The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-24
FTT4IPPO PALMA: ::
OR, THE POWER OF music.

IfunStdfed from me German QT WGldbrUehG.
! The rich old miser and pawnbroker Critic
was about to close his store and retire to his
solitary sleeping apartment He threw quick,
searching glance about him--pianos, guitars
household furniture OF every kind and descrlp-
ton, which the necessities of the poor or the
extravaganza of the rich had gathered there
strewed the room in strange confusion.
After cautiously Surveying the whole, and
satisfying himself that no thief was concealed
within, who could despoil him of his boarded
treasures, he turned to close the door, when a
young man stepped upon the threshold. His
elegant mantle only partially concealed the
richness 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 le-loving, that the old miser drew
back amazed. Gracefully raising his hat, he
disclosed profusion OF glossy raven curls, aud
q face that might have served painter for an
Adouis or Endymion. His eyes fell upon the
grave, parchment-hke features OF the old usurer,
and though he could not restrain o smile, yet
he failed to Danish the traces of care which sad
dened his brow.
''Bravo, my young lord :" exclaimed Grifo. 81
call you q man Of your word. / have always
said that the noble lords of Rome, and indeed Of
all Italy, might safely take for their model Signor
Fil1ppo Palma-none knew so well as he how
punctual to return borrowed loan.n
'It grieves me much, Signor Critic, that this
time so i'll deserve the praise with which you
overwhelm me. l know that to-day l should
have repaid that small sum-"
''Small sunni small sum! you owe me hun
dred ducats, and to-day counted upon it.
lent it, too, without pledge, bethnk you, upon
your honest face; but certainly you have brought
1t with interest, and you wish TO Joke with me-"
'Would to God 1t were So" rejoined Filppo,
''but, believe me, we sicgers 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 you to double that loan, and let me have
another hundred ducats upon my honest face"
''The ID take me If that is not rare Joke, ("
ga16
have found my money or stolen it, that can
throw it after you as you scatter your light
songs among the silly crowd? No, no, will
teach you better; | have your bond, and ii
cannot jingle both money and interest in my
purse this day, you shall go to the debtors
prison and there celebrate your carnival, unless,
indeed, your manager or the foolish song-roving
Tabbie of Rome will redeem you.n
''Pray listen to reason, Signor Critic. If you
should stand me upon my head, not single
ducat would fall out of my pocket; wait only
until the carnival is over, and you shall see;
manager shall then pay me my arrears and
perhaps, also, shall be the bridegroom of a rich
lady, whose love l seek now to WOO do en-
treat you, good Critic let me have the money
draw up the bond, and will sign it."
"a WIFE" said Grifo, thoughtiully; "a widow,
perhaps an heress; who is she, and how far has
the matter gone !"
''No, so iar as you think; neither do ! know
who she is. l 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
every earthly good"
ii will listen to you no longer, you young
madcap; you shall go to prison to-day if yOI
cannot give me full satisfaction or furnish me
responsible security;" and hereupon the old mig
gard few into a paroXysm of rage, and poured
forth z perfect torrent of curses, all OF which
Filippo received with the most lmperturbablC
gravity. Resolved upon obtaining the loan anC
hoping to gain his point as soon as the storm
had passed by, Filppo meanwhile stepped to al
open piano and began to play tayorite aria
which mad lately gained him much applause
Seeing however, that sGrifo's wrath was rathe
in the flow than in the ebb, he seated himself an(
Gegan to sing the aria, which he supported will
vigorous accompaniment He had at first NJ
other Intention than TO show his firm resolution
and to appear as unembarrassed and rs much a
his ease as possible; but when he perceived
that the old man listened with delightet
astonishment, he began to sing in
style worthy of 'Filippo Palma, the mos
celebrated singer OF his time. A mir
TOR hanging opposite reflected the face o
the miser, and Filippo watched with anNou
interest the various emotions which passed
through his soul and warmed into lite his stern
rigid features. AT first the muscles Of his fac
relapsed and expanded as the full, deep tone
trembled through the hall; then, as the swellin
waves of rich melody rose and sank in wild spoI
and play, the angular features gradually iorme
themselves into sweet smile, and the man c
gain, who had until now listened only to tn
sound Of gold, stood spell-bound; light was i
his leaden, soulless eye, and his lips trembled
It was as though an angel of beauty had touche
him with his magic wand so complete was tn
transformation; the clear, rich tones of melod
fell upon his soul as the warm, bright rays G
the sun upon the earth after long rainy sea son
As Palma at last with lively emotion AM
brilliant passages drew towards the close, Grit
could no longer remain quiet in his corner; h
strove to express by the motions OF his limbs th
spirit of music; noiselessly he moved that h
might not by an unlucky step interrupt III
sweettoned stream OF enchanting melody. AS til
aria was concluded, aud Critic stood pantins
wpng the perspiratlon from his forehead, til
singer stepped up to him with smile and sale
"How is it, SignOr Critic will you loan n
the ducats now; or will you at least listen to n
explanation, and net interrupt me with yol
curses?"
''Curse I curse ?-no, Heaven forbi d--tl
n money 1 will count out directly, my sol
You are magician, and have begitched m
Upon your honest face, or your golden voic
loan it without interest, il 1t must be so"
''No no, that is more than / ask, my wortl
sir Be assured you do me great favor, whiC
I shall not forget after the carnival when | q
ahappy bridegroom and rich man, Flip
quickly gathered up the money, and vanish
through the street door, and Critic awoke as
from heavy dream, TO a consciousness OF VIII
he had done. At first he seemed to repent
generosity, then, shaking his grey locks, in,
UNFAIRLY exclaimed, "He has voice he C