The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-09-10

: The burly host was on the point of
leaving the room when his eyes fell up
on the young man who had sat listening,
u%nllceded, to the conversation. He
advanced toward him and bowed low
"Pardon me, my northern gentle
man, ," said he, - but the most famous
Malibran tells me that her distinguished
husband cannot appear at the concert
tonight. She is in search of Il subSti-
tute, and perhaps, signor, you can act
the part and confer Il favor on my
lady"
"ForgiH me, ~signor," interposcd the
fair lady herself, "that my friend should
thus ~indisqeetly address You. But you
understand
The young artist stepped forward and
saluted Malibran in the most courteous
manner. Then, in broken Italian, he
said:
~"Indeed signora, if you are laboring
under embarrassment, l should be only
wv hfpPt w a>SlHI N'u.
MalibraL returned Il look that showed
full plainly her willingness to accept any
offer that h might make.
"Did not tell you, signora,' caioled
the facetiolS host, "that | would find u
substitute? And here he is"
81 thank You, signor, for your kind
ma JJor, A., b,nny 70 .nl,t. o ~
artist from Britannia; and may ! be 50
inqui>itive rs to seek your namc?"
81 am "a Norwegian, Signora Mali
BRAN replied the artist with downcast
eyes, "andm my name-Ole Bull
NIalibran made an effort to pronounce
the name, Tut failed.
"You haze heard of our people," he
continued, "only As sea kings. But
YOU see | have chosen a different Occu-
patton, and carry the bow instead of the
sword. | do not shm the contest, and,
although am to take the place of the
violin-virtuoso of France, | should feel
happy, even in my failure, to know that
| had attempted to be of the least service
to you. will engage to playthc pieces
advertised il the programme, and their
difficulties will prove incentives to try
and d" my bast."
u have unboundcd confidence in
,yOu," replied Malibran, "and to refuse
your liberal offer would be As u~ngraciouS
as it would b. indiscrect on my part to
accept it without first consulting my
husband"
''Ah, then, We will have Il trial of
skill. You play the piano, of course?
| Will bring in my violin, and your nus
band shall say whether | am worthy to
supply his place"
''Agrccd; and let lis do so at once,
for there is no time that must be lost"
Malibran took the arm of her newly
made friend, and with step rs light As
air conducted him up the wide stair
case into the most richly adorned room
of the hotel.
In that silent chamber, clothed al
most in the darkness of night, De Beriot
lay outstretched on Il low couch. A ban
dage was tied around his head, and, as
the couple stepped into the room, he
bowed i~ncrcdulously, as if doubting the
character of the stranger. In few
words, Malibran divulged the name of
the latter, and his proposal. The yir-
tuoso smiled family, as with distorted
features he e~ndeavOred to speak the
name of the artist.
At length Malibran sat down to the
piano, the Norwegian took up his vio-
lin and bow; while De Bcriot, still
doubling, resumed his former posture,
and well-ni@h buried his head in the
pillow.
"Wha shall we try first, my noble
northern champion?" asked she, turn
ing W the pages of open music.
eve certainly have enough to choose
from"
'sAny thing, anything, signora-suit
your TASTE" was the reply.
"Well, let us try my good old favor
ite, and his sonata in a minor. You
know it, | SUPPOSED"
The artist nodded assent, and the
music began. The sick man had al
most determined not to listen. But, at
the opening strains, he raised his head
from the pillow, and glanced furtivcly
at the musician. Sweeter and swcetcr
grew the harmony; each and every
movement was rendered in the most
exact time. Now, the tones rose to the
lnldeSt sMnl. and then. rraduallr Ii