Smyrna times., 1868-10-07
MOzART'S .:OXEN WALTZ"

The sensitive nature OF Mozart, that sweet
est of all musical com mpOsers, is well known
The slightest discord produced in him severe
irritation, and when engaged in musical com
position his feelings grew so intense that he
almost lost consciousness of al! going on around
him. One day he was engaged in arranging
one OF the most beautiful airs in an opera he
was composing, when the butcher called for
his pay, which had long been due In vain
his wife endeavOred to attract the attention of
the rapt artist, who scribbled away utterly un-
conscious of her presence. She ran down stairs
with tears in her eyes, telling the butcher that
her husband could not be spoken to, and that
he must come another time. But the man of
blood was not easily daunted; he must have
his bill settled, and with Mozart himself, or
he would not send him another ounce of meat.
He ascended the stairs. Mozart, dstantly con
sclOus that something had passed in his pres
ence, had continued pouring the etfusions of
his fantasia on paper, when the heavy foot
steps resounded in the hall. His stick was at
hand. Without turning his eyes from the
sheet he held his stick against the door to keep
out the intruder.
But the steps were approaching. Mozart,
more anxious, hurried as fast as he could, when
rap at the door demanded permission to en-
ter. The beautiful effusion was in danger of
being lost The affrighted composer cast a
| fugitive lance at his stick 1t was too short.
With anxiety bordering on frenzy he looked
around his room, and pole standing behind
the curtain caught his eye; this he seized,
holding it with all his might against the door,
writing like fury all the while. The knob was
turned but the pole withstOod the first effort.
A pause succeeded. Words were heard on the
staircase, and the intruder renewed his efforts
the second time But the strength Of the
composer seemed to increase with his anxiety.
Large drops of perspiratiOn stood on his fore
head. Stemming the pole against his left
breast with the force of despair, he still kept
out the visitor. He succeeded but for a mo
ment yet it was precious moment; the de-
lightiul air was poured upon the paper; 1t was
saved !
"Mr. Mozart said the butcher.
"Haltl halt ~ said the composer, seizins
the manuscript, and hurryng towards the piano
forte Down he sat, and the most delightful
air that was ever heard responded from tn,
!, instrument. Mozart finished the tune, rosC
again, and, running to the writing desk, ht
filled out what wanting.
swell, Mr. Mozart" said the butcher, wher
the artist had finished, you know tnat an
to marry.
"No, | DON'T" said Mozart, who had some
, what recovered from his musical trance.
''Well, then, you know it now; and you al
so know that you owe me money for meat"
Il do, SAID Mozart, with a sigh.
! Never mind" said the man, under who's
: blood stained coat beat feeling heart; 'y0,
make me fine waltz for my marriage ball, AM
> | will cancel the debt, and let you have mea
: for a year to come"
: ut is a bargain - cried the lively and gift
" ed Mozart; and down he sat, and a waltz wa
elected from the instrument-such waltz a
the butcher had never before heard
''Meat for a year, did l say?" exclaime
!, the enraptured butcher "No; one hundre
e ducats you shall have for this waltz; but
want it with trumpets and horns and iddles-
y you know best-and soon, too
= = "You shall have it so, said Mozart, wh
y y could scarcely trust his ears; and in one hou
j you may send for it. y
The lberal-minded butcher retired. In a
hour the waltz was set in full orchestra music
The butcher returned, was delighted with tn
e music, and paid Mozart his one hundred du
d cats-a sum more splendid than he had eve
received from the Emperor for the greatest {
Z; his operas.
1t is to this incident that the lovers of ha
N mony are indebted for one of the most charu
ing trifes, the celebrated "Oxon Waltz" =
h piece of music still unrivaled.