Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-24
THE MUSICIANS MARRIAGE.

pianist, LlteL, arrived st rra8ue III OOVo"oi,
lS46.
The day after he came, his apartment was
entered by a stranger-an old man, whose aP-
pearance indicated misery and suffering. The
great musician received him with cordiality
which he would not perhaps have shown to
nobleman. Encourged by his kindness, his Wis
itor said :
81 come to you, sir, a brother. Excuse me
If / take this title, Notwithstanding the distance
that divides US; but formerly 1 could boast some
skill in playing on the piano, and by giving in
structiOn / gained q comfortable livelihood.
Now L am old, feeble, burdened with large
family, and destitute of pupils. L live at Nu-
remburg, but came to Prague to seek to recover
the remnant of q small property which belonged
TO my ancestors. Although nominally success
full, the expense of long litigation has more
than swallowed up the trihing sum recovered.
Tomorrow / set out for hOme-penniless.
" And you have come to me? You have done
well, and | thank you for this proof of your
esteem. To assist a brother professor is to me
more than a duty-it is a pleasure. Artists
should have their purse in common; and if for
tune elects some in order to treat others bet
ter than they deserve, it only makes il more
necessary to preserve the equilibrium by fra
ternal kindness. That's my system so don't
speak of gratitude, for L feel that only dis
charge debt"
As he uttered these generous words, Listz
opened a drawer in his writing case, and start
ed when he saw that his usual depository for
his money contained but three dueats. He
summoned his servant.
Where is the money" he asked
There, sir" replied the man, pointing to
the open drawer.
There, Why, there's scarcely anything
know it, sir. If you please to remember.
told you yesterday that the cash was nearly
exhausted
You see sny dear brothsr,r said Listz,
smiling, :" that for the moment l am no richer
than you; but that does not trouble me !; / have
credit, and can make money start from the
keys OF my piano. However, as you are in haste
to leave Prague and return home, you shall not
be delayed by my present want Of funds
SO saying, he opened another drawer, and
taking out splendid medallion, gave it to the
old man. I" There said he, - that will do. It
was present made me by the Emperor of Aus
trla; his own portrait set in diamonds. The
painting is nothing remarkable, but the stones
are fine Take them and dispose of them, and
whatever they bring shall be yours"
The old musician tried in vain to decline so
rich gift Listz would not hear of a refusal,
and the poor man at length withdrew, invoking
the choicest blessings Of heaven on his gener.
Gus benefactOr. He then repaired to the shop
of the principal jeweler in the city in order to
sell the diamonds. Seeing miserably- dressed
man anxious to dispose of magnificent Jewels
with whose vOlue he appeared unacquainted
the master OF the shop very naturally sus-
pected his honesty; and while appearing to ex-
anime the diamonds with close attention he
whispered a few words in the ear of one of his
assistants The latter went out and speedily
returned, accompanied by several soldiers Of
police, who arrested the unhappy artist, in spite
OF his prOtestations Of innocence.
" You must first come to prison." they said,
afterwards you can give an explanation to
the magistrate
The prisoner wrote few lines to his bene-
factor, implOring his assistance. Listz has
tened to the jeweller.
zaIH ha = hava al ~
OF an innocent man. Come with me immedi-
ately, and let us have him released. He is the
lawful owner Of the jewels in question, for
gave them to HIM -
"But, SIR asked the merchant, who are
you'' ~
My name is Listz''
- 1 don't know any rich man Of that name
That may be; yet L am tolerably well
known
Are you aware, sir, that these diamonds
are worth six thousand FORMS that is to say,
about FIVE thousand guineas, or twelve thou
sand francs?''
so much the better for him on whom have
bestowed them"
"a But in order to make such a present you
must be very wealthy"
Ny actual fortune consists of three ducats''
Then you are a magician ?''
By no means; and yet, by just moving my
fingers, can obtain as much money as wish. I"
% You must be q magician" '"
" III you choose, / ii disclose to you the magic
! employ"
ListZ had seen q piano in the parlor behind
the shop. lie opened it and ran his fingers over
the keys; then, seized by sudden inspiration
he lmprOVlSed one of those sOul-tOuching SYM
phOnies peculiar to himself
AS he sounded the first chords beautiful
young girl entered the room. While the melody
continued she remained speechless and immoya-
bic; then, as the last note died away, she cried
with irresistible enthusiasm, . Bravo, Listz
It's wOndrous -
- Dost thou know him, then, my daughter"
asked the ieweler.
g This is the first time have had the pleas
ure Of seeing or hearing him." replied she
" but know that none living, save Listz could
draw such sounds from the piano.
Expressed with grace and modesty, by a
young person OF remarkable beauty, this ad-
miratiOn could not fail to be more than fatter-
ing TO the artist However, after making his
best Acknowledgements, Listz withdrew, in order
10 denver the prisoner, and was accompanied
by the jeweer.
Grieved at his mistake the worthy merchant
sought to repair it, by inviting the two musi-
clans to supper The honors Of the table were
done by his amiable daughter, who appeared
no less touched at the generosity Of Listz than
ast0nished at his talent.
That night the musicians Of the city sere-
naded their ilustrious brother The next day
the MOBILES and most distinguished inhabitants
OI Prague presented themselves at bis door
They entrested him to give some concerts, leav-
ing 1t to himself to fix any sum he pleased
as enumeration. Then the jeweler per-
csiVed that talent, even in a pecuniary light,
may De more valuable than the most precious
diamonds. ListZ continued 10 90 t0 his house
and, to the merchants great joy, he perceived
that his daughter was the cause of these visits
He began to love the company of the musician,
and the fair girl, his only child, certainly did
not hate il.
One morning the ieweler comio, 10 III, ,o;D,
with German frankness, said to Listz:
I" How do you like my daughter?''
g She is ANGEL
What do you think Of marriage2''
" think 80 well of il, that have the greatest
possible inclination TO try it.
What would you say to a fortune of three
million francs l'
would willingly accept it,