The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-05-21
LOUIS O. CowAN, Editor & Proprietor.
IISgiSGNAYN@TSo
Prom the London Leisure Hour.
The Singing Birds.

There lived, once upon time, in th,
vicinity Of Anvers, little old man, name,
Van Brsken. who occupied an old fashionet
house, built in the Spanish style, directl!
upon the waters edge.
Now, as consider It necessary to the in
ierest Of my sioiy that the reader shoult
frs, have some slight acquaintance with ii
prominent characters, | will begin by giving
a rough outline OF Van Braken.
AT this time he was about sixty years o.
age, with small pinched.up face, surnount
ed by a flsxcn peruke, too short by three
fingers for the fashion, and his o!d appear
ance would attract the attention Of stran
ger. His costume was striking-coat and
breeches Of bottle-green cloth, and long
wooden stockings, mixed with gray and
white.
A fine musician, and at an early age a
distinguished composer, Van Braken lei,
Vienna when his name was beginning to
be known, aud his reputation established.-
In vain did his friends urge him to remain
Van Braken was immovable in his resolu-
ton, and the motives which induced him to
disregard what seemed to be his best inter-
est 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 cathe-
drsl.
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 aud 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 improvi-
sations of sacred music, which more than
sufficed him for companionship, so that he
never felt his isolation from the world. on
en-, when the crowd Of worshipers had long
since dispersed, and the nave was wholly
deserted, 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 exist
ence was natural consequence Of his ge-
Mus.
He was twenty years old when first he
entered the cathedral at Burges-hc was
fifty when he left ii. Thirty years had he
passed within its walls--ah, well during
those thirty years no one had troubled HIM
self concerning the grieis and Joys Of the
poor orpanist; no one had had the curiosity
or the charity to ask il he were happy or
miserable.
In consequence of a sprained wrist, occa-
stoned by a severe tall, Van Braken per-
ceiyed with unutterable sorrow this over
throw Of happiness which he had Tor 50 ma
nv years enjoyed-that his execution, for
merly so brilliant, had become heavy and
UNEQUAL, so that il 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 ofins,ructing 9th
ers. and accordingly obtained number OF
scholars. at a remuneration sufficient to sup
port him in his usual simple aud 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 aaxen peruke stood upright when
ever a false note Jared upon his ears, and
his thin legs twisted themselves in every va
riety OF con,ortion upon the rounds OF his
chair. When the same fault occurred Tor
the tenth time in the very same passage, he
would cross his arms, and, looking ut his
pupil with severity, say :-"l steal your
money, you steal my time. llenceforth, 1
am. when we chance to me meet, your very
humble servant, Van Braken;' then take
his ha, and rush from the house, mut'erlng
to himself. .
A, last, Van Braken scolded all his schol.
ars the same day, and renounced his occu-
nation forever. Sill he did not wish to re-
main in idleness, and Immediately began
looking abou, him for some employment,
whereby to gain his living. Chance favored
him.
One evening, as Van Braken was taking
bis accustomed walk, he noticed at the door
Of a little shop an old-fashioned spinct and
n large Gaze of canaries. He at first priced
the birds, though he did no, intend to pur-
chase them, in order to open the way Tor q
bargain about the spinet TO which he took
fancy.
The shopkeeper asked a hundred duca,s
for the canaries, aud offered the sP'net ioi
four. The organist 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.
.Will the gentleman not take the cana.
ries ?" asked the shopkeeper; "they are mol
dear-and he will never again lind such an
opportunity" I've H.
"a hundred ducats :" repeated Van Bra
ken, in astonishmeni /; at might rs well Of
five hundred"
IL would have you observe" continued
the shopkeeper, mildly, "that they are al
blind, and in perfect health"
The musician grew purple with anger q
what seemed to hun nothing lees than an IN
suit. "lndeed!" said he, with sham sim
plici,y.
"Alas !" sighed the shopkeeper, "they ar
the best singers Of poor NJ. Brauwer, VIII
has lately died in Brussels
"Ah, truly, is be dead?" asked Van Bra
ken.
ayes, he died month ago" was the re
ply. mo one has ever equalled his co'iee
iion Of singing-birds."
This gave new light to Van Baken.-
lie had often heard OF these collections q
canaries, and OF competitions among IN
owners, in which considerable sum wa
awarded to the proprietor OF the bird VIII
repeated its song the greatest number 9
times in given period, calculated by th
chronomethr. The organist reflected SON
moments. ais that your lowest price |" sal
be, raising his head.
"Thst Is my lowest price" answered th
shopkeeper, with emphasis. IN. Stoven'
Of Lille, would sgree to any amount ! migt
"a n. h.t shaaa vef,, tho blfl