The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1866-11-29
HISTORY OF A WOODEN
SHOE.

from Once Week. :.
Towards theend Of September, 1882,
it was announced amongst the rtistic
circles Of Paris, that Nicolo Paganini
had fallen: seriously ~, at the: ,oonclu:
sion of a. grand concert given by an
illustrious violinlst. He. was attacked
BY low intermitting fever, which re-
fused to .jicld to the reme'lles employed,
and even gave rise to apprehensions for
his life.
Paganini. whose leanness was already
almost spectral, now seemed to have
his frail existence suspended by a
thread, which The slightest shock might
sever. The physicians unanimously
ordered solitude, absolute reposc, and a
strict regimen as to diet.
In order to carry out these prescrip-
tions, Paganini removed to the Villa
Lutetiana, in the Fanbrourg Poisson
nier. This excellent establishment,
which no longer exists, was intended
exclusively for the reception and cure
Of wealthy invalids. "A spacious, COM
Portable house stood in large, park
like garden, where each patient could
ramble. at will and enjoy either solitude
VI society at his choice A great charm
Of this house was that every ono lived
just as he or she pleased; in the eve
ming either retiring to the solitude Of
his apartment, or joining in the games,
music and conversation held in the
drawing room. Paganini naturally be.
longed to those who preferred passing
the evening in quietaess 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.
"had'es, began one, shave you seen
this great musician? He salutes no
one, and never speaks a word. He
takes bis bowl Of soup in an arbor in
the garden, and then hastens away it
any one approaches. What an oddity
he must be ?" :"
"That's part of his malady," said
another -; F'people say that there is some
love.story, I imagine"
"Not at ALL" added third "Paga-
mini is miser; there IS 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 be.
cause he would have to play gratui.
tously. Depend upon it, he tears that.
we're lie to mix in our society, he might
be asked for similar favors."' ~
"Paganini guessed pretty we'll how
he was regarded by his tellow boarders
but, like Gallo Of old, hez cared fo'
none Of these things, His health be
came gradually better, yet in the Who'll.
house he never exchanged a word will
any one except Nicette., This was th'
hoorsemaid who attended on him
a cheerful, innocent country girl, who's
gay prattle, when she served his meals
often availed to dispel the cloud whicl
habitually darkened the broMs Of Pa
ganini.
One morning Nicctte presented hc'
self with sad, dropping countcnanct
and served breakfast without uttcring
: word. The musician, who was anu:
ing himself with carving piece {
ivory for the handle Of a dagger, nj
. ticed the change in the young girl, an
questioned her upon it.
i "What's the matter, my child Yo
: look sad; your eyes src red; SON
. misfortune has befallen you, Nicette
+, 20 yes! SIR"
"Would it be indiscrcet to ask ye
what it is?"
}, "No sir, not precisely ; but"
Paganini fixed his great black ey
! on the girls troubled countenance.
= "Come," he said 81 sec how it
3, After having made you g. thou$a'
promises he has quilted you, and y
no longer have any tidings Of him I"
"Ah poor fellow! He has quit
.; n me certainly, tut it was not his fau
h. "How is that p
''Bccause in the conscri ption he dr.
IL a bad number, and he has been Sc
r. away with u great long gun on
shoulder, and I shall never see h
n.Y