The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-07-31
THE REHEARSAL.
From tho German of Elise Polko.

From tho German of Elise Polko.
Tho Sd of November, 1898, in Ber-
lin-tbe residence of the Elector of
Brandenburg, sovereign Duke of
Prussia, Frederick ILL.,, and his wife,
Sophie Charlotte-was very stormy
day. The rain and sleet that q high
wind drove through tho streets
which, two centuries ago, were very
unlike those Of the proud capital of
to-day-admonishcd old and young to
seek shelter within-doors. The str eets
were, indeed, nearly deserted; thuso
only being abroad whose affairs did
not admit of delay.
1t was in the neighborhood Of the
30 called riding-house, that on this
stormy day, about four o'clock in the
afternoon, an elderly man, accompa-
MED by a tall, slim boy of some six
teen years, both closely wrapped in
their mantles, walked hastily from
house to house, looking anxlously at
all the windows and doors. They
both seemed weary and cold as well
as wet, for the boy would every now
and then stamp his feet, and draw
his mantle still tighter around him.
"Let me inquire yonder at that fine
house; it can do no harm, at all
events" said the boy; "the capell-
meistcr" (music-director) "must live
there. The house answers tho de-
scription exactly"
"Wcll, inquire there if you want to,
and see yourself laughed at for your
palms," answered the domorganist
(cathedral-organist). "Do you sup
pose any italian musician ever lived
in q palace like that? Would any
sane man ever think of looking for
me, the domorganist of Halle, in a
house like that? And why should
this Italian be better housed than one
of US? Have I not served God and
st. Cecilia year after year, and not
written note for the world, and do |
not still live in three little rooms in
the rear of the cathedral, where the
sun shines daily hardly an hour on
my spinct, and the ceiling is so low
that T can reach it without getting on
stool. How, then, should this mu
sic.maker get to live like prince
That would be harder to endure than
false treble on a broken organ
pipe"
During the delivery of this long
grumbling sermon, the boy had askec
the old servant, who opened the door
in response to an energetic rap witt
the big iron knocker, if the court
music-master 10 the Princess Sophie
Charlotte, the Italian, Marc Antonio
Buononcini, lived there.
Eyes, replied the old footman, in ,
somewhat Nesting tone; "but my
master can see no one now, as he ha
a rehearsal at this hour. Be so goot
as to come again tomorrow. Yol
are, 1 take it, only muscians?"
"Well, yes, we are just what you
master is-only musicians" smiled
the boy. "Never mind if he has re
hearsal-announcc US. Your maste
knows we are coming; indeed, h
wrote us to como to him today. W.
come long way-from Halle, on th
Saale."
The old servant again surveyed tn
young stranger from head to foot, an
seemed by no means displeased witt
his appearance. A pair of large
proud eyes looked him full in the fac
with the hopeful confidence of youth
"Well, come in, then. 1 will an
nounce you to my master. Will tn
old grumblsn there come in wit
you2"
"CertainIy be will; and let me tel
you, sir, this old grumbler, as you ar
pleased to call him, is a very distir
guisbed man at home in Halle" II
piled the boy; and, turning to: hi
companion, he called out: "This
the house, Herr Domorganist-com
linT
With mien in which his astonisf
ment and displeasure were alike Wis
bic, the domorgaulst of Halle eptere
the house, which, certainly, in con
parison with tho better residences