Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-09-17
Gboite Misttltang,
THE MUSICIANS MARRIAGE

After having passed the summer in visit
ing the principal towns of Germany, the
celebrated pianist List arrived at Prague
in October, 1876.
The day after he came, his apartment was
entered by a stranger an old man, whose
appearance indicated misery and suffering.
The great musician received him with a
cordiality which he would not, perhaps,
have shown to a nob!eman.' Encouraged
BY his kindness, his visitor said, 81 come to
you, sir, as brother. Excuse me if I take
this title, notwithstanding the distance that
divides us; but formerly could boast some
skill in playing on the piano. and sy giving
instruction | gained comfortable liveli-
hood. Now am old. feeble, burdened with
large family, and destitute Of pupils. |
live at Nuremberg, but came to Prague to
seek. to recover the remnant of small
property which belonged to my ances-
tors. Although nomintly successful, the
expense Of long litigation has more
than swallowed up the trifing sum ] re-
covered 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 brother profess
sor is to me more than duty-it is pleas
ure. Artists should have their purse in
common; and If fortune neglects some in
o,der to treat others better than they de-
serve, it only makes it necessary to pre-
serve the equilibrium by fraternal kindness.
That is my system; so don't speak of graft
tude; for feel that only discharge debt. VI
As he uttered these generous words
Liszt opened drawer in his writing-case
and started when he saw that his usual de.
pository for his money contained but :hree
ducsts He summoned his servant
"Where is the money!" he asked.
"There, sir," replied the man, pointing tt
the open drawer.
"There! Why, there is scarcely any
thing!
al know it, sir. If you please to remem
Der, I told you yesterday that the cssh wa
nearly exhausted"
"You see, my dear brother" said List
smiling, "that. for the moment, | am M
richer than you. But that does not trouble
me. have credit, and can make none,
start from the keys of my piano. However
rs YOU are in haste to leave Prague and re
turn home, you shall not be delayed by m
present want of funds"
So saying, he opened another drawer, ane
taking out splendid medallion. gave It
the old man. "There." said he, "that, wi
do. 1t was a present made me by the En-
peror of Austria-his own portrait, set j
diamonds. The painting is nothing remark
able, but the stones are fine. Take theI
and dispose o. them, and whatever the
bring shall be yours"
The old musician tried in vain to declin
80 rich gift. List would not hear of
refusal, and the poor man at length witt
drew, invoking the choicest blessings
Heaven on his generous benefactor. He the
repaired to the shop of the principal jewell
in the city, in order to sell the diamonds
Seeing miserably dressed man anxious
dispose OF magnificent jewels with who'
value he appeared unacquainted, the mast
of the shop very naturally suspected h
honesty; and, while appearing to examiI
the diamonds with close attention, he viii
rered Few words in the ear Of one of b
assistants. The latter went Out, and spec
lily returned, accompanied by several 81
diers of police, who arrested the unhaP
artist, in spite of his protestations Of inn
cence.