The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-04-14

"none but the rich can afford such happiness.
It's useless to create regrets for ourselves
where there can be no remedy. We can
scarcely pay our rent now, 80 why dare even
to think Of what is unattainable?" r-.
"You are right, Friedrich" was her rc-
ply. Sand yet sometimes, when I am play.
ing, I wish that for once In my life might
hear some really good music and fine perform.
ance. But II is no usc-of no use 7"
There was something very touching in the
tone Of these last words, and in the manner
Of their repetition. Beethoven looked at me.
"Lct US go in," he said, hurriedly.
"Go in :" exclaimed. "llow can We 50
in7 what can VIC 60 in FORT" al will play
to her," no said, in the same excited tono.
"Hcrc is Observation-Disclosures l
will play to her she will appreciate i'll"
And before could prevent him, his hand
was upon the door. II was only latchcd and
instantly gave way; 40 I followed him through
the dark passage to half.opened door at the
right Of the entrance, which he pushed open
and entered. It was bare, comfortlcss
apartment, with smallstove ut one end, and
scanty furniture. A pale young nan was
sitting by the table making shoes; and near
him, leaning sorrowfully upon an old.iash.
ioncd harpsichord, sat young girl, with n
prolusion Of light hair falling over her bent
face. Both wero cleanly but very poorly
dressed, and both started and turned towards
us as we entered.
"Pardon me-" said Beethoven, looking
somewhat embarrassed. "Pardon lne-but
-bnt heard music, and l was tempted to
enter. am musician"
'rhegirl blushed and the young man looked
grave-somewha annoyed.
M-I also overheard something OF what
you said, continued my friend. "You wish
to hear-that IL, you would !ike-that is
shall I play to you?" a.f
There was something so odd, 30 whimsical,
so brusque in tho whole affair, and something
81 eccentric and pleasant in the very manner
Of tho speaker, that the Ice seemed broken in
moment. and all smiled involuntarily.
"Thank you," said the shoemaker; "but
our harpsichord Is wretched, and we have no
music. !" -... .....I
"No music!" echoed my friend. "IIow,
then, does the fraulein-" ....
He paused and colored up, for tho girl
looked round full at him, and in the dim,
melancholy gaze Of those clouded eyes ho
saw that she was blind. .r...... ..
oil cntreat your pardon. he stamnercd;
"but had not perceived before. Then you
play from car?" ...
"Entirely."
"And where do you hear the music since
you frequent no concerts3"
81 used to hear u lady practicing near us
when we lived at Bruhl two years ago. Dur
ing the summer evenings her window was
generally open, and walked to and fro out
side to listen to her."
"And have you never heard any music ~
"None-excepting street music"
She seemed shy, 80 Beethoven said no more,
but seated imself quietly before the piano,
and began to play. He had no sooner struck
the first chord than knew what would fol.
law-how grand he would be that night |!
And was not mistaken. Never, never, dur.
ing oil the years knew him, did I hear him
play as ho then played to that blind girl and
her brother! Never heard such fire. such pas.
sonate tenderness. such Infinite graduations
OF melody and modulation lie was inspired;
and from the instant his fingers began to
wander along the keys, the very tones of tho
instrument seemed to grow swcetcr and moro
equal. Brea,hless and cntranccd we sat lis
tcning. Tho brother and sister were silent
with wonder and rapture. The former laid
aside his work the latter, with head bent
slightly forward, and her hands pressed tight
" over her breast, crouchcd down near tho
end Of the harpsichord, rs IL fearful lest ev.
en- the beating Of her hcart should break the
flow of those magical sweet sounds. II was
as if we were all bound in u strange dream,
and only feared to awake. Suddenly tho
aamc of the single candle wavered, sank.
aickercd, and went out. Beethoven paused,
and threw open tho shutters, admitting n
GOOD Of brilliant moonlight. Tho room was
almost as light rs before. and tho illumina-
ton fell strongest on the piaro and the play.
or. But the chain of his ideas seemed to
have been broken by tho accident. Ills head
droopei upon his brcast-his hands rested
up,n his knecs-he seemed absorbed in med.
itation. II was thus for sometime. Ia
At length tho young shoemaker rosc, and
approached him eagerly, yet revercntly--
"wonderful mani" he said In low tone.
"who and what are you ." i.Hafi 1.a
Beethoven lifted his head and looked at
him vacantly, as if unconscious Of the mean.
ing Of his words. He repeated the question.
The composer smiled, benevolsntly. indul.
gently, kindly. aa g''l '
Listen =" he said. and played the open
ing'bars Of the symphony ip T.
A cry of delight and recognition burst