Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-05-29
From the London Leisure Hour.
THE SINGING BIRDS.

Braken who occupied an old-hshiOned house.
built in the Spanish style, directly upon the
waters edge.
Now, as l consider it necessary to the III
terest of my story that the reader should hrst
have some slight acquaintance with Its prom
inent characters, will begin by giving a
rough outline of Van Braken.
At this time he was about sixty years of
AGE. with smallpinched.up face, surmoun ted
by Aaxen peruke, too short by three fin
GERS for the fashion, and his old appearance
Would attract the attention of stranger.
His costume was striking-cOat and breeches
of bottle-green cloth, and long wooden stock
incs, mixed with gray and white.
A fine musician, and at an early age dis
tinguished composer, Van Braken left Vien-
ma when his name was beginning to be
known, and his reputation established. In
vain did his friends urge him to remain.
Van Braken was immovable in his resolution,
and the motives which Induced him to dsre-
gard what seemed to be his best interest
were impenetrable.
For two years he travelled at random
through Italy and Germany and when, at
the end of that time, he woke to the knowl-
edge that his purse was empty, and he must
work in order to live. he went to Bruges in
search of employment, and obtained shortly
after situation as organist in the cathedral.
| Now, after the constant excitement and
change of travel, Van Braken gave up his
whole time and thought to this one object
his art-and began life as monOtonous as
the former one had been varied. He passed
whole days at the organ, entirely absorbed
in his beloved instrument and wholly igno-
rant of, and Indifferent to, objects and events
of the world about him. With his hands
idly wandering over the keys, his head bowed,
and his eyes closed, Van Braken breathed his
whole soul into those wonderful improvisa-
tions of sacred music which more than suffi-
ced him for companionship, SO that he never
felt his isolation from the world. Often,
when the crowd of worshippers had long
since dispersed, and the nave was wholly de-
serted, the powerful voice Of the organ still
echoed through the cathedral arches.
In the eyes of the world, Van Braken was
great artist, and his calm, solitary existence
was natural consequence of his genius.
He was twenty years old when first he en-
tered the cathedral at Bruges-he was fifty
when he left it, Thirty years had he passed
within its walls-ah, we'll during those
thirty years no one had troubled himself con-
cerning the griefs and joys of the poor organ
list no one had had the curiosity or the cha
rity to ask if he were happy or miserable.
In consequence of sprained wrist, occa-
stoned by q severe fall, Van Braken perceiv-
ed with unutterabe sorro this overthrow
of happiness which he had for so many years
enjoyed-that his execution, formerly so
brilliant, had become heavy and unequal, so
that it was impossible for him to continue
his occupation !; therefore he did not hesitate
to resign his post.
| Van Braken, after his decision, left Bruges,
and took up his residence in Anvers, where,
although he had become unable to play him
self, he was fully capable of instructing 9TH
ers, and accordingly obtained a number Of
| scholars, at remuneration sufficient to sup
| port bin in his usual simple and frugal style
of living.
Unfortunately for the poor man, his pupils
were all hopelessly stupid and, as patience
was not his predominant characteristic, each
hair of his flaken peruke stood upright when
ever false note Jared upon his ears, and his
thin legs twisted themselves in every variety
of ccntOrtion upon the rounds of his chair.
When the same fault occurred for the tenth
time in the very same passage he would cross
his arms, and, looking at his pupil with Sc
verify, say :-"I steal your money, you steal
my time. Henceforth | am, when we chance
to meet, your very humble servant Van
Braken ;" then take his hat and rush from the
house, muttering to himself
At last, Van Barken scOldcd all his schol-
ars the same day, and renounced his occupa-
ton forever. Still he did not wish to remain
in idleness, and Immediately began looking
about him for some employment, whereby to
gain his living. Chance favored him.
One evening, as Van Braken was taking
his accustomed walk, he noticed at the door
of little shop an old-fashoned spinet and q
large cage of canaries. He at first priced
the birds, though he did not intend to pur-
chase them in order TO open the way for a
bargain about the spinet, to which he took q
fancy.
The shopkeepcr asked hundred ducats
for the canarics, and offerci the spnet for
four. the orgaList took out his purse and
counted the four ducats, making signs to a
porter who was passing to carry the instru-
ment to his house.
"Wili the gentleman not take the cana.
ries?' asked the shopkeeper; /" they are not
dear-and he will never again find such an
opportunity
:" A hundred ducats :" repeated Van Bra
hen, in astOnishment 1T might as we'll be
five hundred"
"I would have you observe" continued
the shopkeeper, mildly, "that they are al
blind, and in perfect health"
The musician grew purple with anger al
what seemed to him nothing less than al
insult. Indeed p said he, with sham sim
plicity.
"Alas !" sighed the shopkeeper, " they
are the best singers Of poor M. rauwer
who has lately died in Brussels"
"Ah, truly, is he deada" asked Van Bra
ken.
Yes, he died month ago." was the re.
ply. No one has ever equalled his collec
ton of singing birds.
This gave new light to Van Braken. HI
had often heard of these collections of cana
ries, and of competitions among the owners
in which a considerable sum was awarded tt
the proprietor of the bird who repeated it.
song the greatest number of times in giver
period, calculated by the chronometer.-
The organist reflected some moments. az
that your lowest price ?" said he, raising Iii:
head.
That is my lowest price," answered the
shopkeeper, with emphasis. an. Stevens
OF Lille, would agree to any amount might
name, if he knew that these were the birds
which belonged to poor NJ. Brunwer."
"Stovens - exclaimed Van Braken. turn.
ing pale: ga composer, is he not A tall
handsome fellow, with bushy black hair ?"
Tall-yes; but handsome-no," replied
the shopkeeper. GAS to his hair, cannot
tell you what color it is, except that he ha.
great deal of it,"
An, yes, it is the same' said the organ
lst, sadly; she has been on the watch, too
"He is always successful at the different
competitions" was the reply, "and more
dreaded than any one by the different socie
ties"
els he ?" asked Van Braken, tartly.
"Yes,' said the shopkeeper, sand he will
gain the prize this year."
awe will see about that" exclaimed tn.