The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-01-28
ssozAar,s OXEN WALTZ.

The sensitive nature Of Mozart, that sweet |
est Of all musical composers, Ia well known.
The slig ghteSt discord produced in him severe
Irritation. and when engaged in musical
composition his feelings grew so intense that
he almost lost consciousness Of all going on
aronnd him One day he was engaged IN
arranging ons Of the most beautiful airs In
an opera ne was composing. when the butch
.r called for his pay, which had long been
due. In vain his wife endeavored to at
tract he attention Of the rapt artist. who
scribbled away, utterly unconcious of her
presence. She ran domn stairs with tears
IL her eyes. telling the butcher that her hus-
baud could not be spoken to- and that he
must come another time. But the man OF
Liooi was Dot easily to be daunted he
must have his bill settled, and speak with
Mozart himself or he would not send him
another ounce of meat. He assembled the
stairs. Mozart, dIstantly concious that
omething had passed in his presence, had
continued pouring the illusions of his fan
tssiH on paper when the heavy foot steps
resounded in the hall. His stick was at
hand. Without turning his eyes from the
sheet. held his stick against the door to keep
ont the iutTu.cr.
But tho steps were approaching, Mozart,
more anxious hurried as fast as he could " hen
& wrap at the door demanded permission to
enter. The beautiful effaSion was in dan
ger Of being lost. The affrighted composer
cast fugitive glance at his stick it was
too short. With anxiety bordering on fren-
~, he looked around his room, aud pole
standing behind the curtain caught his eve
;hIs he seized. holding it with all his might
against the door, writing like fury all the
"hiic. The knob was turned but the pole
Wl:hstood the first effort. A pause succeed
ed Words were heard OF the stair case. AID
the intruder renewed his efforts the second
time. But the strength of the composer
seemed 10 increase with his anxiety. Large
drops Of perspiration stood on his forehead.
Stemming the pole against his left breast
with the force of despair, he still kept ont
the visitor. He succeeded but for q moment,
vet it was precious moment; the delight
fnl air was poured upon the paper it was
saved!
'M:. MozArt-''said the butcher.
"IlaIt! halt" said tie composer. seizing
the manuscript, and hurrying toward the
piano-fur Down he sat, and the most de
lightfnl air that was ever heard responded
from the instrument. The eyes Of his wife,
end even Of the butcher, began to moisten
Mozar. finished the tuae. rose again, and,
running 70 the wrtug-de5k, he filed out
what was Wanti0g.
"Well, Mr.. Mozart." said the butcher,
when the Nrtist had flushed, 'you know
that am to marry"
mo. 1 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"
81 do" said Mozart. with sigh.
Never mind" said the man. under
whose btoOc-stained coat beat feeling
heart; 'you make me q waltz for my mar
rage bail, aud l will cancel the debt, and
let you have meat for a year to come"
''lt is q bargainl" cried the lively and
gifted Mozart; and down he sat, and waltz
elected from the instrument-such a
waltz as the butcher had never before
heard.
Meat for a year. did say 7'' exclaimed
tme enraptured butcher. No: Que hun
6red ducats you shall have for the waltz.
bUs [ want it with trumpets and horns and
tciies-you know best-and soon tpo!''
You shall have it so." said Mozart, who
ccEld scarcely trust his ears, "and in an
hour you may send for it,"
The liberal-minded butcher retired. In
an hour the waltz was set in full orchestra
music. The butcher returned. was delight
ed with the music, and paid Mozart his one
hundred duca.s,- sum more splendid than
fie had ever received from the Emperor for
the greatest of his operas
Il Is to this incident that the lovers of har-
Dony arc Indebted for one of the most
LnaIm'ng TRIES. the celebrated Oxen
waltz, "a piece of music still uurivaled.