Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-04-19
NTYCSELLANY.
FILLIPPOPALMA; OR, THEPOW'
Err OF MUSIC.


Translated from the German OF WaldbruchlJ
The rich old i;!iscr and pawnbroker Gritio,
was about to close lis store and retire to his
solitary sleeping apartment. Hethrcw quick
searching glance about him-pianos, guitars,
household furniture of every kind and descrlp-
ton. which the necessities cf the poor, or the
extravaganza of the rich had gathered there,
strcwcd the room in strange confusion.
.Aftcr cautiously surveying tie whole, and
satisfying himself that 10 thief was concealed
within, who could despoil Linn of his boarded
treasures. he turned to close the door, when
young man stepped upon the threshold Ills
elegant mantle only PARTLY concealed the
! riie,anrss Of lbs 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 life-loving, that the old miser drew back
amazed. Gracefully liftinghis hat, hediscloscd
a prorusion of glossy, raven curls, and a face
that might have served painter for an Adonls
Or Endymonion. His eye fell upon the grave,
parchment-like features of the old usnrer, 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.
. | call you man of your word. have al
ways said that the noble lords of Rome, and III
deed of all Italy, might safely take for their
model Signor Fillippo Palma-none know SO
well as he how to live-how to circulate his
money, and none so punctual to return bor-
rowed loan"
at grieves me much, Signor Critic, that this
time so ill-descrve the praise which you over
whelm me. know that to-day ! should have
repaid that small sum"
"Small sum small sum, you owe me a
hundred ducats, and to-day | counted upon it;
| lent it, too, without pledge, methink you,
upon your honest face but certainly You have
brought it with interest, and YOU wish to joke
with me"
Would to God it were so, reoined lillippo,
' but, believe me, we singers carry empty poik-
cts while the Carnival lasts our opera mana
gers cannot pay It's until Shrovetidu 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
1.-The ID take me if that is not rare
ioke." said the. astonished Critic. "Do you
think 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
/ if cannot jingle both money and interest in
my purse this day, you shall go to the debtor 5
prison and there celebrate your carnival, unless,
indeed, your manager or the foolish song-lov-
ing rabblc of Rome will redeem you"
"Pray listen 70 reason, Signor Grifio. If
you should stand me upon my head, not SIN
Gle ducat would fall out of my pocket wait
only until the carnival is over, and YOU shall
see; the manager will then pay my arrears,
and perhaps. also shall be the bridegroom of
rich lady, whose love seek now to WOO. /
do cntrcat you, good Griffo, let me have the
money, draw up the bond and viii signit
\ wife" said Griffo, thoughtlully, a wid-
ow, perhaps an heircss, who is she? and how
far has the matter gomez
Not vet so far as you think, neither do |
know who she is; have seen her only twice,
but more is not necessary to fall desperately in
love, and once in love--the thing is soon finish
ed. for she seems to be unmarried, and TO all
appearance is blessed with every earthly good.
Twill listen toyou no longer. you young
madcap; you shall 60 to prison to-day if you
cannot give me full satisfaction or furnish nc
responsible security and horcupon the old
niggard few into paroxysm Of rage, and