Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-11-01
HISTORY OF a WOODEN
SHOE.

was announced among the artistic circles
of Paris, that Nicolo Paganini had fallen
seriously ill, at the conclusion of grand
concert given by the illustrious violinist.
He was attacked by a low intermittant fe-
yer, which refused to yield to the remedies
employed, and even gave rise to apprehen-
sions for his life.
Paganini whose Ieanness was already al
most spectral, now seemed to have his frail
existence suspended by a thread, which the
slightest shock might sever. The physi-
clans unanimously ordered solitude, abso-
Lutte repose, and strict regimen as to diet.
In order to carry out these prescriptions,
Paganini removed to the Villa Lutetiana, in
the Faubourg Poissonniere. This excellent
establishment, which no longer exists, was
intended exclusively for the reception of
wealthy invalids. A spacious, comfortable
house stood in large, park-like garden,
where each patient could ramble at will,
and enjoy either solitude or society at his
choice. A great charm at this house was
that every one lived just as he or she
pleased in the evening, either retiring to
the solitude Of his apartment, or joining in
the games, music, and conversation held in
the drawing room. Peganini naturally be-
longed to those who preferred to pass
the evenings in quietness and retirement.
There was plenty of gossip about him in
the drawing room; three or four censorious
old maids fell on him tooth and nail.
Ladies'" began one, "have you seen
this great musician? He sslutes no one,
and never speaks word. He takes his
bowl of soup in an arbor in the garden,
and then hastens away if any one ap-
proaches. What an oddly he must be ?"
"That's part Of his malady," said an
other; "people say that there is some ter
rible mystery about his life; some love-
story, l imagine" TX
"Not at ALL" added third; "Paganini
is miser; there's no mystery about that.
Do you remember that concert which was
organized in favor of the families who had
suffered from the inundation at st. Etienne?
The great violinist refused to take part in
it because he would have had to play gra-
tuitously. Depend upon it, he fears that,
were he to mix in our society, he might be
asked for similar favors,"
"Paganini guessed pretty well how he
was regarded by his fellow boarders, but,
like Calico Of old, he cared for none of
these things. His health became gradually
better, yet in the whole house he never ex-
changed word with any one except Nj
cette. This was the housemaid who attend
ed on him; a cheerful, innocent country
girl, whose gay prattle, when she served
his meals, often availed to dispel the cloud
which habitually darkened the brows of
Paginini.
One morning Nicette presented herself
with a sad, dropping countenance, and
served breakfast without uttering word.
The musician, who was amusing himself
with carving piece of ivory for the handle
of dagger, noticed the change in the
young girl, and questioned her upon it.
"Whats the matter, my child? You
look sad; your eyes are red; some misfor-
tune has befallen you, Nicette?" ~
"Oh yes! sir"
"Would it be indiscreet to ask you what
it is?"
"No sir, not precisely; but. IS.
Paginini fixed his great black eyes on
the girls troubled countenance.
"Come," he said !; 81 see how it is.
After having made you a thousand promises
he has quilted you, and you no longer have
any tidings of him."
"Ah poor fellow He has quilted me
certainly, but it was not his fault !"
"How is that ?"
" Because in the CONSUMPTION he drew q
bad number, and he has been sent away
with great long gun on his shoulder, and
l shall never see him again." sobbed poor
Nicette, as she buried her face in her white
apron.
"But, Nicette. couldlyou not purchase a
substitute for him ~ .,
The girl, Withdrawing her apron, smiled
sadly through her tears
monsieur is jesting," she said g how
could ever buy a substitute ?"
"Does it cost very dear?" t4s4s..
~" This year men are tremendously dear,
on account of the report that there is going
to be war. Fifteen hundred francs is the
lowest price"
The musician pressed .Nicette's little
plump hand between his long salloT fingers
as he said,- .lf. a.5s
"If that's all, my girl, don't cry; we'll
see what can be DONE"
Then, taking out his pocket book, he
wrote on blank leaf
"1fem. To see about giving concert for
the benefit of -Nicette." .--s e--.,-
A month passed on; winter arrived, and
Paganinis physician said to him.
my dear sir, you must not venture out
of doors again until after the month of
March,"
~ ASht 10 w WHY iOPiiSo 'n0 AnueA-
clan.
During the winter comparative degree
of health and strength returned to Paga
mini. Having no longer the pleasant shady
arbors of the garden to wander in as a re
fuge, he began gradually to linger a little
in the drawing room. After dinner he
used to throw himself on cushion of Grim
son velvet, and pass half an hour in turning
over volume of engravings, or in slipping
glass of sugared water favored with
orange flowers. The old ladies of the So
city gossiped on about him and his odd
way, but he affected not to hear, and GER
tainly did not heed them.
Chrlstmas-eve approached. On the an
nlversary of the birth of Our Lord, Gus
tom exists in France very dear to its juVe-
nile inhabitants. A wooden shoe is placed
at the corner of the hear tn, and beneicent
fairy Is supposed to come down the Chin
ney laden with various presents and dain-
ties, with which he fills il. 1t is calculated
that one year with another the Christmas
wooden shoe enriches the trade of Paris
with two million francs.
On the morning of the oath of December
four OF Paganini's female critics were in
consultation together.
= II will be for this evening" said one
Yes, for this evening; that's settled"
replied another.
After dinner Paganini was, according to
his custom, seated on the drawing-room SO
Ia, slpping his eau sucTs, when an unusual
noise was heard in the corridor. Presently