Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-03-17
MISCELLANY.
FILLIPPO PALMi; OR The POWER OF
HTSIC

(rTIff0, was ABOUT I'd CLOSE his sIOIe anu
retire to his solitary sleeping apartment
He threw a quick, searching glance
about him-pianos, guitar, household
furniture of every kind and description,
which the necessities OF tn poor or the
extravaganza of the rich had gathered
there. strewed tie room In strange con-
fusion.
After carefully surveying the whole,
and satisfying himself that no thief was
concealed within, who could dispoil him
of his boarded treasures, he turned TO
close the door, when a young man step
ped upon the threshold. His elegant
mantle only partially concealed the rich.
ness of his dress and the symmetry of
his form; he might have been about
twenty-five years of age, and withal
looked SO gay. and glad, and hfe-loving
that the old miser looked back amazed,
Gracefully raising his hat, he disclosed
a prOfusion of glossy, raven curls, and
face that might have served a painter
for an Adonis or EndymiOn. His eye
fell upon the grave, parchment-lIke fea-
lures If the old Insurer, and though he
could not restrain smile, yet he failed
To Danish the traces of care which sad
dened his brow.
Bravo, my young lord, exclaimed
Critic. Il call you man of yOur word.
L have always said that the noble lords
of Rome, aud indeed of all Italy, might
safely take their model Signor Fillippo
PaIma-nOne knew so we'll as he how to
iye-hOw TO circulate his money, and
one so punctual to return a borrowed
loan"
1t grieves me much, SignOr Critic,
that this time / so i'll deserve the praise
with which you Overwhelm me. 1 know
that to-day 1 should have repaid that
small sum"
s'Small sunni small sum- you owe me
hundred ducafs, and to-day counted
upon it. lent it. too, without pledge,
bethink you, upon your honest face; but
certainly you have brought it with inter
est, and you wish to joke with me
''WOuld to God it were so" TeiOiued
Philippe, but, believe me, we singers
carry empty pockets while the carnival
lasts; our opera managers cannot pay us
until Shrovetide Is over. Meanwhile
We must live: therefore have come to
beg y0u to double that loan. and let me
have another hundred ducats upon my
honest face.
''The d. take melif this is not rare
Joke, said the astOnished Critic. DO
Won think have found nv money, or
stolen it, that / can throw it after Won as
you scatter your light songs among the
silly crowd: No, no; l will teach You
better. / have your bond, and If L can
not jingle both money and interest in
my perse this day, you shall go to the
debtors prison and there celebrate your
carnival, unless indeed, your manager
81 the foolish sOngloving rabble of Rome
will redeem you.
"Pray listen to reason, Signor GIiffo.
III you should stand me upon my head,
not single ducat would fall out of my
pockets; wait only until the carnival is
over, and you shall see; the manager
will then pay me my arrears, and per-
haps. also, / shall be the bridegroom of
a rich lady, whose love / seek TO WOO.
L do entreat you, good Critic, let me
have the money, draw up the bond, and
will sign it.
"a wife," said Critic, thOughtfulIy;
ga widow, perhaps an heiress, who is
she? and how far has the matter gomez"
Not so far as you think. neither do 1
know who she is. / have seen her only
twice, but more is not necessary to fall
desperately in lOve-the thing is soon
finished, for she seems to be unmarried,
and to all appearance, is blessed with
e.erY earthly good"
Il will listen to you no longer, You
Young madcap; you shall go to prison
today if you cannot give me full satisfac-
ton or furnish me responsible secnrity;;"
and hereupon the old niggard flew into
paroxysm of rage, and poured forth
perfect torrent of curses, all of which
Philippe received with the most imper-
turable gravity. Resolved upon obtain
ing the loan, and hoping to gain his
point as soon as the storm has passed
by, Filhppo meanwhile stepped to an
open piano and began to play favorite
aria, which had lately gained him much
applause. Seeing, however, that CRITICS
wrath was rather in flow than the ebb,
he eased himself and began to sing the
aria. which he supported with vigor-
Gus accompaniment. He had at first
no other intention than to show his firm
resolution, and to appear as unembar-
rassed and as much at his ease as posi-
ble; but when he perceived that the old
man listened with delighted astonish-
ment, he began to singin style worthy
OF FIllippo Palma, the most celebrated
singer of his time. A mirror hanging
opposite reflected the face of the miser,
and Fillippo watched with anxious in
terest the various emotions which pass
ed through his soul and warmed into
life his stern, rigid features. AT first
the muscles of his face relapsed and ex-
banded as the full, deep tones trembled
through the hail; then, as the swelling
waves of rich melody rose and sank In
wild sport and play, the angular fea-
lures gradually formed themselves into
sweet smile, and the man of gain.
who had until now listened to the sound
Of gold, stood spellbound; light was
In his Ieaden, soulless eye, and his lips
trembled. IL was as though an angel
otbeanty had touched him with hismag-
&c wand, so complete was the transfer
nation; the clear, rich tones of melody
lell upon his soul as the warm, bright
lays of the sun upon the earth after a
long rainy season. As Palma at last
With lively emotion and brilliant pass
ages. drew toward the close, Critic
could no longer remain quiet in his cor
her; he strove to express by the motion
Of his limb the spirit of music; noisless-
ne moved that he might not by an
uhlucky step interrupt the sweet-tOned
stream Of enchanting melody. AS the