Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-03-19
amusing 1eaomg,
: MUSIC VS.. DEATH.

Strauss was man of remarkable genius,
and not only developed the powers of the
German dance in an unprecedented degree,
but influenced the whole of modern music
Composers of no mean note, although not
of the first class, were known to visit Vienna,
to get themes for new operas from Strauss S
new waltzes, His decease reminds US of a
capital story which appeared in some German
paper, shortly after the cholera of 1882.
We heard it from clever Viennese muSi-
clan, and wish that we could give it with the
spirit of his side-splitting recital. Here it
is as we remember it:
When the cholera was at its height, Deah
knocked one morning on the panel of Strauss s
chamber; having an old woman by his side,
whom he picked up at the next door
s'Come, Strauss" said the grim sheriff
who collects natures debts, "you must go
along with me-
with you" exclaimed the terrified
musician; I. no l can't, l won't. lam on
ly thirty years Of age. Do, spare me lit
tie longer
"No Strauss, you must come, don't keep
me waiting; I have an immensely to do
these stirring times"
"Oh! can't go; | am making thirty
thousand thalers year. You can't be so
hard hearted as to take away from Vienna a
man only thirty years old, with thirty thou
b sand thalers year."
.:None of your nonsense. Hard-heartcd!
Don't you see throug gh my ribs that have
no heart at all Come along, Strauss, come
alopgr'
but consider, Death, what the Emperor
will think of you, and how the whole Court
will vote you bore, if they get no new
waltzes next winter" -.s@
'Pshaw for your Emperor. I'll take
him off if he says much. should like to
see them put Death out of fashion,
"Well then, since I must go, let me play
one more waltz before I leave my darling in
strument," pleaded the poor trembler.
"So you may, but see that it is good
one," answered Death, cooking his ear like
connoisseur. Strauss played the waltz,
Death making the measure complacently,
and saying, when it was done, with patron
izing air, "Pretty well, Strauss, you may
play another"
Strauss began in a more spirited strain
Death kept the time with hand and foot;
the old woman kept time also, until, unable
to resist the more than magical impulse, he
threw his arms about her, and around and
around spun Death and the old woman.
Strauss, playing for the little remnant of his
life, showedno signs of WEAKNESS, but Death
was getting exhausted and giddy. "Stop,
Strauss! stopv' he cried; but Strauss play
ed on. "Stop, I say Strauss Strauss
only put on crescendo. "Strauss! Strauss!
can't stop myself unless you stop-so stop
Isay!"
"Will you release ME clear, if I stop"
asked Strauss
az can't-do-that," says Death, pitia-
bly, gasping out his word.
"Then you shall waltz on" answered
Strauss, exulting in his power to create a
soul under the ribs of Death. At last
Death, beaten out, says, still whirling like
dervish, "Tll make-a bargain-with-
YOU
"What is it ?" replied Strauss, playing
yet more furiously.
" You-shall live four years longer-if
you-will pay me-instead-- of your life
the lives of-6fty thousand other-people
each year,
wDone :" cried Strauss
"So, ever since, fifty thousand people
have each year killed themselves dancing
Strauss waltzes"