The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-04-30

'Aheul on thon you Wian 20 pro
curea new yiolinist- st-one who can supply
his placer Well, Signofa, there ar,
enough Of them In Florence. You know
Paganini stayed here once, and viotti
too; and, as my grandfather used to re
late, Tartini also has been a guest o.
this house. will find you a violinist
there is one who is even now stopping
here"
"Stopping here What, in the hotel
You astonish me, Signorl Is there any
body who can take my husbands place9'
Eyes. / have heard him play, ant
the strains that came from his iustru
ment reminded me of another world.
''His namel 1t seems incredible"
"The name is not high sounding,
confess. Its mixture of English and
German, reads oddly, and is still WORSE
to pronounce. 1t is-well, bless me
have forgotten. However, I'll bring him
in"
''You do me great service, Signor,
aud thank you.
The burly host was on the point OF
leaving the room when his eyes fell up
on the young man, who had sat listen
ing nnheeded, to the conversation. He
advanced toward him and bowed low.
"Pardon me, my Northern gentle
man, said he, "but the most famous
Mahbran tells me that her distinguished
husband cannot appear at the concert
tonight. She is in search of q substi-
tute, and perhaps, Signor, you can act
the part and confer a favor on my lady. ("
"Forgive me, Signor, " interposed the
fair lady herself, "that my friend should
thus indiscretely address you. But you
understand
The young artist stepped forward and
saluted Malibran in the most courteous
manner. Then in broken italian he
said:
'Tndeed, Signora, if you are laboring
under embarrassment should be only
too happy to assist you.
Malibran returned look that showed
full plainly her willingness to accept any
offer that he might make.
'Did / not tell you, Signora, cajoled
the facetious host, "that 1 would find a
and here he is" I
81 thank you, Signor, for your kind
ness. Have the honor to salute an ar
hist from Brittania; and may I be so in
quisitive as to seek your name !"
81 am a Norwegian, Signora Mali
bran, - replied the artist with downcast
eyes, "and my name-Ole Bull"
Malibran made an effort to pronounce
The name, but failed.
"You have heard of our people, he
"only as sea kings. But you
zee have chosen different occupation,
md carry the bow instead of the sword.
do not shun the contest, and, although
am to take the place of the violin-vir-
;uoso Of France, L should feel happy,
sven in my failure, to know that I had
attempted to be of the best service to
you. 1 will engage to play the pieces
advertised in the programme, and their
will prove incentive to try
and do my best"
81 have unbounded confidence in
you, replied Malibran, "and to refuse
your liberal offer would be as ungracious
as it wouid be indiscreet on my part to
accept it without first consulting my
husband"
"Ah, then, we will llhave trial of skill.
You play the piano, of course will
bring in my violin, and your husband
shall say whether L am worthy to sup
ply his place."
"Agreed; and let us do so at once, for
there is no time that must be lost.
Malibran took TIE arm of her newly
made friend, and step as light as air
him up the wide staircase in
to the most richly adorned room of the
hotel.
In that silent chamber, clothed almost
in the darkness of night, DIR. Berlot lay
on low couch. A band
age was tied around his head, and, as
the couple stepped into the room, he
bowed increduonsly, as if doubling the
character Of the stranger. In few words
Malbran divulged the the name of the
latter, and his proposal. The virtuoso
smiled family, as with distorted features
he endeavered to speak the name of the
artist.
At length Malibran sat down to the
piano, the Norwegian took up his violin
and bow, while De Beriot, still doubt
ing, resumed his former posture, and
well nigh buried his head in the pillow.
''What shall we try first, my noble
Northern champion 2" asked she, turn
ing over the pages Of open music. "We
certainly have enough to choose from"
Anything, anything, Signora-suit
you taste" was the reply.
"Well, let us try my good old favor
ite, and his sonata in A minor. You
know it, I suppose4"
The artist nodded assent, and the mu-