Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-03-16
8ea6ing
From the Waverley Magazine.
A MUSICAL INCIDENT.
BY wM. B. REDFIELD.

is crowded with the merry sons and daughters
of Africa, was deserted and still. AT the
"Planters," Everybody knows the Planters
House) several of us from Yankee land had
gathered together around a blazing wood fire
and were talking together of our fFends far
ava" and were relating to one another incl
dents of our early days. 1t was dreary night
such one as made one draw closer to the
glowing Goals and to enjoy social companionship.
Some one has said, .desolation and storm with
out makes cheerfulness Within" and surely in
this case it proved trite remark.
We were seated in the reception room OF the
Planters"-a cheerful, pleasant room,-and
although the storn-wind sounded drearily
enough without, we were joyous and gay within.
Robbins, le O,aitre dehote, came in at ten o'clock
with steaming bowl of egg-nog, to which we
paid our devoirs accordingly. This egg-nog is
one of those "peculiar institutions" pertaining
to the South, and as Christmas comes but once
a year, high and low, rich and poor, must have
a bowl of this favorite beverage. As the Genr-
ga negro says
"Egg-nog an Silnmon Beer,
Christmas comes but once year"
Twelve o'clock came. One by one our party
had broken, until only my friend George H
was left. We sat by tue crate finishing our
cigars, and were about to SO up to our rooms,
when soft, sweet strain Of music came floating
through the long hall, apparently from tue Ia
dies parlor-it was minor measure from one
of Bethovens symphonies. Mournfully sweet
it Hoated through that passage-way, mingling
with the subdued walings of the storm with
such beauty and power that it seemed unearthlys
We listened again, and could distinguish quick,
brilliant variations sounding softly and sweetly
from the piano in the ladies' parlor. Who could
it be who was so dclig ghtng our senses with
music? There was no lady performer like this
in the house, there had been no freSll arrivals;
and although Strako,h and his troupe were cx
pccted, we knew they could not have come, for
the cars on the several roads lesding out from
Augusta were all in. Who was this musician
Again the sweet music vibrated through the
passage We hurried to the ladies paror. The
gas was turned of, and by tlickerins light
given by the dying embers, we observed the
piano open, but the musician had gOne. We
made enquiries from Robbinss, from the ser.
wants, and from all the guests in the house, but
to no purpose. The only clue we could get to
the mystery, was, that blind boy with a'VlolIn
had arrived in tue ninc o'clock train from the
South, and it might be him; but it was hardly
probable, as he had desired to be shown direct
to his room, as lie was anxious to get rest. Who
or what was this unknown musician was mys.
terry. For another hour we remained at the
fireside, but 10 more music WAS heard, and We
departed to our rooms for the night.
The next morning WAS bright and clear. In
the morning papers were notices OF Strakosk
Troupe, who were to give concert that night
Mt one of the city hallt. The well-known mu-
sical ability of this musical troupe caused a
great demand for tickets, and before night the
tickets were all sold. The noon train brought
the artistes, and considerable excitement reigned
in the "Planters' during tho remainder Of the
day.
While quietly eating my dinner, | had
chance to observe my neghbors. At the head
of the table sat Maurice StrakoSh, the pianist,
with his cheerful smile and good-natured face,
while to the left of him sat Madame Patti Stra-
kosh and Parodi. On the right sat the jolly
Amodio, (the habitues of the Academy Of Mu-
sic remember him in his laughing solo, and
next to him la petite Cora DeWilhorst, with
Souires the tenore for her attendant. Scarcely
were these seated, before servant entered,
leading young man of about % or 90 years
of age, plainly dressed, but perfectly blind. His
was ouizzical face and it only wanted the eye
to give it a proper expression. lie appeared to
be of nervous temperament. lie was pleasant
spoken, and singularly odd, and his remarks
brought forth much amusement. lie confined
his conversation exclusively to the servant, and
occasionally would step and listen when Stra-
kosh was talking. I felt an interest in him
could not account for, and | was determined to
lind out something more about him.
Having finished my dinner, strolled up
Broad Street on business, which occupied my
time until about five o'clock, and l concluded
would return to the hotel and get ready to 60
to the concert, which was to commence at seven
o'clock. At the hotel met George, who
told me he wished would go into the parlor as
he had u surprise for me. Fearing it was to
meet some ladies, declined; but upon his as
surance that there were no ladies in the parlcr,
I asscnted. Going through the hall heard
the same sweet music had heard the night be-
fore, and upon entering the room saw the blind
boy ut the piano. This, then, was the strange
musician we had heard the previous night. Seat
iuc ourselves on the sofa We listened with de-
lighted ears. II was nearly dark--the gas had
not blen lighted.
On lounge opposite tue piano was gentle
man and lady. The gentleman was Mr. B--.s
.-n, a distinguished musician, and formerly
leader of tue once famed Gernanla Musical
Encirty, the lady was bis wife. The blind
t,auist. unaware that any one save Mr D-a-+"-
s,,d l,ls a,ly were resent, kept at the iiistru.-
J,,eat, and garc to us some oi the sweet 1nilslcal
penn. from the operas, occasionally varying them
With airs from Won Weber and BecriA's and
Churus accurnpaniments from llaydn's Masses.
Such rapidity Of actiOn-such electric touches
such vibrations-snch chords and trills
never before saw or heard even b was as
touishcd. and involuntarily drew nearer to the
bano. We gave him simple Scotch airs, such
vs. Annie Laurie" " Coming through the Rye"
and Jamie's on the stormy sea, and his r'.,l-
dering these pieces with the impasnned varl'-
ations were wonderful, startling thrilling Over
an hour we remained in the room, though We
did not, could not note any time, save tHs'rn-
mental time, AMI the striking Of the gong iur
s,Ipuer dispersed us unwillngly.
Who and what was this blind boy? Ills
nome WAS Mccarthy. lie was formerly
scholar at the Perkins Institution for the Blind,
~ Do,ton. lie had been wandcrer since nc
had left that school, lie had been i'll Germany
auJ Prussia. had learned music by raised notes
Inf he became tired of confnins himself to in
.trnctions, and consequently followed his genius
.ud bis imagination. lie Lad, from his own
story beari all the celebrated vocal and i>tr,'-
mental performers OF the age, except Strakosil,
and he Was bound to hear him. This was all
Of h;s history we could CLEAN, save that he had
M narents-he was an orpbsn-and his osien-
sibIe business vas tuning plsnos' he had no