Baton Rouge tri-weekly gazette & comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1865-18??, 1868-05-12
Tbe 6a2ette a1ro Comet,

sensitive nature of Mozart, that
sweetest Of all musical composers, 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
all that was going on around him.
A story is told in Whitney's Musi-
cal guest which strikingly illustrates
this. Mozart was engaged in ar
ranging 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 wrapt artist, who
scribblsd away utterly unconscious
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
to be daunted-he must have his
bill settled, and speak with Mozart
himself-and he would not send him
another ounce of meat. He assembled
the stairs Mozart, distantly con-
scious that something had passed in
his presence, had continued pouring
the illusions of his fantasia on pa
per when the heavy footsteps re-
sounded 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 in
truders.
"But the steps were approaching.
Mozart, more anxious hurried as fast
he could, when a rap at the door de-
handed permission to enter The
beautiful effusion was in danger of
being lost. The afrighted compo-
serolc cast a fugitive glance at his
stick-it was too short. With anx.
iety bordering on frenzy he looked
around his room, and pole stand
ing behind the curtain cought his
eye; this he seized, holding it with
all his might against the door, writ
ing 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,
aud the intruders renewed their ef-
forts the second time. But the
strength Of the composer seemed to
increase with his anxiety. Large
drops of perspiration stood on his
forehead. Stemming the pole against
his left breast with the force of de-
spair, he still kept out the visitors
He succeeded but for moment, yet
it wasta precious moment-the de-
lighttul air was poured upon the pa
pert was saved!
"Mr. Mozart" said the butcher
"Halt /! haiti said the composer,
Selling the manuscript, and hurrying
toward the piano-forte Down he
sat, and the most delightful air that
was ever heard responded from the
instrument. The eyes of his wife,
and even of the butcher, began to
moisten. Mozart finished the tune,
rose again, and, running to the
writing desk, he filled out what was
wanting.
"Well, Mr.. MozaN,' said the
butcher, when the artist had finished,
you know that | am to marry
"No, I do not said Mozart, who
had somewhat recovered from his
musical trance.
"Well, then, you know it now,
and. you also know that you owe me
money for meat
al do said Mozart, with sigh.
"Never mind said the man, I'M
der whose blood-stained coat beat
feeling heart; you make me a fine
waltz for my marriage ball, and I
will cancel the debt, and let you
have meat for a year to come |
alt is bargain 7 cried the lively |
and gifted Mozart; and down he sat, |
and waltz was elected from the |
instrument such a waltz as the
butcher had never before heard.
"Meat for a year, did I say 7 ex-
claimed the enraptured butcher. No!
one hundred ducats you shall have
for this waltz, but / want it with
trumpets and horns and fddles-you
know best-and soon, too!'
"You shall have it so,' said Mo-
Fart, who could scarcely trust his
ears, and in one hour you may send
for it. z.
"The liberal.minded butcher re-
tired. In an hour the waltz was set
in full orchestra music. The butcher
returned, was delighted with the
music, and paid Mozart his one hun