The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1866-11-29

- 0A'S'A C''&S~ VIZ "A"sSA ~~AA'S~3
and Paganini's physician said to him
my dear sir, you must not venture
out of doors again until after the month
of March," g.
"To hear is to obey" replied the
musician.
During the winter comparative de-
gree Of health aud strength return ed
to Paganini. Having no longer the
pleasant, shady arbors of the garden as
refuge, he began gradually to linger
in the drawing-room. After dinner he
used to throw himself on sofa 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 society gossiped on about
him and his odd ways, but be affected
not to hear, and certainly did not heed
them.
j. ''Christmas-eve approached. Gu the
anniversary Of the birth Of our Lord, a
custom exists in France, very dear to
its juvenile inhabitants. A wooden
shoe is placed at the corner of the
hearth, and a bcne6cent fairy is sup
posed to come down the chimney laden
with various presents and dainties, wit
which he fills it. 1t is calculated that
one year with another the Christmas
wooden shoe enriches tho trade of Paris
With two million francs.
On the morning Of the Oath Deer
four of Paganini's female critics we're
in consultation together
"It will be for this evening"" said
one.
eyes, for this evening; that's set.
tled," replied another.
After dinner Paganini was, accor-
ding to his custom, seated on the
drawingroom sofa, slipping his eau su-
cree, when an unusual noise was heard
in the corridor. Presently Nicette
entered, with a case, directed to Signor
Paganin.
II don't expect any case," said he !;
"but suppose he had better bring it
in."
According good sized deal box, on
which, besides the address, we're the
words, "Fragile, with care" Paganin
examined it with some curiosity, and
having paid the messenger, proceeded
to open the lid. His long, thin, but
extremely muscular fingers accomplish
ed this task without difficulty, and the
company, whose curiosity caused them
somewhat to trausgrcss the bounds Of
good manners, crowed around to STE
the contents Of the box.
The musician first drew out large
packet, enveloped in strong brown pa
per, and secured with several seals
Having opened this, a second, and then
third envelope appeared; and at
length the curious eyes Of twenty per-
sons were rcgaled with gigantic wood
en- shoe, carved out Of piece OF ash!
and almost large enough tos erve for
child's cradle. Bursts of laughter hail
cd the discovery.
"Ah.w said Paganini, "a wooden
shoe. I can guess tolerably we'll whe
has sent it. Some of these excellent
ladies wish to compare me to child
who always expects presents and never
gives any. Well, be it so. We vii
see if We cannot find some method O.
making this shoe worth its weight il
gold."'. .... -
- So saying, and scarcely saluting th'
company, Paganini withdrew to hi
own apartment, carrying with him th'
| case and its contents.
During three days he did not reap
pear in the drawing~room Nicette in
formed the company that he WORKED
from morning till night with carpen
ter's tools. In fact, the musician
whose hands were wondrously ffexi
bic and dcxtrous.. in other things be
sides violin playing, hid fashioned
perfect and sonorous instrument out G
the clumsy wooden shoe. Having en-
riched it with one silver string, hi
work was complete. Next day pull
lie notice appeared that on New Year
eve Paganini would give concert i
the large ball of the Villa Lutetian'
The great master announced that h
would play ten pieces, five on violi'
five on a wooden shoe. The price I
the tickets was fixed at twenty franz
each. Of these only one hundred we1
issued. and it is needless to add tn
they were Immediately purchased I
3 the elite Of the beau monde, who d
ring several months had missed II
J. p easure Of hearing .Paganini. II
appointed evening arrived; the ha
u furnished with comfortable chairs, "
prepared and lighted for the occasion
a elegant equipoges ve'c stationed alo'
;! the Faubourg Poissonniere, and expt
tation was on tip-toe to know what t
!" announcement respecting the wood
1t shoe could possibly mcau.
is At length Paganini appear'
u smiling, with every appearance Of
10 newed health, and on his favorite vic