Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1872-03-23
THE MAN IN BLUE.

OF that city; but taAattco peria mus
lca, as the Italians say, music mad,
Knowing that at his death each ol
his children would iuherit an ample
f1ltune, he permitted us somewhat
to neglect our other studies, 80 that
we might dedicate more time to his
beloved science, muse My two Sis
ters played remarkably well on the
spinot, and sang dehciously. Karl
my only brother, was the Autist Of
the family, and | devoted myself to
the violin. AtlG years OF age, |
believed myself to adept on this
difficult instrument. My violin was
my constant companion. Nothing
gave me more pleasure than to take
my dear Fortunate" for SO l
called it, into the woods, beneath
the rustling trees, improvise new
airs, and vary Old ones, to my hearts
coLtent.
So greatly did my father delight
in displaying the talents of hit chill
dren, that he organized every Thurs
day afternoon an amateur concert,
at which at least a quarter of the
town assisted-to listen to, admire,
or criticise, about as much music as
could be crowded into three hours
performance, divided into equal
parts. by a tray Of light refreshments
handed round by Karl and myself.
One, fine Thursday afternoon in
autumn, just as the first of our
pieces was concluded, a very singu-
lar looking individual entered the
concert room, lie was as thin and
pale as an earthly apparition, and
entirely dressed in shabby garments
of light blue cordury. His we'll
worn knee broeches were blue, his
| Jacket was blue, his vest was blue,
and the huge cravat that fastened
has great tapping shirt collar was
also blue. His face was the most
melancholy in expression that it is
possible to imagine, He had
big, hooked nose, thin lantern jaws,
tho only redeeming feature which
he possessed; his dark and intelll.
cent eyes were hidden by a pair Ct
google spectacles. His hair was
bright and red, and uncut, and his
beard, | verify believe, had never
been trimmed since it first began to
grow.
He did not attempt to apologize
for his intrusion into our company,
but without looking to the right or
to the left made straight for a vacant
seat, and taking it, prepared to listen
to the mnaic with marked attention.
It was my turn to play, but | was so
confused, SO utterly dumbfounded
by the appearance of this strange
parsonage, that when | struck my
violin with the bow that my hand
trembled 80 much that | could not
produce sound. | tried again and
again, and was about to give it up
in despair, when the Man in Blue
rose from his seat and came direct !
" tome. "Young man, said he
"you hayea more difficult instru-
ment there than you think for;
hand it to me, | will play it in your
stead" | mechanically gave him
Fortunate" Presently be com
monced. Never in all my life ha.
| ever heard such playing. The in
strument seemed to have within its
wooden frame divine soul, capa-
bic of expressing every possible
emotion-joy grief, passionate
agony, and triumphant jubilee We
were all amazed and delighted, and
at tho termination Of his Concerto
such a burst of enthusiastic ap-
plause greeted the singular pertor-
mer that he seemed quite overcome
and confused; he, however, bowed
his Acknowledgements in the most
grotesQue fashion.
l must here mention that we were
on the eve of of a grand musical
festival, at which some Of the great
est musicians OF Germany had de-
clared their intention Of being pre-
sent. My father, naturally con-
Guiding that our strange guest was
some celebrated maestro, who had
arrived incognito, fastened to thank
him for the favor he had conferred
upon us, and, also, to offer him the
hostit3lity of his house during his
stay in our town. The Man in Blue
at first refused, then hesitaled, and
finally accepted my fathers press
ing invitation.
For one week we surrounded HIM
with every attention, and he, by his
gentle manners and genius, soon
won our affection and respect. But
all our attempts to find out who he
was, and whence he came proved
VAN; he took no notice of our dis
Greet hints, and not one of us dared
to ask the question point blank, He
set himself to word to teach me a
great many things about the violin,
Of which l was previously Ignorant,
and to this curious man. | owe
many of my greatest triumps, Only
son. he would say, Glove music;
music is the food of the sui the
only possession we have on earth
which we shalt retain in heaven.
If d stranger happened opay us
a visit, our new friend would i'm
mediately take refuge in the garden
He liked to be alone with Karl, my
self, and his violin. One day q
merchant named Krebbs arrived on
business which he had to transact
with my father, and as he entered
he stumbled against the Man in
Blue who was making good his es-
cape. The poor violinist, on pre-
ceiving merchant Krebbs, became
no nale ns death. and tottered TO a