The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-08-24
THE MUSICIANS MARRIAGE.

Ihe day alter we came, MS apart
ment was entered bv stranger-an old
man whose appearance indicated misery,
suffering. The great musician received
him with that cordiolity which he would
not perhaps haves shown nobleman. En-
couraged by his kindness, his visitor said !:
81 come TO you, sir, rs brother. Ex.
cuse me if | take this title, notwithstand-
ing the distance that divides us; but for
merly i could boast of some skill in play
ing the piano, and by giving instructions
| gained comfortable livelihood. Now |
am old, feeble, burdened with large
family and destitute of pupils. | live at
Hamburg but came to Prague TO seek to
recover the remnant Of small property
which belonged to my ancestors. Altho'
nominally successful, the expense of
long litigation has more than swallowed
the trifling sum l recovered. To-mor-
row l set out for home penniless."
"And you have come to me?-You'
have done well, and / thank you for this
proof of your esteem. To assist broth
er Professor is TO me more than duty,
il is a pleasure. Artists should have
their purses in common; and if fortune
neglects some in order to treat Others
better than they deserve, it only makes
it more necessary to preserve the equilb-
rum by fraternal kindness. That's my
system; so don't speak of gratitude,
for feel that | only discharge a debt"
As he uttered these gracious words
Liszt opened another drawer in his writ
ing case, and started when he saw
that bis usual depository for his money
was only three ducats. He summoned
his servant.
"Where is the money!" he asked.
"There, sir" replied the man, pointing
to the open drawer.
There! why there is scarcely any
thing"
81 told you yesterday that the cash
was nearly exhausted"
"You see, my dear brother" said Liszt,
smiling, "that for moment am no
richer than you; but that does not troub-
le me. | have credit, and can make
money start from they keys of my piano.
However, as you are in haste TO leave
Prague and return home, you shall not be
delayed by my psesent want Of funds"
So saving he opened another drawer
and taking splendid medallion gave it
TO the old man.
"There," said he, "that will do. 1t
was a present made me By the Emperor
of Austria, bis own portrait set in dia.
monds. The painting is nothing remark
able, but the stones are fine. Take them
and dispose of them, and whatever they
bring shall be yours"
The old musician tried in vain to de-
cline so rich gift. List would not hear
of refusal, and the poor man at length
withdrew invoking the choicest blessing
of Heaven on his generous benefactor.-
He then repaired to the shop of the prin-
cipal jeweler in the city, in order to sell
the diamonds. Seeing miserably dress
ed man anxious 10 dispose of magnificent
Jewels with whose value he seemed un-
acquainted, the master of the shop very
naturally suspected his honesty, and while
appearing to examine the diamonds with
close attention, he whispered few words
in the ear of one of his assistants. The
latter went out, and speedily returned, ac-
companied by several soldiers Of the po-
lice, arrested the unhappy musician, in
spite of his prostestations Of innocence.
You must first come to prison." they
said afterwards you can give M expla-
nation to the magistrate"
The prisoner wrote few lines to his
benefaclor, imploring his assistance. LisSt
hastened TO the jeweler.
"Sir," said he, you have caused the
arrest of an innocent man. Come with
mo Immediately and let us have him re-
leased. He is the lawful owner of the
jewels in question, for / gave them to
him."
"But, sir" said the merchant "who
are your
any name is Liszt."
al don't know any rich man by that
name"
"That may be; yet l am tolerably
we'll known"
"Are you not aware, sir, that these
diamonds are worth six thousand forms
that is TO say, about five thousand
guineas or twelve thousand francsp
$50 much the better for him on whom
| have bestowed them"
"But in order to make such a present
you must be wealthy