Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-10-30
Misttllaneoms.
BEETHOVEN AND THE BLIND GIRL
FRom rms oERMAx.


eceivcd the following anccdotc. /
"You know" said he, "that Beethoven I
vas born in house in the Rhein Grasse {
Rhine Street) but at the time became ac- {
luainted with him he lodged over humble
title shop in the Roemerplatz. He was
hen very poor, so poor that he only went {
out to walk at night, because of the dilapi-
dated state Of his clothing. Nevertheless,
he had piano, pens, paper, ink and books;
and Notwithstanding his privations, he
passed some happy moments there. He
was not yet deaf, and could at least enjoy
the harmony of his own compositions. In
later years, even this consolation was de-
MED him.
"One Winter evening called upon him,
hoping to persuade him to take a walk,
and return with mo to supper. found
him sitting at the window, in the moonlight
without fire or candle, his face concealed by
his hands, and his whole frame shivering
with cold, for it was freezing hard. By
slow degrees | drew him from his lethargy,
persuaded him to accompany me, and ex-
horted him to shake off his sadness. Ho
came out with mo but was dark and des-
pairing on that evening, and refused all con-
ISOLATION.
az hate tho world said he with pas
sion. Il hate myself. No one understands
me or cares about me; have genius, and
am treated like pariah; have a heart,
and no one to love. am completely mis-
erable.'
II made no reply. 1t was useless to dis
putc with Beethoven, and let him contin-
ne in the same strain. He did not cease
till we re-entered the city, and then he re-
lapsed into sad silence. We crossed a
dark, narrow street, near the gate of Cob
lcntz. All,at once he stopped.
"'Hushr said he; what is that noise?'
81 listened, and heard the faint tones of
an old piano issuing from some house at a
little distance. 1t was plaintive melody
in triple time, and notwithstanding the pow
erty of the instrument, the performer gave
to this piece great tenderness of expression.
"Beethoven looked at me with sparkling
eyes. 1T is taken from my symphony in
F. said he 'here is the house. Listen how
well it is played
"The house was poor and humble, and a
light glimmercd through the chinks of the
shutter. He stopped to listen. In the
middle Of the finale there was a sudden in
ltcrruation, silence for moment, and then
a stihed voice was heard.
al cannot 90 on said female voice
4 can 90 no farther this evening, Freder,
lex
"'Why, sisterP
az scarcely know, unless it is because
the composition is so beautiful that | fee
incapable of doing justice to it. | am SC
fond of music. Oh! what would not give
to hear that piece played by some one who
could do it Justice
"Ah, dear sister, said Frederick, sigh
ing, 'one must be rich to procure that en-
Ijoyment What is the use of regrcttng
when there is no help for it2 We car
scarcely pay our rent; why think Of thing
far beyond our roachf
"'You are right Frederick; and ye
when 1 am playing long once in my lif
to hear good music well executed. But i
is useless it is usclessl
'There was something singularly touch
ing in the tone and repetition of the las
words.
"Beethoven looked at me. Let us en-
ter said he abruptly.
"'Enterr said l why should we enter 7
"1 will play to her. replied he, with v
e vacity. She has feeling, genius, INTEL
. gcnce; l will play TO her and she will al
s prcciate me- And befor, could proven
:, him, his hand was on the door. 1t wa
$. not locked, and opened Immediately.
;, u followed him across dark corridor, toward
{ half-open door to the right He pushe
e it, and we found ourselves in poor dest
tute room, with little stove at one enc
r and some coarse furniture. A pale youn
man was seated at table, working at
shoe. Near him, bending in melanchol
manner over an old piano, was youn
girl. Both were cleanly, but very poorl
dressed; they rose and turned towards us I
we entered.
"'Pardon me- said Beethoven, somewhi
embarrassed, pardon me, but l heard MI
sic, and was tempted to enter. am mi
sicianp
"The girl blushed, and the young ma
assumed grave, almost severe manner.
al heard also some of your words col
tinued my friend. You wish to hear
that is you would lke-in short, would yo
like me to play to your
"Thcre was something so strange, so a
rupt, so comical, in the whole affair, ar
something so agreeable and eccentric
tho manner of him who had spoken, thi
the ice was broken in an instant, and all il
voluntarily smiled.
"Thank YOU said the young shoemakc
but our piano is bad and then We have
musicP
"No musicr repeated my friend; 'ho
then did Mademoiselle--' He stoppc
and coloured; for the young girl had ju
turned towards him, and by her sad veile
eyes he saw that she was blind.
"I-I entreat you to pardon me- star
mered he; 'but did not remark at first
You play thon from memoryP
"'Entirely.'
b "'And whore have you heard this mus
beforep
al heard lady who was a neighbor
Bruhl, two years ago. During the Summ
evenings her window was always open, al
| walked before the house to hear her.
"'And you have never heard any 9th
musicg
"Neyer, excepting the music in Il
Streets
sShe seemed frightened; so Beethoys
did not add another word, but quietly sea