Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-06-07
A Story Of the Maestro Julien.

1T was the middle of July, 1853, when |
all London was stirred by the grand ova-
ton which had just come off in honor of
the "Lion Concert Giver," that tall,
raw-boned man might have been seen
walking down one of the narrow streets
of that fOggy metropolis, alternately hum
ming to himself little snatches of melody,
and stopping to gaze at the signs over the
doors. Pretty soon he came to the music
store of Craner, Beale & Chapple, and
strobe heavily in, the large nails in the
bottom of his shoes making music sin
that part Of the town."
"Hallo, mont" said he, in the broad
Yorkshire dialect, to a tradesman behind
the counter, who was intently examining
a new and beautiful engraving that was
designed as frontispiece to Julien's last
polka, "CaR you tell me If Measther JUL
lens in 20
"No, he is not, sir, he left about half an
hour SINCE" said Mr.. Chapple flor he was
the one addressed and as he replied, he
raised his eyes from the design and
scanned the rough-looking person who
stood before him. He was coarsely clad,
man of brawny limb, with complexion
of that peculiar ashy color, slightly be-
grimed with coal, which indicated that
he had toiled for years beyond the light
and warmth of the sun.
Wull'ee be in again to-day ?' inquired
the Yorkshireman.
"No, he will not-not before to-mor-
row. Did you wish to see him %
"Wull, yeas, aw wood like to-" said
he, hesitatingly. "They talk summat
about ees gooin' to America" he contin-
| ued.
Yes, he sails next week; but how
does that interest your" said Mr.. Chap
pie, who began to be curious about the
motive that could prompt such rough
looking customer to see the man OF Inn
maculate kids and irrepr0achable vest.
I'D like to ga over VII 'um," was the
reply, j.. >, o., ono, ., . ,,o.,.. ,,,.,, him,
PRAY what good could you do him?' said
Mr.. Chapple, with an expression as near
contempt as was consistent with good
breeding.
"Wull, aw think aw Good do 'um good
deal o. good" said he with knowing
twinkle of the eye.
How? You certainly do not look
like a musician"
"Wull, as to looks, thot's nowther here
nor there, but aw blow't ophicleide sum
they say whoam-better thon ony man
in t'coonty."
"Ah, indeed! What's your business P"
saw works in the cooal moine."
eyes; well, how much do you earn in
a week?''
i "About saxteen shillin'. And then, too,
aw belong to brass bond, and we make
summat by gi'en van or two concerts a
week."
~ think, sir, that Mr.. Julien has en-
gagged all the help he wants, and will not
require your services and the music
publisher, having satisfied his curiosity,
turned away to his business, as If he
had already spent too much time to little
purpose.
The Yorkshireman very awkwardly
scratched his head, and stood for mo-
ment, as if undecided what to do, but
at length took few steps toward the end
of the counter, and, peeping over pile of
music, behind which Mr.. Chapple had
taken refuge, said to him:
perhaps We moight jus loikeeto hear
me play bit. Gin yell gil me on
instrument, anvil show We what aw con
do"
The request was so good-naturedly
made that Mr.. Chapple could hardly re-
fuse, so he led him up stairs, and gave him
an old ophicleide, which, after q moments
inspection, he threw down, loosely re.
marking:
s'Gang AVA VII yer ovid brass. Coon,
mon, gle us good 'un."
| Chapple obngingly complied. The
Yorkshireman took the piece of shining
metal in his huge hands, that were hard
ened, cracked, and blackened with toll,
and raised it to his lips, played q legato
air with such purity of tone and beauty
L - 81 fhof hord N 70
which sentiment was strongest In the
mind of the hstener-surprisc or de-
light. "But all this may be by rote, "
thought Mr.. Chapple. ''Here let me hear
you play that" said he, as he placed be
fore him new and very difficult solo for
the ophicleide.
The Yorkshireman glanced it once
through, and astonished his listener by
executing 1t with marvellous accuracy,
Gaping the climax by improvising fiorid
and appropriate cadenza.
"Zounds!'' said Chapple. "Monsieur
Julien must hear you. Call tomorrow
noon, and he'll be here"
"Hal We thought aw didn't play ony,
eh?' said the performer, as he strobe out
of the room, and he gave vent to broad
guffaw as he tramped downstairs.
The next day, at the appointed hour
Julien, with his publisher and the York.
shire ophicleidist, were in the same upper
room. Julien, after hearing him play
was in ecstacies, which he endeav0red to
express in half dozen languages.
"Bravo!" he shouted, rubbing his
hands. "Capital! Mon Dieu, e'est er
traordinaire Mr.. Chapple, engage him
and give him five pounds week."
give pounds week" exclaimed Mr.
!. Chapple; s.why, he'll be glad to 60 fol
one-quarter of the money"
ssNever mind that" said Julien ''nevel
mind that-hire him, and give him five
pounds ($25) week. He's worth it."
The same raw-boned Yorkshireman il
better clad now; his countenance wears {
healthier hue, and our word for 1t, y0t
will hear no provincial brogue in thu