Middletown transcript., 1876-07-01

informed that the Emperor would re-
csive them the next day At the same
time, orders were given for the arrange
ment of concert, to which all the
lords and ladies Of the couut were in
vited to hear the wonderful child.
The next day the elder Mozart went
out to visit his friends, and on his re-
turn he found his son capering about
the chamber.
II have said my prayers and prac-
tised,' exclaimed the boy, "and now |
am resting myself.
| A pretty sort Of rest, replied the
father, laughingly.
Every one, papa, answered the
hoy, "follows his own fashion
When the evening came, Wolfgang
was conducted by bis father to the i'm
perial palace. The maitre de chapeNe
was dressed in black. Her SOD wore
a court costume little coat of lilac
cloth, with a vest Of the same color,
rose-colored breeches, white stockings,
| and Shu1e with buckles.
A master of ceremonies introduced
them to the concert room, where nobody
bad yet appeared. The first thing that
Wolfgang observed was superb piano.
before which be quickly stationed him
self: his father went out into q balcony
which overlooked the magnificent gar
dens of the palace. Wolfgang. alone
| in the vast saloon. lighted as for aroyal
fete, was seated before the piano, his
little fingers flying with wonderful ra-
pidity over the keys, when he heard
the voice of child near him say
"Oh how we'll you play! Are you
the little Mozart that they have all been
talking about p
Wolfgang turned his head, and saw
beside him a little girl of about seven
years old very richly dressed.
"How beautiful you are! was the
reply of the Bohemian boy.
"Oh, never mind that? said the
little girl. "But tell me. are you Wolf
gang Mozart?'
eyes, mademoiselle.'
"And who taught you to play SO
we'll on the piano?'
my father
"And is it not tiresome to learn ?
Are you not obliged to practise great
deal ?
eyes, and sometimes that fatigues
me. then I saw a PRAYER, and ask for
the help Of the great St. John Nepo-
mueene. that I may have courage and
good will, and he always gets it for
me-
"And who is the great St. John
Nepomucene?
s.The Saint of Bohemia
"Why is be called saint of Bohemia?'
Because there is statue of him on
the bridge over the Moldau at Prague.
That is no reason = said the little
girl. impatiently.
L know his history, and can tell you
all about him. said Wolfgang.
oh, tell me- ? said the little girl, 1
shall like to hear it
Listen, then ;'-and the little Mo-
zart proceeded to relate what he knew
of the life and martyrdom of the Bohe-
mian saint.
As Wolfgang was finishing his story.
he heard a great rustling of silken
robes, the sound Of satin slippers, and
the waving of feathers and flowers; and
looking around him. he saw with aston
ishment that the saloon, which was
empty few minutes before, was now
filed with beautiful ladies and fine gen.
tlemen.
He rose, blushing and confused.
DO you not remember me? said a
gentleman, approaching him.
You are the king! answered Wolf
gang, as he looked at him.
And this is the queen, Maria Their
esq., said Francis, leading the little
Mozart towards lady, about forty five
years Of age, aud in all the lustre of her
beauty; who received the child with
the most unbounded kindness.
Little Mozart was then seated at the
piano, and then, smiling at those who
surrounded him, and particularly at the
little girl, who still kept near him. he
began to play. His execution was SO
perfect, his little fingers passed with
such facility from quick and difficult
movement to measure slow and melo-
diously accentuated, that the illustrious
audience uttered a cry of admiration at
the wonderful and precocious talent
which he displayed.
'Wolfgang is so we'll practised on his
piano that he could play with his eyes
Shut ? said his father
Cover the piano, and you shall see!'
answered Wolfgang, and be then played
with the greatest accuracy under cloth
which concealed the keys. When he
stopped, worn out and fatigued, his
poor little forehead covered with per-
spiration, the Empress made him sign
to approach her.
Wolfgang got down from his chair to
20 to the Empress but either from the
confusion he felt amidst that brilliant
assemblage. or through not being ac-
customed to walk upon waxed floor
his foot slipped, and he fell
The little girl uttered cry. and run
ming to assist Wolfgane. she exclaimed,
in voice soft and full of tenderness,
Have you hurt yourself. my little
friend?'
Wolfgang only answered, You are
more charming than all the world
Will you be my wifs?'
The little'girl burst out a-laughing.
That cannot be, poor little fellow =
she said
why not?' asked Wolfgang; I'VE
are both of the same age.'
You are only poor little artist
But / shall be great man, some
day
But | am Marie Antoinette, Arch
|