Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-26
" OXEN WALTZ"

"OXEN WALTZ"
The sensitive nature of Mozart,
that sweetest of all musical COM
posers, is we'll known. The slight
est discord produced in him severe
irritation; and when engaged in
musical composition his feelings
grew so intense that he almost lost
consciousness of all going on
around him. One day he was en-
gagged in arranging one Of the most
beautiful airs in an opera he was
composing, when the butcher called
for his pay, which had long been
due. In vain his wife endeavored
to attract the attention Of the rapt
artist, who scribbled away utterly
unconscious of her presence. She
ran downstairs with tears in her
eyes, telling the butcher that her
husband could not be spoken to,
and that he must come another
time. But the man of blood was
not easily to be daunted; he must
have his bill settled, and speak with
Mozart himself, or he would not
send him another ounce of meat.
He assembled the stairs. Mozart,
distantly CONSCIOUS that something
had passed in his presence, had CON
tinued pouring the effusions of his
fantasia on paper, when the heavy
footsteps resounded in the hall. His
stick was at hand. Without turn
ing his eyes from the sheet, ne held
his stick against the door to keep
out the intruder.
But the steps were approaching.
Mozart, more anxious, hurried as
fast as he could, when a rap at the
door demanded permission to enter.
The beautiful effusion was in dan
ger of being lost. The affrighted
composer cast a fugitive glance at
his stick: it was too short. With
anxiety bordering on frenzy, he
looked around his room, and pole
standing behind the curtain caught
his eye; this he seized, holding it
with all his might against the door,
writing like fury all the while. The
knob was turned, but the pole
withstood the first effort. A pause
succeeded. Words were heard on
the staircase, and the intruder re-
Inewed his efforts the second time.
But the strength of the composer
seemed to increase with his anxiety.
Large drops of perspiration stood
on his forehead. Stemming the
pole against his left breast with the
force Of despair, he still kept out
the visitor. He succeeded but for
a moment; yet it was a precious
moment; the delightful air was
poured upon the paper; it was
savedl %
"Mr. Mozart" said the butcher.
"Halt! haiti" said the composer,
seizing the manuscript, and hurry
ing toward the piano forte. Down
he sat, and the most delightful air
that was ever heard resounded from
the instrument. The eyes of his
wife, and even Of the butcher, be-
gan to moisten. Mozart finished
the tune, rose again, and, running
to the writing desk, he filled out
what was wanting.
"Well, Mr.. Mozart" said the
butcher, when the artist had fin
ished, "yeu know that am to
marry"
"No, / DON'T" said Mozart, who
had somewhat recovered from his
musical trance.
"Well, then, you know 1t now;
and you also know that you owe me
money for meat"
81 do" said Mozart, with a sigh.
"Neyer mind" said the man,
under whose blood stained coat
beat a feeling heart; "you make me
a fine waltz for my marriage ball,
and | will cancel the debt, and let
you have meat for a year to come"
'It's bargain !" cried the lively
and gifted Mozart; and down he
sat, and waltz was ELECTED from
the instrument-such a waltz as
the butcher had never before heard.
"Meat for a year, did | say?" ex-
claimed the enraptured butcher,
"No; one hundred duoats you shall
have for this waltz; but l want ii
with trumpots and horns and fid-
dles-you know best-and soon,
too |"
"You shall have it So" said Mo-
zart, who could scarcely trust his
ears; "and in one hour you may
send for it,
The hberal-minded butcher re-
tired. In an hour the waltz was
set in full orchestra music The
butcher returned, was delighted