Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-08
MOrtester 4a1lg SPY.
HAssE AND HIS M nEuM.


which glittered in the exquisite vases at the
window OF this things-beautiful-loving art
ist. Softly opened the door, and in stepped,
with light, almost noseless, airy tread, his
beautiful wife, Faustina Hasse one of the most
fascinating women, and indisputably the finest
dramatic cantatrice of her time. Playtully
she laid her hand upon the shoulder of her
husband, who sat at the writing table, and
said, mischievously:
goMeny, and the buds brighten to blossoms,
and April speaks forth SO glad prophecy of
the coming joy-the May y
"Have not sufficient cause for vexaton 2"
impatiently replied Hasse, who was, in gener.
al mild and atfable man, seldom allowing
himself to be annoyed by triaes-"have l not
cause for vexation My faithess memory
has again played me shameful trick Ihave
to compose TIE Deum for the court chapel
have already sought for long time, and with.
out success, an appropriate theme. What
suggests itself to me l throw aside as unwor-
thy~-not one Of all my thoughts appears to me
to be noble and elevated enough"
"Perhaps you judge yourself too severely"
interrupted his wife "let me hear"
"There is nothing to hear, Faustina-abSo-
lutely nothing-all is vanished from my sieve
like memory. o that knew only half of
what l. have forgotten. At night as | lie on
id succession but, when day is here, they
have all disappeared, and am lett helpless
and with an empty head"
i!asse said this with an anger so ludicrous,
that Faustina burst into a merry peal of laugh.
ter, which added fresh fuel to the flame of his
wrath. Hastily springing up, he paced the
room with long strides, and cried vehemently.
Gan eXecrahle memory o it will yet
bring me to desperation Think Fauslina, l
had 1ivina I I'D tL
TIE Deum, o tell you it was TIE Deum
full of glory and majesty, and sublimty.
awaken, l remember it still, will write it
down, there is the inkstand empty, and pencil
without point, and the boy-the odious John,
for whom l ring to bring me ink and seek my
missing penknite-remains away an hour, and
all is forgotten, entirely blotted out from the
tablet of my memory"
'Poor mani" said Faustina, laughing.
perhaps it may return to you again how
ever, l cannot wait longer for you, but must
go alone to ride, for it will soon be three
o'clock, and | am invited out to dine" With
these words she glided from the room, with a
light bosom, while Hasse peevishly took his
hat and cane aud sailed out in the open air,
as he was wont to do when much tretted.
Closely wrap, ed within himself, seeing no.
thing, hearing nothing, greeting neither friends
nor acquaintance, but intenty absoI bed in
tHOuHut, SLOWLY HdikSu I1dSSe over Tie DTlugG
to Loschwtz which was not then the flour
ishing, beautiful village that now adorns the
shores of the Elbe. The pure, balmy air, the
fragrance OF spring, and the sweet warbling of
birds, unconsciously to Hasse, soothed away
his annoyance, spoke peace, be still - to the
troubled waves of his spirit, and sunbeam
stray ed into the darkeaed soul. He went on
still further, and presently his way led him by
little cottage the neatneSs Of whose inmates,
revealed in passing, caused him to retrace his
steps. Childlike, as are ali true artists, he
looked through the little window into the
small sitting room, 1t was ornamental ell
tirely with pine branches; tile floor was NICE
ly strewed with sand, and table, a bench, two
wooden stools, a sideboard, and bed, upon
which lay pale, youthful woman, composed
the entire furniture of the room. The woman
held in her arms little, and certainly her
first newborn babe, and glanced altel
nately at the door and at the child
with an expression of earnest, eager ex
pectancy. Now the door opens hurriedly
and two men enter-one with a radianty
beaming face, tall, slight, aud in the pride Of
early manhood the other an old, stout man,
from whose features spoke the deepest emo
ton. They approached the bed OF the moth.
err who reaches to them both, but the young
est first, the child TO kiss. ave praise Thee,
o God, was written legibly upon the counte-
nances of these three happy, grateful ones /;
and Hasse, much moved, turned to go, it was
all bright i'll his innermost. AS the bosom ex-
pands when penetrated by the sunbeam, so
opened his closely locked memory and anew
sprang out the idea, and stood before him in
all its loneliness. Hastily he thrust his hand
into his pocket, still walking on-but heaven 3!
once again pencil, once again paper forgotten
1t was too terrible for poor Hasse He stood
perfectly still, while before him, stepping
quickly, passed a great, stout man, wearing II
blue Jacket "What a glorious writing-table
that would bel" thought Hasse. 0 ecstacy
he finds in his pocket piece OF chalk.
Here, dear man, whittier are you going 90
"To Dresden 2"
"Dld not see you-were you not in yonder
cottage a few minutes ago?"
yes" said the other, pleasantly my
R0sina has to-day blessed me with the first
grandchild, and l am going into the city to
buy refreshing beverage for the invalid /;
with our last groschen, it is true but that is
better than it our dear babe was not here 10
gladden. our hearts,"
you shall have a Louis dor, if you will
only lend me your jacket"
MY jacket For what, sir 2"
"ro write upon it an artistical work-an
honor which has certainly never before been
conferred upon it. Be motionless; stand per-
tectly still"
The man obeyed, and remained quietly
standing, only turning his head round from
time to time, TO cast stolen glance at the
operator.
"Now l have finished. l am the royal
Saxon chapelmaster Hasse, and have the idea
of my Tie Deum-the theme, in deficiency
of paper, written upon your back. Now 20
before me, good man; do not move or speak
will reward yon."
Patiently stepped the countryman before
the great composer, who, fixing his eyes in
tently on his broad back, medltated, and ex-
tended his theme.
In the twilight they arrived at Dreden, and
the cOuntryman, who still continued to precede
Hasse, entered the house, first while the ser
wants stared in undisguised amazement at the
man, with whom their master was making
such multiplicity OF ceremonies. The theme
was soon transcribed. "Here is Louis dor.
The cook shall give you all the fruit and as
many little deicaci, S as the invalid may re-
quire. You may command my services when
you will, as godfather.
The man stammered out few words of
thanks, and Hasse said, kindly:
mo go, my Atlas in miniature, first get
your Jacket brushed, and then pay your re.
spects to your daughter"
The succeeding sabbath the court chapel.
master Hasse, with two of the most noble
ladies in Dresden, stood as sponsors for the
child-a beautiful boy Hasse had abundant
ly provided refreshments for the OCCASION and
all was mirth and gladness in the cottage
The presents Of the generous godparens en-
riched the infant, while, subsequently,, the pa