The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-07-29

Veyed, or diagnosed the case before
him.
lie found his patient suffering from
the prostrating effects of low fever, to
which was added intense mental excite
ment, which, as a matter Of course, ag-
gravated the original disease. The lat
ter must be removed before the former
could be touched. Such was the ply
sician's judgment, and command was
also given, that the patient must be
kept absolutely quiet for two days at
the very least. The last sentence seemed
to act upon the invalid with the force
of galvanic shock.
Starting up, and resting upon an ell
bow, he glared at the medical attendant
with something like downright anger
in his looks.
"Why, sir, 1 had you brought hither
to get me upon my feet and give me
strength by tonight. Instead of this
you coolly tell me that l am to remain
tied to this bed for a number of days.
tell you, sir, must be out of this bed
and room tonight. My fortune--yea,
my very life-almost depends upon it,"
"Yes, sir" coolly replied the Doctor,
"Your last remark is more true than
you really are aware of. Your life
would, indeed, depend on your going
where l suspect you desire to go.
eyes, DOCTOR" gently interposed the
lady,"his engagement tonight is before
the royal family, and hence his extreme
disappointment"
"Well, it is very, very vexatious
case" said the doctor, with more Of
sympathy in his voice than he had yet
shown. "But | really do not see the
slightest hope of your getting to the
theatre in condition to do your great
fame Justice"
"Well, then, most heartily do / curse
the fate that has willed it so" exclaimed
De Beriot, savagely.
"StopW exclaimed the physician. els
there none that can take your place."
The change that came over the sick
mans face was positively ludicrous in
its expression of surprise.
The lady likewise slightly elevated
her delicately arched eyebrows, in
somewhat of disdain. Not so the valet
who had been all this time noiselessly
engaged about the room, but, of course,
servant-like, allowing not one word of
all that was uttered to escape his keen
ears. Before De Beriot could speak be.
ing engaged for a moment in swallow
ing and digesting his surprise, Bastian
came forward, and with respectful salu-
tation, said:
"If one so humble as | may speak
upon matter Of so much importance,
| would beg you, my master, to try and
let me find one who will in some mea.
sure fill your place before the king
"Find ~ exclaimed DE Beriot, in an
ger. "Whom? Are you acquainted
here?"
mo, good MASTER" responded Bas
tian. "But, allow me to suggest some
thing. Last night, as was passing q
rickety house, in narrow street not
far from here, heard some one play.
ing on violin, most beautifully.
stood spell-bOund until those sweet and
wonderful tones had ceased. Good mas
ter, none but you have l ever heard
play so finely"
Charles De Beriot paid great attention
to he statement of his servant. Know.
ing him to have been fully competent
to judge, and trusting greatly to his
criticism he assigned much consequence
to the received information, and deter.
mining TO discover who the player was
said:
"Bastian, find out for me who this
artist IS"
"l was very much interested las
name of the person who played so hea
venly, but nobody could tell me. All
could learn was, that he was from the
North-a strangerhere-very poor-and
kept himself at q distance from all peo
pie"
81 should Think" interposed the doc
tor, "that somebody in this house may
know him."
De Beriot at once gave orders to hi:
servant TO call the porter to his room
that if possible he might receive some
information respecting the mysteriou
violinist. The porter came, and related
lengthy tale all of which we already
know.
Il deem it most prudent" said Fell
cita Malibran, turning to her husband
"to send Bastian and the porter to the
unknown artist, tender him an invita-
ton to our rooms, in order that you
may hear him play, and satisfy your
self of his competency TO represent yOU
at the concert tonight"
D., De Beriot consented to the PROPOSE
tion Of his wife.
Bastian, accompanied by the porter
at once set forth, and in few minutes
, reached the quarter of the city in whicl
, dwealt the unknown musician. Before
the door of q Wretched, tumble, down
: tenrment.house they paused, ant
knocked for admission. They were ad
mitted, and ascending the ill-shapeC
= stairway, were shown into small, din
r gy room, opening upon the landing
Though in some degree prepared io
d misery and poverty, the sight that me
+ their gaze caused an involuntary eXcla
n nation of sympathy.
4 Upon broken chair, the only articl
@ of furniture in the room, near the win
dow, was seated frail, delicate form
:. the head bowed forward upon his hand
: as though to shut out world of bitter
f ness, the long, fair hair hanging in dis
l heveled masses down each side of hi
face, while ever and anon,a "a deep, ,heav!
sigh would break forth with startling
: emphasis. The whole was the pictur
) of a man utterly crushed and despair