Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-03-25
The Hunchbacked Musicians.

The Hunchbacked Musicians.
There once lived in the city of Aix-la-
Chapelle two hunchbacked musicians.
Friedel, notwithstanding his deformity,
was handsome youth, but the charm
which especially attracted beholders was
the beauty of cheerful, contented
spirit which shone from his clear eyes,
and even found expression in the sweet
harmony which he drew from his violin.
Now Heinz was unlike Friedel in every
respect. His hair was red, his eyes pale
and dull, and his mouth coarse and bru-
tai. No one liked to hear him play it
seemed Us if his natural ugliness Lad be-
witched the very instrument in his hands,
for it poured forth only harsh and graf
ing sounds, most dismal to hear conse-
quently he was seldom employed, while
Friedel was in continual demand for oc-
casions of merry making.
In this city dwelt n rich wine mer-
chant. He had q beautiful daughter
named Agatha, whom Friedel loved, and
she, seeing only the beauty of his soul,
gave him her heart in return, but know
ing that her father was determined to
marry her to man of wealth and posi-
ton, the lovers decided to conceal their
attachment until compelled to reveal it.
Unfortunately that time came speedily.
A rich sutton claimed Agatha's hand, and
her father gladly gave his consent. Then
Friedel knew that he must speak, or lose
his darling forever, so one day he pre-
sented himself at the merchants grand
house. His heart sanh like lead, and
his face flushed crimson as he entered
the dark, magnificent apartment where
the proud man was sitting still he did
not falter or loss courage until he had
pleaded his cause in words that would
have touched any but a sordid heart.
As might be expected, however, poor
Friedel was repulsed with cruel scorn,
and driven from the house for his pre-
Sunptiou
Half distracted with modification and
grief, he wandered out of the town, not
knowing or caring whether he went. AT
length the descending darkness and the
cold evening dews made him realize the
distance he had travelled, and he quickly
retraced his steps.
As he drew near the city he was
amazed at the strange sights and sounds
that filled the air. All sorts of night
birds were abroad, wildly flying and
screaming as if possessed, while just
above the tops of the houses troops of
riding furiously toward the fsh-market
of Aix-la- Ohapelle. An irresistible i'm
pulse impelled Friedel to follow them.
He soon arrived at the square, which he
beheld illuminated by nyriads Of little
flames, making it as bright as MONDAY.
Here tables were spread, loaded with
wines, fruits, and delicious dainties,
and crowds of women were rushing
hither and thither in the greatest confu
sion. Suddenly Friedel remembered
that on quarter day the witches were said
to meet at midnight in this square for a
grand picnic.
As he stood gazing upon the remark
able scene before him, half doubling his
senses, the leading spirit of this strange
company approached him, and invited
him to partake of the refreshment. Erie
del's heart was still sick, but his stomach
was not in the least unprecedented
may be regarded as hopeful symptom
so he sat down at the feast, to which he
did ample Justice When he had flu
ished the leader placed in his hand a NO
hin, and requested him to play for dane
ing. Nothing loath, he took the beloved
instrument, and as he sounded it the
tables and seats were removed like magic.
Though every one appeared to be talk
ing and laughing not a sound reached
Friedeps ears, but instead, The atmos-
phere seemed oppressive with the silence
of death.
The signal WAS given, and then began
the mai.dest dance ever performed. The
scene grew wilder every moment, while
faster and faster flew the musicians bow
without any volition of his own. as those
weird forms spun around him. At last,
dizzy with the whirl and excitement, he
overcome with fatigue. Then she who
had before addressed him once more
advanced, and, commanding him to
kneel, she laid her hand upon his shout
ders, muttered over some unintelliglble