Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-08-13
MIS- CELIA N Y.
From TIE German.
Beethoven and the Blind Girl.


Some months ago, was at Bonn, the
birthplace Of Beethoven. met there an
Old musician, who had known tae illustrious
composer Intimately and from him re-
ceiyed the following anecdo,e;
You know. said he, tha. Beethoven was
born in house in the Rheiu S,rassc (Rhine
street y but q, the time | became acquain,-
cd with him no lodged over an humble
little shop IN Roemerplaz. lie was then
very poor, 50 poor that be only went out to
walk at night. because Of the dilapida,si
state Of his clothing. Nevertheless. he had
u piano. pens, paper, ink and books: and
Notwithstanding his privations, ho passed
some happy moments there. llo Was not
yet deal, and could at least enjoy tho har.
mony OF hi. own compositions. In later
years. even this consolation was denied bin.
One winter evening called upon him,
hoping u persuade him to take walk. and
return with me to supper. found him
sitting at tile window, in tho moonlight.
without Gre or candle. his face concealed by
his hands. and hi' whole frame shiSering
with cold. for il was freezing hard. by
slow degrees drew him FROM hls le,harsy,
persuaded him to toaccompany me, AMI eHhor-
ted him 10 shake of his sadness. lie came
out with me, but was dark and dc-pairing
on that evening, and refused all consolation.
"l hate the world" said ho with pas.
SION. 81 hato myself Noone understands
Tue or cares Abou, mo; | have genius. and
Am treated like pariah; have a heart
and no one to love. / am completely mis-.
crablc"
mado no reply. twas useless to dispute
with Beethoven. and let him continue in
the same strain. lle did not coaso till We
re-eniercd ,hc city, and then ho relapsed
into sad silence. wc crossed dark, nar-
row street, near the cato Of CObIsniz. All
n, once he stopped.
"llush =" said he, "what is that noise ~
listened, and hcard the faint tones Of
an old piano issuing from some house at q
little distance. IL was a Plain,iSo melody
in triple time. aud, Notwithstanding tie
poverty Of the instrument, the performer
gave to this piece, great tenderness Of eE-
preston.
Beethoven looked at me with sparkling
eyes. "lt i. taken from my symphony in
f." said ho. "hero il the hous,. Listen ;
how well it is played"
The house was poor aud humble, and a
light glimmerei through the chinks Of the
shutter. lie stopped 10 listen. In the mid
die Of the finale there was u sudden inter-
ruption, silence fOr moment, then stiied
yOico was heard.
81 cannot 60 on, sail female voice.
:" l eau so no farther this evening, Fredo-
, rick"
Why. sister,"
scarcely know, unless i. Is because the
compo,ition Is 50 beautiful that ! feel inca.
pable Of doing justice to IL. | am 50 fond
OF music. Oh what would not give to
hear that piece played by some one who
could do i! Justice
"Ah. dear sister, said Frederick, signing,
one must be rich to procure that enJcy'
mcnt. What is the use Of rrgretting when
there is no help for 1T We can scarcely
pay our rent why think Of things far be-
yoni our reach"
You are right, Frederick and yet wher
| am playing long once In my life TO hear
good music well executed. Bat It Is useless
it's useless 80
There was something singularly touching
in the tone and repetition OF the last words,
Beethoven looked at me. "Let US enter,
said be. abruptly.
{" Enter !" said l., "why should We
enter ?"
IL will play to her." replied he, viii
yiyaciiy. Z" She has feeling, genius, intel
ligenso; | will play to her, and she viii
appreciate mo-" And before | could pre-
vent him, his hand was on the door. II
was no, locked, and opened Immediately.
I followed him across dark corridor, towards
halcopen door at the right. lie pushed
| il, and We found ourselves in q poor desii'
tute room. with little stove at ono end
and some coarse furniture. A pale young
man was seated at table, working a shoe
/ Near him, bending in melancholy manner
over an old piano, was young girl. Both
were cleanly, bat very poorly dressed ihey
rose anu turned towards US us we entered.
Pardon me, "said Beethoven. somewha,
embarrassed, Z" but heard music, and Wal
tempted to enter. am musician !"
The girl blushed, and the young mar
assumed grave, almost severe manner.
81 heard also somo Of your words, con
tinued my friend. "You wish to hear
that j. you would like-in short, would yor
like me to play to you -
There was something 50 strange, so ab
rup,, 50 comical, in the whole affair, and
something 50 agreeable and eccentric in th,
manners Of him who had spoken, tina, the
ice was broken in an, instant, and all inyOl
unfairly smiled.
Thank you" said the young shoe
maker, bu, our piano is bad, aud then w
have no music :"
"No music !" repeated my friend; show