Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1865-10-12

wanted him to take walk, and afterwards To
sup with me. In passing through some dark,
narrow street he paused suddenly. Hush .
be said, what sound is that? 1t is from my
| symphony in F" he said, eagerly. Hark,
how well it is played"
! It was in little, mean dwelling; and We
paused outside and listened The player went
on but in the midst Of the finale there was a
sudden break, then the voice Of sobbing. 81
cannot play any morc-it is so beautiful, it is
50 utterly beyond my power to do it Justice
O! what would not give to go to the concert
at Cologne?"
"Ah, my sister" said her companion, :" why
create regrets when there is no remedy? We
can scarcely pay our rent
"You are right and yet wish, for once in
my life to hear some really good music. But
it is of no use
Beethoven looked at me. LET us go in
be said
SO inw exclaimed. "What can VIC go
in for y
Il will play to her" he said, in an excited
tone. " Here is feeling geni'is-understand-
ing. will play to her, and she will under
stand i'll" And, before could prevent him,
his hand was upon the door.
A pale young man was sitting by the table,
making shoes and near him, leaning sorrow
fully upon an old-fashioned harpsichord, sat
Young girl, with profusion of light hair fall
inc over her bent face Both were ceanly but
very poorly dressed, and both started and turn
ed toward us as we entered
aPardon me" said Beethoven, " but heard
music, and was tempted to enter, am mu-
sician"
The girl blushed, and the young man look
ed grave-somewhat annoyed.
"I-I also overheard something of whatyou
said continued my friend. :" You wish to
hcar-that is, you would likc--that iS-shall |
play foryouT
There was something SO odd in the whole
affair. and something so eccentric and pleasant
in the manner Of the speaker, that the ice
seemed broken in moment, and all smilcdin-
voluntarily.
"rhank you," said the shoemaker; but
our harpsichord s-so wretched, and we have
no music.
aNo musicw echoed my friend, How
then. does the Fraulein--"
He paused and colored up, for the girl look
ed round full at him, and he saw that she was
blind
"I-I entreat your pardon" he stammered; ;
" but had not perceived before. Then you
play from ear?,'
Entirely"
"And where do YOU hear the music, since
you frequent no concerts p
81 used to hear lady practising near us
when we lived at Bruhl two years. During
the summer evenings her windows were gcner-
ally open. and walked to and fro outside to
listen to her"
She seemed shy, so Beethoven said no more,
but seated himself quietly before the piano,
and began to play. He had no sooner struck
the first chord than knew what would follow
how grand he would be that night And |
was not mistaken. Never, during all the years
| knew him, did | hear him play as he then
played to that blind girl and her brother.
lie was inspired and from the instant that
his fingers began to wander along the keys the
very tone of the instrument began to grow
sweeter and more equal
The brother and sister were silent with Won
der and rapture. The former laid aside his
work; the latter, with her head bent slightly
forward, and her hands pressed tightly over
her breast crouched down near the end Of the
haipsichord as if fearful lest even the beating
of her heart should break the flow of those
magically sweet sounds. 1t was as if we were
all bound in strange dream, and only feared
to wake
Suddenly the fame Of the single candle wa
vered. sunk, flickered, and went out. Beetho-
ven paused, and threw open the shutters, adj
mitting 4 flood OF brilliant moonlight. Inc
room was almost as light as before, and the IL
Elimination fell strongest upon the piano and
player. But the chain of his ideas seemed TO
have been broken by the accident. His head
dropped upon his breast; bis hands rested up
on his knees; he seemed absorbed in medta-
ton.
1t was thus for some time.
At length the young shoemaker rose, and
approaching him eagerly yet reverently, '-wOn-
derful man r he said, who and what are you?
The composer smiled as he only could smile,
benevolently, indulgently, kindly. Listen"
he said and he played the opening bars Of the
symphony in L.
A cry Of delight and recognition burst nom
them both, and cxclaiming, Then you arc
Beethoven p they covered his hands with tears