The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-10-08
THE MUSICIANS MARRIAGE.

| pianist, Liszt, arrived at Prague In October,
| 1876.
The day after he came, his apartment was
entered by stranger-an old man, whose ap-
pearance indicated misery and suffering. The
| great musician received him with cordiality
which he wonld not, perhaps, have shown to a
nobleman. Encouraged by his kindness, the
visiter said: 81 come to you, sir, as brother
Excuse me if take this title, notwithstanding
the distance that divides MS but formerly /
could boast some skill in playing the piano,
and by giving instruction gained a comforta-
BILE livelihood. Now, l am old, feeble, burden.
ed with large family, and destitute of pupils
l live at Nuremberg, but came to Prague to
recover the remnant Of small property which
belonged to my ancestors Although nominalIy
successful, the expense of a long litigation has
more than swallowed mp the trihing sum re-
covered. Tomorrow, l set out for home
penniless."
Sand you have come to me? You have
done well, and | thank you for this proof of
| Jour esteem. To assist brother professor is
to me more than duty-it is pleasure. Art.
lists should have their purse in common; and
II fortune neglects some, in order to treat others
better than they deserve, it only makes it more
necessary to preserve the equilibrium by fra
ternal kindness. That is my system; so don't
speak of gratitude, for / feel that / only dis.
charge debt"
| AS he uttered these generous words, Liszs
opened his 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.
| "There Why, there is scarcely anything "
II know it, sir. If you please to remember,
! told you yesterday that the cash was nearly
| exhausted"
You see, my dear brother" said Liszt,
smiling, that, for the moment, | 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 a splendid medallion, gave it to the
old man. "There," said he, that will do. 1t
was present made me by the Emperor Of
Austria-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. Liszt would not hear of refusal,
| the choicest blessings Of Heaven on his gener.
| Gus benetactor. He then repaired to the shop
of the principal jeweller in the CITY, in order TO
sell the diamonds. Seeing miserably
man anxious 10 dispose of magnificent Jewels,
with whose value he appeared unacqnainted,
the master of the shop very naturally suspected
his honesty and, while appearing TO examine
the diamonds with close attention, he whispered
| few words In the ear of one of his assistants.
The latter went out, and speedily returned, ac-
companied by several soldiers Of police, who
arrested the unhappy artist, in spite Of his pro-
testations of innocence.
I GU 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. Liszt hasten.
ed to the jeweller.
Sir said he, "you have caused the arrest
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" said the merchant, "who are
you?"
My name is List"
" don't know any rich man of that name"
"That may be; yet / am tolerably well
known"
hrc you aware, Sir, lnAt tnete ulamOnuS are
worth six thousand florins--that is to saw
about five thousand guineas, or twelve thousand
francs?"
$50 much the better for him on whom I
have bestowed them"
" But, in order to make such present, you
must be very wealthy"
"My 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"
" You mast be a magician"
If you choose, III disclose to you the magic
employ"
List had seen piano in tho parlor behind
the shop. He opened it, and ran bis fingers
over the keys, then, seized by sudden inspira.
ton, he improvised one of those soul-touching
symphonies peculiar to himself.
AS he sounded the first chords, beautiful
young lady entered the room. While the mel. |
ody continued, she remained speeches. and
immovable; then, as the last note died away, |
she cried, with irresistible enthusiasm, Bravo,
List! It's wondrousl"
"Dost thou know him, then, my daughter? 2"
asked the jeweer.
"This is the first time have had the pleas
ure of seeing or hearing him." replied she
"but / know that none living save List, could /
draw such sounds from the piano."
Expressed with grace and modsstY, by
young person of remarkable beauty, this admi.
ration could not fell 10 be more than hattering
to the artist. However, after making his best
acknowledgements, List Withdrew, in order to
deliver the prisoner, and was accompanied by
the jeweller.
Grieved at his mistake, the worthy merchant
sought to repair it by inviting the two must.
clans to supper. The honors of the table vera
done by his amiable daughter, who appeared
no less touched at the generosity ofLiszt than
astonished at his talent.
That night, the musicians of the city serena.
ded their illustrious brother. The next day. the
mobiles and most distinguished inhabitants of
Prague presented themselves at the door. They
him to give some concerts, leaving /.
to himself to nix any sum he pleased rs remu.
neration. Then the jewelsr perceived that
talent even in pecuniary light may be more
valuable than tae most precious diamonds.
List continued TO go to his house, and, to the
merchants great JOY, he perceived that his
daughter was the canse Of his visits. he be.
gan to love the company Of the musician and
the fair girl, his only child, certainly did not
hate it.
One morning, the iewelIer, coming 10 the
point with German frankness, said to Liszt- I
SHOW do you like my daughter9"
"She is an angeli"
"What do you think of marriagefn
l think so well Of it, that have the great.
est possible inclination TO try it." I
What would You say to fortune Of three
million francsp"
~ would willingly accept it,
" Wall wa unHarotanI /