Weekly Clarksville chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 185?-1857, 1857-09-11
MlSCELbAAY.
THE MUSICIANS MARRIAGE.

4
Visiting the principal towns of Germany,
the celebrated pianist, Listz, arrived at
Prague in October, 1916.
The day after he came his apartment
was entered by strnger-an old man,
whoseappearance indicated misery and suf-
fering The great musician received him
with cordiality which he would not per-
haps have shown to nobleman. En-
couraged by his kindness, his visitor said
II come to you, sir, as brother. Excuse
me if | take this title, notwithstanding
the distance that divides us; but formerly
I could boast some skill in playing on the
piano, and by giving instruction | gained
comfortable livelihood. Now am old,
feeble, burdened with large family, and
destitute of pupils. live at Nuremburg,
but came to Prague to seek to recover
the remnant Of small property which be-
longed to my ancestors. Although nomin-
ally successful the expense of a long
litigation has more than swallowed up the
triAing sum recovered. Tomorrow l
set out for home-penniless."
"And you have come to me2- You have
done we'll, and I thank you for this proof
of your esteem. To assist brother pro-
fessor is to me more than a duty-it is a
pleasure. Artists should have their purse
in common; and if fortune neglects some
in order to treat Others better than they
\ deserve, it only makes it more necessary
to preserve the equilibrium by fraternal
kindness. That's my system; SO don't
speak of gratitude, for feel that 1 only
discharge a debt" AE
AS he uttered these generous words,
Listz opened drawer in his writing case,
/, and started when he saw that his usual
depository for his money contained but
three ducats He summoned his servant.
"Where is the money! he asked
"There, sir" replied the man, pointing
to the open drawer.
} "Therel Why, there's scarcely any
thing!"
~ know it, sir If you will please to
remember, told you yesterday that the
cash was nearly exhausted" v.
"You see, my dear brother" said Listz
smiling, chat for the moment / am nc
richer than you; but that does not trouble
me: / have credit, and can make money
start from the keys of my piano. How
ever, as you are in haste to leave Prague
and return home, you shall not be delayed
s by my present want Of funds"
So saying, he opened another drawer
and taking out a splendid medallion, gave
it to the old man, "There," said he, "tha
will do 1t was present made me by the
d Emperor of Austria his own portrait sci
in diamonds. The painting is nothing
d remarkable, but the stones are fine. Take
q them and dispose of them, and whatever
they bring shall be yours"
The old musician tried in vain to dc
cline so rich a gift. Listz would no
hear of refusal, and the poor man a
lenth withdrew, invoking the choices
: blessings Of Heaven on his generous bene
: factor. He then repaired to the shop 0
the principal ieweller in the city, in orde
j. to sell the diamonds, Seeing miserabl,
dressed man anxious to dispose Of magni
=. fcent jewels, with whose value he appear
J; ed unacquainted, the master of the shoI
very naturally suspected his honesty; and
whilst appearing to examine the diamond
with close attention, he whispered fey
e e words in the ear of one of his assistants
re The latter went out and speedily returned
accompanied by several soldiers of police
who arrested the unhappy artist, in spit
Of his protestations of innocence.
"You must first come to prison." the
said afterwards you can give an explann
- ton to the magistrate"
,e The prisoner wrote a few lines to hi
benefactor, imploring his assistance List
N hastened to the jeweler. -..
r "Sir," said he, "you have caused tn
Of arrest of an innocent man. Come wit
's me Immediately, aud let us have him re
!, leased. He is the lawful owner of tn
3 jewels in question, for 1 gave them t
him"
=, "But, sir" asked the merchant, VII
ne are yon?'
n "My name is Listz. t .
81 don't know any rich man of th'
nd name"
"That may be; yet | am tolerably We
- known" Ln. n.