The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-06-12
FILLIPPO PALMA.
THE POWER OF MUSIC.
FROM THE eRRMAN OF wALDBRUcH

TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF wALDBRUcH.
The rich old miser and pawnbroker,
Critic, was about to close his store and re-
tire to his solitary sleeping apartment
He threw quick, searching glance about
him pianos, guitars, household furniture
of every kind and description, which the
necessities of the poor, or the extrava-
gance of the rich, had gathered there,
strewed the room in strange confusion.
After cautiously surveying the whole,
and satisfying himself that no thief was
fconcealed within, who could despoil him
of his boarded treasures, he turned to
close the door, when young man step
lped 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 twenty five
years of age, and withal looked SO gay,
and glad, and life loving, that the old mi
ser drew back amazed. Gracefully rails
| ing his hat, he disclosed profusion of
glossy, raven curls, and face that might
have served painter for an Adonis Of
Endymion. His eyes fell upon the grave,
parchment-like features Of the old usurer,
and though he could not restrain smile,
yet he failed to Danish the traces of care
which saddened his brow.
"Bravol my young lord" exclaimed
Critic. 81 call you 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 Fillip-
Epo Palma--none know SO well as he how
! to live-how to circulate money, and
none so punctual to return a borrowed
loan"
at grieves me much Signor Critic, that
this time l so i'll deserve the praises with
which you overwhelmed me. I know
that to-day | should have repaid the
small sum-
"Small sunni small sunni You owe me
/ a hundred ducats, 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 me?"
"Would to God it were So" rejoined
Fillippo, "but, believe me, We singers
carry empty pockets while the carnival
lasts; our opera managers cannot pay US
until Shroyetide is over. Meanwhile we
must live, therefore / have come to beg
you to double the loan, and let me have
another hundred ducats upoE my honest
face." 4o s1e
"The ID take me! if that is nota rare
joke" said the astonished Critic. "Do
you think l have found my money or sto-
len it. that / can throw it after you as you
scatter your light songs among the silly
crowd? No, no, I will teach you better;
l have your bond, and if / cannot jingle
beth 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 fool-loving
rabble of Rome will redeem you.''
'Pray, listen to reason, Signor Critic.
IF you should stand me on nay head, not
a single ducat would fall out of my pock-
ct; wait only until the carnival is over,
and you shall see; the manager will then
pay me my arrears, and, perhaps, | shall
also be the bridegroom of rich lady,
whose love seek now to WOO. / do en-
treat you, good Critic, let me have the
money, draw up the bond, and j will sign
it.,
IA wife, said Critic, thoughtfully; ga
widow, perhaps an heiress. Who is she2
and how far has the matter gomez"
mot SO far as you think, neither do I
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 ev-
cry earthly good"
81 will listen to you no longer, you
young madcap; you shall go to prison to-
day if you cannot give me full satisfac-
ton or furnish me responsible security,
and hereupon the old niggard few into a
paroxysm of rage, and poured forth a per-
feet torrent of curses, all of which Fill
lippo received with the most imperturable
gravity. Resolved upon obtaining the
loan, and hoping to gain his point as soon
as the storm had passed by, Fillippo
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 the flow than in the ebb, he seated
himself and began to sing the aria, which
he supported with vigorous accompani,
ment. He had at first no other intention
than to show his firm resolution and to
appear as unembarrassed and as much al
his ease as possible, but when he per.
ceived that the old man listened with de.
lighted astonishment, he began to sing ir
a style worthy of Fillippo Palma, the
most celebrated singer of his time.
Is A mirror hanging opposite reflected the
face of the mlser, and Fillippo watched
with anxious interest the various emotions
which passed through his soul and warm
ed into life his stern, rigid features. A
first the muscles of his face relapsed and
expanded as the full deep tones trembleG
through the hall; then as the swelling
waves Of rich melody rose and sank ii
wild sport and play, the angular features
gradually formed themselves into swee
smile, and the man Of gain, who had un
til new only listened to the sound Of gold
stood spell bound; light was in his lead
len, soulless eye, and his lips trembled.-
Itwas as though an angel of beauty hat
touched him with his magic wand,so com
plete was the transformation. The clear
rich tones Of melody fell upon his soul al
the warm BRIGHT rays of the sun unor