Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-03-16

the public gave him living. As an orphan our
feelings we're still more strongly enlisted in him
and we found he soon became a general favorite
tbo, he WIS plain and unobtruSive.
Seven o'clock came and we went to the con.
cert Before ne arrived, though we went ear
". eycryseat was filled with the beauty and
fashion Of Augusta On the front seat we saw
our friend. the blind boy, and his companion,
Mr.. b and at once felt strange friendship
for Mr.. b, for his kind compliment in bring
ing him 70 oeDjoy his favorite amusement and
study.
Strakosh came forward, and pleasantly bow
ING to thssudence, seated himself at the piano,
and commenced Home, Sweet Home" with
variations 1t was executed finely and drew
forth loud applause. The blind boy was in &C.
stacies. Though the rich voice of Parodi, the
sweet tones of de Wilhorst, and the ludicrous
notes of Imodo were loudly applauded and en-
cored. vet they had but little effect with him !;
hut the moment Strakosch seated himself at
the instrument, he was all attention, and yet
YOU could see the animated gesticulation ex-
press ITSELF and the flush of pleasure light up
that vacant face. The concert was q success,
and we allfeturnel home delghted-none moi e
So than ourlblind friend.
It was ten o'clock. The concert had been
over aboutan hour, and we repaired to the par
lor of the Planters" where We found Mr.. and
Mrs. B-En, and the blind 10y. The Strakosh
troupe were to leave that night, for Savannah,
at twelve o'clock. George and myself entered
the parlorquietly, and seated ourselves on the
sofa near the piano. We made a singn to B
not to let tie blind boy know we were in the
room. Strskosh, Madam Strakosh, De Will
horst and Squires, were walking in the hall,
awaiting their supper, which was not quite
ready AIlat once, without being asked, Nc
Carthy stuck up "Sounds from Home" i'm
provising variations. Such execution never
heard Stakosh and De Wilhorst came and
stood by !he doorway. 1t was pleasing to
watch the,beautiful expression which fitted
across the great musicians face. Gradually he
drew nearer the instrument, while we made a
motion for lin to keep still and not speak, lest
the blind boy would suspect, and stop playing.
From "Souads from Home" followed choice
selections frp,n " Trovatore, /" Don Giovanni"
and selectioas from Lits,' and "Henri Herr"
lie stopped a moment, and hardly giving time
to his heares to recover their surprise, COM
mcnced plaIing the concerted piece, Home
Sweet HONG" adding HIS own, with Strakosh's
variations, Aayng Strakosh's composition with
perfect accuracy, which elected the wonder Of
all. One after another, Madam Parodi, Mad
sme Strakoh, Mile De Wihorst, Squires and
Signor Anlbaio came in, and quietly seated
themselves mound, but the blind boy was the
bright staref this musical constellation. Stra-
kosh alone at by the performer, watching bis
-ss;ks- 10y, board, and in his anxiety to
get nearerdhe in ..rument, broke down the
chair whichAe was seated on, thus disturbing
the delicious musical reyeric. Tue blind b,.y
stopped, and said "Mr. B, who is in the
rooln-it SEEMS as if the room was full Of leo-
pleW =
Mr.. B-G;did not answer, but Strakosh did,
in hi. broken English. Grasping Linn by tue
hand, whb a tear of sympathy trickled down
his cheeksibe said:
"Afy dear sir, you be Won great genius. Your
music be vet sweet. 1t gives INC pleasure to
hear. Your music is better as mine. You he
Won great genius. My name is Strakosh, and
we all be Yer mooch please"
The announcement staggered the wits OF the
boy. That lie had played before Strakosh, and
received ptaisc from him, filled him with sur
prise. lie rose from the piano, covered with
confusion, yet apparently pleased with having
won such praise from the great pianist. we
could get him to play no more that evening,
although the whole troupe repeatedly urged hlni'
At the request of the company presentStrakosh
seated himself at the piano, while Miss u,
a fair Carolinian accompanied him in beaut-
full air from aLinda di Chamounix," Strakosh
playing the accompaniment. 4 song from
Madam De Wilhorst followed, which was sweet
ly rendered in her soft and musical voice, ana
the evenings entertainment closed.
With apleasant goodnight to all, and sPe-
cial farewell Of thanks to the blind BOY, Tue
opera troupe departed, having given to US
quiet and pleasant musical treat, far more heart
felt than in the crowded hall, where the inilu-
encc of fashion was more fully developed than
the influence Of music.
EARLY the next morning the blind boy was
missing, but we found that he had gone to spend
Christmas with ho>pitiable planter OF South
Carolina. The best wishes Of our hearts went
with him.
havelistened to the glorious music of Haydn
and Mozart both here and in foreign lands; L
have listened to the three greatest OF living
pianists, Herr, Thalberg and Gottschalk, (and
must not omit StrakoSch; J I have heard the
most celebrated primo donnas Of Italy, France
and Germany have listened with wrapt at
tcntion to the solos of the most celebrated in
strumental performers in the wolld-but have
never heard such soul-touching music--such
wild, improvsed melody as came IRON the rlcA
and delicate touch and execution OF MCarthy,
the blind pianist, as he played unknowlngly Ge'
fore Strakosch at the Planters tlotsl on tne
evening VI Wednesday, the 9al Of DecemosF'
1858.