True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-05-05
a PRETTK STORK.
The Musicians Marriage.

The Musicians Marriage.
After having passed the summer in
visiting the principle towns in Germany,
The celebrated pianist, Lislz, arrived at
Prague, in October, ls46.
The day after he came, his apartment
was so entered by stranger old man,
whose appearance indicated misery aud
suffering. The great musician received
him with great cordialty, which he would
not perhaps have shown to nobleman.
Encouraged by his kindness, the visitor
said:
II come 10 you, sir, as brother. Ex-
cuse me if take this title, notwithstanding
the distance that divides us but formerly
could boast some skill in playing the
piano, and by giving instruction | gained
comfortable livelihood. Now am old,
feeble, burdened with large family, and
destitute of pupils. live in Nuremburg,
but came 10 Prague 10 seek to recover
the remnant Of small property which
belonged to my ancestors. Although
nominally successful, the expenses of a
long litigation has more than swallowed
up the triaing sum ] recovered. To-
morrow sci out for home-penniless J.
"And you have come to mee You have
done well, and | thank you for this proo
of your esteem. To assist brother
professor is 10 me more than a duty-i
is a pleasure. Artists should have thei
purse in common; and if fortune neglect'
some in order to treat others better thar
they deserve, it only makes it more ne
cessary 10 preserve the equilibrium BY
fraternal kindness. That's my system
SO don't speak of gratitude, for feel tha
l only discharge debt"
AS he uttered these generous words
I.isiz opened drawer in his writing case
and started when he saw that his usua
depository for his money contained bu
three ducats. He summoned his servant
"Where is the money :" he asked.
"There, sir" replied the man, pointin!
to the open drawer.
"There! why there's scarcely any
thing"
81 know it, sir. Ifyou please to re
member, l told you yesterday that th'
cash was nearly exhausted"
"You see, my dear brother" sail
Listz, smiling, "lhst for the moment,
am no richer than you; but that does no
trouble me; have credit, and l cal
make money star. from the keys of m!
piano. However, as you are in haste Il
leave Prague and return home, you shal
not be delayed by my present want
funds"
So saying, he opened another drawer
and taking out splendid medallion, gav'
it TO the old man.
"There," said he, "that will do. l
was present made me by the Empero
of Austria his own portrait set in dia
monds. The painting is nothing remark
able, but the stones are fine. Take then
and dispose of them, and whatever they
bring shall be yours"
The old musician tried in vain TO de
cline SO rich gift. Listz would no
hear refusal, and the poor man at length
Withdrew, invoking the choicest blessing
Of heaven on his generous benefactor.- =
+ He then repaired to the shop Of the plin
cipal jeweler in the city, in order 10 sci
the diamonds. Seeing miserable dres
, sed man anxious to dispose ofmagnifcen
Jewels, with whose value be appeare,
unacquainted, the master Of the shop yer,
i naturally suspected his honesty, and Will
, appearing to examine the diamonds witt
; close attention, he whispered few word
in the ear of one OF his assistants. 'Th
latter went out and soon returned, accom-
panied by several soldiers Of police, VIII
arrested the unhappy artist, in spite Of hi
pro,estations Of innocence.
"You must first come to prison." the,
said; "aflerwards you can give an expls
nation 10 the magistrate"
the prisoner wrote few lines to hi
benefactor, implorng his assistance :
) Lirz hastenend to the jeweler.
"Sir," said he, "you have caused th
arrest of an innocen, man. Come wit
me Immediately and let us have him rt
}, leased. He is the lawful owner of th
= jewels in question; for ] gave them t
;, him."
y "But, sir" said the merchant, "wh
! are you!"
y "My name is Listz."
0 IL don't know any rich man Of the
. name."
u "Thst may be; yet am tolerably we
. known"
d "Are you aware, sir, that these di
monds are worth six thousand FORMS
Ia that is to say, about FIVE thousand guine,
. or twelve thousand francs."
. $50 much the better for him on who
til have bestowed Them"
q "But, in order TO make such preasa
you must be very wealthy
my actual fortune consists of thr
f ducats." ~
u "Then you are q magician r.
ID "By no means and yet, by just m
y wing my fingers, ! can obtain as mu
Of money as wish" - .s,.o sI.,