The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-01-28

UtYDN'S FIRST LESSONS In MUSIC
AND LOVE.

The Hungarians, like the Austrians
and Bohemians, have great love for
music. "Three fiddlcs and a dulci-
mer for two houses" says the prOverb;
and it is true one. IT is not unusual,
| therefore, for some out of the poorer
classes, when their regular business
fails to bring them i'm sufficient for their
wants, to take to the fiddle, the dulci-
mer or the harp, playing on holidays,
on the highway or in taverns. Inns
employment is generally lucrative
enough, if they are not spendthrifts, to
enable them not only to live, but to
Law by something for their future ne
cessities.
An honest wheelwright, called "merry
| Jobst,u on account of his stories ana
Jokes, lived with Elschen his wife, in
cottage in the hamlet Rohrau, on the
borders of Hungary and Austria. They
were accustomed to sit by the wayside
near the inn on holidays (; Jobst fid-
ding, and Eischen playing the harp
and singing with her clear, sweet
voice. Almost every traveller stopped
to listen, well pleased, and on resum-
ing his journey. threw often IA silver
twopence into the lap of the pretty
Young woman. Jobst and his wife, OIL
returning home in the evening, found
their days work good one.
The old cantor of the neighborlng
town of Hamburg passed along the
road one afternoon, and i'll the arbor
opposite the inn, sat merry Jobst fid>
ding, and beside him pretty Elschen,
playing the harp and singing. Between
them, ON the ground, sat little chub-
by-faced boy about three years old, who
had a small board, shaped like yiO-
lin hung about his neck, on which he
PLAYED with willow twig as with a
genuine fiddle bow. The most comi-
cal and surprising thing of all was, that
the little man kept perfect time, paus-
ing when his father paused ana ms
IN other had a solo, then falling In with
His father again, and demeaning HIM
self exactly like him. Often, too, he
would lift up his clear voice, and join
distinctly in the refrain of the song.
"Is that your boy, fiddler?" asked
the music-teacheI.
"Yes, sir, that is my little Seperl. VS.
"The little fellow seems to have a
taste for music"
"Why not? 1 shall take him as
soon as l can to one who can teach
him."
The lntor came fro.S this time, twice
a week to the house Of merry Jobst to
talk with him about his little sOn, and
the youngster himself was soon the
best of friends with the good-natured
old man. So matters went Oh for two
wears. at the end of which time the
cantor said to Jobst, "If you will trust
YOUR lad with me, will take him, and
teach him what he must learn to be.
come: a brave lad, and a skillful mu-
sician.o
Jobst did not hesitate long, for he
saw clearly what an advantage the in
struction of Master Wolferl would be
to his son. And though it went harder
with pretty Elschen to part with Jo-
seph, who was her only child, yet she
gave up at last. She packed up the
bows scanty wardrobe in bundle, gave
him a slice of bread and salt and cup
of milk, embraced and blessed him and
accompanied him to the door OF the
cottage, where she signed him with the
sign of the cross one, two and
three times, and then returned to her
chamber. Jobst went with them half
way TO Hamburg, and then returned,
while Wolferl and Joseph pursued their
way till they reached WOlfrePs house,
the end of their journey.
Wolferl was an old bachelor, but one
whose heart, despite his gray hairs, was
still youthful and warm. He gave dali
ly lessons to the little Joseph, and
taught him good principles, os well AS
how to sing and to play on the horn
and the kettle drum; and Joseph prof
tied thereby, as well as by the other IN
structions he received i'll music.
Years passed, and Joseph was we'll
instructed boy he had voice as clear
and fine as his mothers, and played
the violin as well as his father; he like.
wise blew the horn, and beat the Kettle
drum, in the sacred music prepared 10y
Wolferl for church festivals. Better
than all, Joseph had true and honest
heart; had the fear of God continually
before his eyes, and was ever contented,
and wished well to all
The more Wolferl perceived the lads
wonderful talent for art, the more ear
nestly he sought to find patron for
him, for he felt that his own strength
could reach little further, when he saw
the zeal and ability with which his pu-
piI devoted himself to his studies. Prov
idence so ordered it at length, that
Master Won Reuter-, chapel-mas:er and
musical director in st. Stephen S
Church, Vienna, came TO visit the dea-
con at Hamburg. The deacon told
Master Won Reuter- of the eXtraordlna-
nv boy, the son of the wheelwrlght,
Jobst Haydn, the pupil of old Wolferll,
and created in the echapel-master much
desire to become acquainted with him.
The next morning, accordingly, Won
| Reuter- went to Wolferl's house, which
he entered quietly, and unannounced.
Joseph was sitting alone at the organ
playing simple, but sublime piece of
sacred music from an old German mas
Ter, Reuter-, astonished and delighted,
| stood at the door and listened atten-
lively. s4ile boy was SO deep in his
music, that he did not perceive the in
truder till the piece was concluded,
when, accidentally turning round, he
fixed upon tie stranger his large, dark
eyes, expressive of establishment, in
deed, but sparkling friendly well
come.
every well played, my son /! " said
Won Reuter-, at last. Where is your
| foster-fathcr
ain the garden" sad the boy, "shall
/ call him ~
"CalI him, and say to him that tn
chapel-master Won Reuter- wishes to
speak to him. Stop a moment! You
are Joseph Haydn, are you not?"
4" Yes, L am SepeTl."
"Well, then, 60"
Joseph went and brought his Old
master Woiferl who, with uncovered
head and low obeisance welcomed the
chapcl-master and musical director ut
st. Stephen's to his humbl,. abode
Won Rieuter, on his part, praised the
musical skill of hi; protige, inquired
particularly concerning the lads at
tainments, and examined him formal-
ly himself. Joseph passed eNamina-
ton in such manner that Won Reu-
teT's satisfaction increased with every
answer. After this, hespent some time
in close conference with old Wolferl ;
and il was near noon before he took
his departure. Joseph was invited to
accompany him, and spend the rest OF
the day at the deacon's.
Eight days after, old Wolfcrl, Jobst
and pretty Eschen, the younger son,
| little Michael on her lap, sat very de
). jectedly together and talked of the good
Joseph, who had gone, that morning,
with Master Won Rieuter, to Vienna, tC
take his place as chorister in st. Ste.
/ phen's church.
III.
Ivo,,,ol puderIein. noted hoir-dreSs