Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-12-01
NO. H..
Becthevcn's Moonlight ssnata.

L
terward sup with me. Inpassing through
some dark. narrow street, he paused sud
denly. :. Hush ~ he said, "what sound
is that? 1t is from my symphony in +"
he said. eagerly. I" IIark how well it is
PLAYED - 1t was little, mean dwelling,
aud we paused outside and listened. The
player went on, but in the midst Of the
fnaie there was sudden break, then tho
voice of sobbing: u cannot play any
more-it is so Leautiful--it is so utterly
beyond my power to do 1t justice. Ol
what would not give to go to the concert
at Cologne" ''Ah my sister" said her
companion, "why create regrets when
there is 10 remedy? We eau scarcely
pay onr rent" You are right; and yet
wish, for once in my life. to hear some
really good music. But it is of no use."
Beethoven looked at me. Let usgo in,"
he said. ..Go in ~ exclaimed. "What
can we go in for? g l will play to her.
he said in an excited tone. Here is feel
ng-genius-understanding. will play
and she will appreciate it - And before
| could prevent him his hand was upon
the door. A pale young man was sitting
by the table making shoes, and near him,
leaning sorrowfully upon an old-fashioned
harpsicherd, sat young girl, with pro-
fusion of light hair falling over her bent
face
Both were clcanly but very poorly dress
cd, and both started and turned toward US
as we entered. Pardon me" said Beeth-
oven, :" but L heard music, and was temp 4
ted to enter. | am musician" The.
girl blushed. and the young man looked
grave, somewhat annoyed. "l-l also
overheard something Of what you said,"
continued my friend You wish to hear
that is, you would like--that Is, you
would lke-that is-shall play for you!'
There was something so odd in the whole
affair, and something 50 eccentric and
pleasant in the manner of the speaker,
that the ice seemed broken in a moncnt.
and all smiled voluntarily. Thank you"
said the shoemaker; but our hnrpsic-
hord is so wrecked, and we have no music"
mo music" echoed my friend, "How
then does the Frau Elm" He paused
and colored up. for the girl looked round
full at him, and he saw that she was blind.
IL entrcat your pardon" he stammer-
ed e" butt had not perceived before.
Then You play from carp 'Entircly."
:. And where do you hear the music since
you frequent no conccrts!' used to
hear lady practicing near us when We
lived at Bruhl, two years ago. During
the summer evenings her windows were
generally open, and | walked to and fri
outside To listen to her.. And have you
never heard any musicT' None, except
ing street-music." She seemed shy, so
Beethoven said no more, but seated him
self quietly before the piano aud began to
play. He had no sooner touched the first
chord than knew what would follow
how grand would be that night. And |
was not mistaken. Never, during all the
years knew him, did hear him play as
he then played to that blind girl and her
brother lie was inspired; and fro,n
the instant that his fingers began to wand
er along the keys the very tone of the in
strument began to grow swcctcr and moro
equal. The brother aud sister were silent
with wonder and rapture. The former
laid aside his work the latter, with her
head bent slightly forward, and her hands
pressed tightly over her breast, croucicS
down near the end of the harpsicliord rs
if fearful lest even the beating Of her
heart should break the flow of those magi-
cal sweet sounds. 1t was as IL VIC were
all bound in strange dream and oniy
feared to awake. Suddenly the fame ~
the single candle wavercd, sunk, fickcrcd
and went out Beethoven paused, and
throw open the shutters, admitting foJd
of brilliant moonlight. The roon was
almost as light as before, and the illnmina-
ton fell strongest upon the piano anu
PLAYER. But the chain of his ideas scent
ed to have been broken by the accident.
His head dropped upon his breast, his
hands rested upon his knees, he seemed
absorbed in meditation. 1t was thus for
some time. At length the young shoe
maker rose and approached him eagerly,
vet revcrently. Wonderful man - he
said. in low tone, "wbo and what are
vou?' The composer smiled rs he only
could smile, benevolenty, indulgently,
kindly. Listen" he said, and he play
ed the opening bars of the symphony in
+. A. cry of recognition burst from them
both, and exclaiming. Then you urc
Beethoven {" They covered his hands with
tears and kisses. lie rose TO so. but we
held him back with tears and entrcaties.
/" PLAY to us once more---only once more =
He suffered himself to be led back to the
instrument. The moon shone brightly in
through the window, and lit up his glori-
Gus rugged head and figure. Il will i'm
proyise sonata to the moonlight y Look
ing up thoughtful to tho sky and stars.
then his hands dropped on the keys, and no
began playing sad, and infinitely lovely
movement which crcpt over the instru-
utcnt like the calm flow Of moonlight ovor
the dark earth. This was followed by a
wild, el6n passage in triple tiIne--a sort
of erotesaue interludc like the swift 0Ji-
tato finale-a breathless hurrying. tremt-
ling movement, descriptive Of fight and
uncertainty, and vague and impulsive ter
ror, which carried us away upon its rustl-
ing. wings. and left us all emotion and
wonder. Farewell to you," said Beeth-
oven, pushing back his chair, and turning
toward the door; " Farewell to your
You will come agninT' asked they in n
breath lie paused and looked compass
sionately. almost tendcrly, at the face of
the blind girl. '.Yes, yes" he said hur-
riedlv. j will come again and give the
Fy,aulicn come lessons. Farewell Fare
we'll l will come again soon." They
followed us in silence more eloquent than
words, and stood at their door till we were
out of sight and hearing. " Let us make
haste back" said Beethoven, tina. can
write out the sonata while remember it.r
We did so, and he sat over it till long past
day-.lawn. And this was the origin Of