The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-01-29

bench, working az his trade. Near him, lean
ing moodiy on an antique harpsichord, was a
sair yorny girl. upon whose figure fell pro-
fus on o. fair tresses. Both were decently,
but poorly clad. Both rose in surprise as we
| entered.
".Pardon me, said Beethoven, somewhat en-
barrassed. Pardon me, but heard music,
and vas tempted to enter. ] am a mu-
scian.'
ssThe young girl blushed, and the young
man assumed a severe, almost irritated man.
s.sI heard also part of your discourse, ,
continued my { lend. 'Yon desire to hear
that is, you would like--in short, shall | play
you n,orcean7'
.'Thero was something so strange, so comic
al. SO abrupt in all this. beside, something so
pleasant and eccentric in the manner of him
who had spoken, that the ice was instantly
broken, and all smiled involuntarily. .Ee
"I thank you,' said the shoemaker; 'b1t the
harpsichord is bad, and then we have no mu-
sic.
"'No musicp repeated my friend. How
then did the f,auieim-- ... s.
"He stopped and colored. for, as the young
girl turl ell her sad and sightless eyes toward
him, he perceived that she was blind. ..s.
".I hope Won will forgive me- he STAN
mered, but had not noticed. You play, then,
from memory" ..-...-.
".Entirely' -..r ....... ..s s.a-
".And where did you hear this music, since
Won do not attend concerts?'
eel heard lady, who was our neighbor
when we lived at Bruhl, two years ago. Du.-
ing summer evenings her window was always
open and walked to aud (, % efore the house,
20 as to hear her.
a"'And you have never heard any other mu-
sic?' #
"Never-except the music in the Streets
"She seemed embarrassed; so Beethoven
said no more, but quietly seated himself at the
harrsch and commenced T., play. He
had uo sooner commenced The first notes, than
[ avined what was about to follow, and how
sublime he would be that evening"! And Twas
aot deceived Never, never during the year
hat knew him intimately, did ] hear him
play as he played for the young blind girl and
her brother Never die hear so much ener-
", so much passionate tenderness, so' many
Infinite eradations of melody and modula'ion!
lie was truly inspired; and from The moment
that his fingers commenced to move upon the
harps chord, the notes of the instl ument seem
ed TO soften aud become more regular. We
remained seated, listening breathlessly. The
brother ~ sister were mute with astouish-
ment, and as if in an ecstasy. The former
had put aside his work; the latter, her head
slightly inclined forward, had approached the
end of the hari schord, and joined her hands
on her breast, as If she feared the pslpitation
of her heart would interrupt those accents ct
such magic sweetness. II seemed as if We
weie prey 10 a strange Ieverie, ard our only
ear was that of being too soon aroused.
s'Suddenly the flame Of the o"ly candle tot
,ered, and The wick. consumed TO the v,ry end,
fell and went out. Beethoven st ppea. !
opened the shutters to let in the rays If tie
mo IA. II appeared in the chamber alnos, as
clear as before, and the light beamed more
na aturaily Oh the musician and the harpsi
chord.
ssBut this incident seemed TO have broken
the chain of BeeShoyeE's idsaa Ills head in
clined Oh his breast. and has Hands resli, on
hls ki ees, he appeared plunged in a profound
meditation. He remained so for some time
A, last, the young corlwaiuer arose. approach
ed him, and said in deep and respectful
tone- a
'''Astonishing . man, who then are you?'
Bee thoven raised his head aud regarded
him wh an distracted air, as if he had not
comprehended the meaning of his words The
shoemaker, repeated the question:. The COM
poser smiled, as he alone knew how 10 smle,
with prince!y sweetness and benevolence.
''.Listen' said he-and he played the first
measures of the +. symphony. An -xclama-
ton OF JOY escaped the lips Of the brother
aud sister. They recognize 1t, and exc'aim-
ed
"'Yoa are indeed Beethoyen' Ana they
covered his hands with kisses and tears.
''lie arose to deTari, but our enti ea,es pre-
vailed on h,m 10 remain. 5...
'sPiay for US on e more-only once more.'
''iie all wed himself to be led 10 the instrl-
ment. The rays of the moon entered brilliant.
ly through the curtalnless windows, and lllu-
mined his massive and stern forehead
s''I am about to improvise Sonata to the
Brightness of the Moonv said he, with play
fal air. He coutemplaed for some moments
the heavens strewn with stars; then resting his
fingers on the keys, he began 10 play in bass,
sad, but infinitely agreeable tone. Harmony
left the instrument sweet and equal as the
brightness hich the mon dispe, ses over the
shades of the earth. This delicious overture
was followed by lively, light. capricious
piece arranged to triple time, (morceuu trois
temps la sort Of intermediate buriesque, tiks
a moonlight dance on the green turf Then
came a rapid agitato fmaie--a painting, trem-
bling, precipitate movement, describing flight
and uncertainty. q vague and instructive ter-
ror, which bore MS Oh its trembling wings, and
finally left US all emotion and surprise.
"'Adieup said Beethoven, abruptly rising
from his seat and moving toward the door
sAdieu! ssst ssse
Va, x.,sn a Il Al III