Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-08-13

music7"
"Nevcr, excepting tho music In the
streets"
She seemed frightened 30 Beethoven did
no, add another word bu, quietly seated
himself at the instrument, and commenced
to play. He bad no, touched many notes
when guessed what would follow, and
how sublime he would be ,ha, evening;
and was not deceived. Never, never. dur.
ing the many years knew him, didt hear
him play as on this day for the young blind
girl and brother Never did hear such
energy, such passionate tenderness, such
grada,ious OF melody and modulation.-
From the momen, his fingers commenced TO
move over the piano, the tones Of the ins,rd-
men, seemed to soften and become more
equal.
We remained sitting, listening 10 him
bres,hlcssly. Tie brother and sister were
dumb with a.tonishment, as IL paralyred.
Tho former had laid aside his work; the
latter. her head slightly inclined, had ap-
preached tho instrument, her two hands
were ela'ped on her breast, as IL she feared
beating Of her heart might interrupt those
accents Of magic sweetness. I. seemed as II
we were the subjects Of strange dream, aud
our only fear was to wake too soon.
suddenly the flame Of tho solitary candle
hiekercd, the wick, consumed TO the end,
fell and was cItlngui.bed. Beethoven stop
pei, opened the shutters to let in the
rays OF tho moon. II became almost as
light as before in the room, aud the rad-
ancc fel! more strongly on the musician and
tho instrument.
Bu, this incident seemed TO have broken
the chain Of Beethoven. IDEAS. Ill. head
dropped on his breast, his hand. rested on
his knees, be appeared plunged into pro-
found meditation.
=. Ile remained - for some time. A, las.
the young shoemaker rose, approached him,
and said in low, respectful voice, " Won.
derful mau, who are you then?"
! Beethoven rnisel HI. head. and looked at
him abstrac,clly, as II he had no, coupro.
hcnded the meaning Of hi, words.
The young man repeated the question.
The composer smiled as only he could
smile, such sweetness aud kinsly bencvo.
lencc.
" Listen" said be. And he played the
first mo,emen, IN the SYMPHONY.
a cry Of JOY escaped from the lips Of the
brother aud sister. They recognized him,
and cried with emotion, You arc then
Beethoven"
7 lie ross to 60. bu. our cn,reatie. succeeded
in detaining HIN.
4" Play TO US once more, just once more
p. lIe allowed himself to be led to the in,iru.
men;. Tho brilliant light OF the moon en-
tered the eur,ainlC-s window, and lighted
up his expansive. earnest forehead.
Z" am going to improyi,, a sonata TO the
moonlight, said hsplayfully. lie conteln.
plated for some minutes tho sky 'prinklei
with stars; then his fingers rested on the
piano. and he commenced to play in low
sal, bu, wonderon.ly sweet strain. Tn,
harmony i'ued from the instrument. sweet
and even as the rays Of tho moon spread
over the shadows on the ground. This de-
licious overture was followed by piece in
triple time, lively, light. caprleious, a sort
Of intermediate burle-que, like a dance o
fairies at midnight on the grass. Then
came rapid aciiaio JfHalc-a breathle-'
movement, trembling, hurryins, describing
aght and uncertainty. inspiring vague aud
instructive terror, which bore US onward OF
its shudiering wings, and left Us at last
quite asitated with surprise and moved ,C
tcar-.
"Adieu." said Beethoven, abruptly push
Ing back hi' chair, aud advancing to III,
door" Adicu 80
"You will come aguin7' asked both a
the same time.
IIestoppcd, and regarded the young blind
girl with an air Of compassion.
"Ye', yes" said he hurriedly, II vii
come again and give some lessons to Mad
emioscllc. Farewell, will soon com,
again"
They followed US to the door in silence
more expressive than words, and remaineC
standing on the threshold ull we were ou
OF sight.
"I.et us hasten home.' said Beethoven
to me in the street =" L., US hasten, tha
may note down this s0aaia while it Is il
my memory"
lie entered his room, and wrote till nearly
daybrcak.
I still sat in listening attitude after ,h'
old musician had finished speaking.
: e" And dad Beethoven give lessons after
: ward. TO tho blind sirl asked at length.
lie smiled and shook lns head sadly.
Beethoven never entered that humble
house again. With tho excitement Of the
moment, hi. interest IN the blind girl ais,
, passed away and though the brother an,
sister long and patiently waited his com
Jog. he thought no more OF them"
And il it not too often - in life!
DSPERAIg UNDERTAKING. There Is {
divine out west trying To persuade girls /,