The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-11-01
History Of > Wooden Shoe.

Was annOunCcO amongst the arllstIc cir
cles of Paris that Nicola Paganini had
fallen seriously ill at the conclusion of a
grand concert given by the illustrious
violinist. He was atttcked by low, in
termitting fever, which refused to yield
to the remedies employed. and even gave
rise to apprehensicns for his life
| Paganini. whose leanness was already
almost spectral, now seemed to have his
fraiI existence suspended by athread,
which the slightest shock might sever.
The physicians unanimously ordered soli-
tude, absolute repose, anu a strict regi-
men as to his diet.
/ In order to carry out these prescrip-
tions, Paganini removed to the Villa Lu-
| teaiana, in the Faubourg Possonniere
This excellent establishment, which no
longer exsists, was intended exclusively
valids. A spacious, comfortable house
stood in a large, park like garden, where
| each patient could ramble at will, and en-
| joy either solitude or society at his choice.
=
every one lived just as he or she pleased;
in the evening either retiring to the soil
tude of their apartment, or joining the
games, music, and conversation held in
the drawing room. Paganini naturally
belonged to these who preferred passing
| the evenings in quietness and retirement
| There was plenty of gossip about him
in the drawing room; three or four cen
serious old maids fell on him tooth and
nail
Ladies' began one, "have you seen
this great musician? He takes his bowl
OF soup in an arbour in the garden, and
then hastens away if any one approaches.
What an oddity 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"
Not at ALL added third: '.Paganini
is a mser; 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 violinst refused
to take part in it because he would have
had to play gratuitosuly. Depend upon it
he fears that were he to mix in our soci-
ETY. he might be asked for similar favors.'
Paganini guessed pretty we'll how he
was regarded by his fellow-boarders, but,
| like Gallileo OF old, he cared for none Of
these things. His health became grad
ually better, yet in the whole house he
never exchanged a word with any one
who attended on him; a cheerful, innocent
country girl, whose gay prattle, when she
served his meals, often availed to dispel
the cloud which habitually drkened the
brows of Paganini.
One morning Nicette presented herself
with a sad dropping counterance. and
served breakfast without utterng word.
| The musician who was amusing himself
carving a peice of ivory for .hehandle of
a dagger, noticed the chan:e in the
young girl, and Questioned he upon it.
..What's the matter, my child? You
look sad; your eyes are red; SINE mis-
fortune has befallen you, Nicett?"
.'Oh, yes! sir
/ "Would it be indiscrcet to ,sk you
what it is?'
"No, sir, not precisely, but
Paganini fixed his great black yes on
the girls troubled countenance.
Come" he said; Il see how it is.
After having made you a athousandorom-
ises he has quilted you, and you no onger
have any tidings of him.
| "Ah. poor fellow. He has quite me
| certainly. but it was not his fault.''
How is that:''
Because in the conscription he ccw
a bad number, and he has been sent aay
with great long gun on his shouler.
and shall never see him again, sobed
poor Nicette, as she buried her facein
her white aporn.
But, Nicette, could you not purchae
a substitute for him?'
8 The girl, withdrawing her apron, smill
sadly through her tears.
Monsieur is jesting," she said, '.ho.
could / ever buy sudstitute?''
Does it cost very dear?"
This year men are tremendously dea
on account of the report that there il
going to be war. Fifteen hundred franc
is the lowest price"
; The musician pressed Nicette's ,ittl
plump hand between his long sallow fin
gers, as he said:
IF that is all, my girl, don't cry; vel
see what can be done,''
Then, taking out his pocket book, b
wrote on q blank leaf
..Mem.-To see about giving concer
for the benfit of Nicette."
: A month passed on; winter arrived
and Paganini's physician said to him.