Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1871-06-08
PAUL.
A REAIINISCENCE.
BY GEO. III. FULLERTON.

His father was blacksmith, and like
most men of that occupation, was sturdy
body and soul. The fathers was mark
ed countenance, reminding one of Nj
! chael Angeles, as we see him portrayed
in old crayon drawings. He had the
same breadth and fullness of the fore
head, similarly determined expression
of the eye; nose not unlike, beard very
like; tout ensemble amazingly like no one
else.
His mother was motherly woman, in
telligent, tender-hearted, sensible, not
strong minded, as some would have it,
but possessed of definite ideas. She
could give her ideas living shape, so
that her children partook of the mental
and moral individualities, as well as of
her physical nature. She was a woman
in whose arms child might rest with
confidence, on whose shoulder an older
one, tired with the perplexities Of life,
and worn with disease, might lay his
wearied head, and forget his restlessness,
while happy calmness comes over him.
! Paul and Louis were twins, and so
alike were they, in their early childhood,
that Louis was often called Paul, and
Panl, Louis. They Had black hair, which,
in rich profusion of curls, fell upon their
cate and regular features, whose grace
was enhanced by dark, expressive eyes,
which told of capabilities for deep soul
experience-of great, soulthrilling joys,
of intense, soul-piercing anguish; suscep-
tibilities which are born together, which
die together, twins inseparable.
Like all children of American parent
age in New England, they received the
benefits of instruction at the common
| school; were good scholars, well behaved,
and like the sons of such parents gener-
ally, were esteemed for their actual worth,
and not for their long line of worthy an
cestors, or, which more frequently hap
pens among shallow -pated folks in this
country, for the fullness of the paternal
Golfers. They received a limited educa-
ton in vocal music, Louis evincing con-
siderable talent. and displaying fine
voice, which was cultivated, so that ulti-
mately he became an excellent vocalist,
while Paul made little advancement in the
study of the art. - -
Paurs musical life began when he was
seventeen years of age. 1t was at this
time that he, with his mother, visited a
watering place, and while there that he
first heard the music of the piano, in ear
nest, touching and exalting tones, drawn
forth by skillful hand. As the talented
and refined pianist discoursed in a Ian
guage known to such as he, Paul sat like
one entranced, with eyes fixed upon the
keys. He bent forward breathless; but
for sudden infrequent respirations. With
eyes dilatcd, and the veins of his forehead
distended, he seemed 10 be receiving an
inspiration, from an unknown. source,
whose medium was the wonderful music
which saluted his ears, and glided into his
being, transporting him with 'unwonted
ecstacy.
When the artist had left the plano, Paul
drew long breath, as If relieved Of the
intensity of so much Joy, ,,took the vacant
seat and moved his fingers over the keys
like one not wholly stranger to them.
He was surcharged with emotion, and
then, as If by inspiration, Ut could be
naught else), he gave vent to his feelings
In tones that thrilled one like the shout
of victory when battle Is won. For fif-
teen minutes he played, fmprovised the
sweetest, sadd9st, then, most sexultant
airs. with harmony ssperfect aaever de-
] cends for the ears of mortals to hear.