Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-09-10
An Artists First Triumph.


Behind the A ps is the land of mira
cles, the world of adventure. We do
not believe III miracles; adventure, on
the contrary is very dear to us we list
en- to it with willingness, and such a
one as only happens to genius took
place in Bologns IN the year 1884. The
poor Norseman, Ole Bull, whom at that
time no one knew, had wandered thus
far southwark. In his fatherland some
persons certainly thought that there
was something in him; but most people,
az is generally the case, predicted that
De Ball would amount TO nothing. He
himself felt that he must go out into
the world in order to cherish the spark
into II flame, or else to quepch it ell
tireiy. Everything seemed at first to
indicate that the latter would be the
case. He had arrived at Bologna. but
his money was spent, and there was no
place where there was any prospect oil
getting more-no friend, not country
man, held forth u helping hand toward
him; he sat alone in poor attic, in one
of the small streets.
1t was already the second day that he
had been here, and he had scarcely
tasted food. The water jug and the vi
olin were the ouly two things that
cheered the young and suffering artist.
He began to doubt whether he really
were i'll possession of that talent with
which God had endowed him, and in
his dependency breathed into the vio-
lin those tones which now seize our
hearts in 50 wonderful manner those
tones which tell as how deeply he has
suffered and felt. The same evening a
great concert was to be given in the
principal theater. The house Was filled
to Overlooking; the Grand Duke of Tas-
cany was i'll the royal box; Madame
Malibran AMI Monsieur dc Beriot were
to lend their able assistance in the per
Torrance of several pieces. The con-
cert was to commence, but matters
looked inauspicious-th managers star
was not in the Monsieur de
Beriot had taken umbrage and refused
to play. All was trouDle and confusion
on the stage, when, in this dilemma,
the wife of Rossini, the composer, en-
tered, and i'll the midst of the managers
distress related that on the previous
evening, rs she passed. through one of
the narrow streets, she had suddenly
stopped on hearing the strange tones of
an instrument, which Certainly resem-
bled those of viulir, but yet seemed
to be different. She had asked the land
lord of the house who it was that lived
in the attic whence the sounds proceed
ed, and he had replied that 1t was q
young man from the north of Europe,
and that the instrument he played was
certainly Tyre, but she felt assured
that it could not be SO; it must either
be u new sort of an instrument or an
artist who knew how to treat his instru.
ment in an UNUSUAL manner. At the
same time she said that they ought to
send tor him, and he might, perhaps.
supply the place of Monsieur de BAriot
by playing the pieces that must other
wise be wanting in the evenings enter
tainment. This advice was acted upon,
and IA messenger was dispatched to the
street where Ole Bull sat in his attic.
To him it was message from heaven.
Now or never. thought he, and, though
ill and exhausted. he took his violin
under his arm and accompanied the
messenger to the theater. Two min
utes ter his arrival the manager III.
formed the assembled audience that a
young Norwegian, consequently IL
"young savage" would give speci-
men of his skill on the violin instead of
Monsieur de Bsriot.
Ole Bull appeared. The theater was
brilliantly illuminated. He perceived
the scrutinizing looks of the ladies
nearest to him; one of them, who
watched him very closely through her
opera glass, smilingly whispered to her
neighbor, With a mocking mien, about
the dif1ident manners of the artist He
looked at his clothes. and in the strong
blaze Of light they looked rather the
worse for wear. The lady made her
remarks about them, and her smile
pierced his very heart. He had takea
no notes with him which he could give
to the orchestra; he was consequently
obliged to play without accompaniment.
But what should he play ~ will
give them the fantasies which at this
moment cross my mind!' And he
played improvisatory remembrances of
his own life melodies from his soul
1t was as if every thought. every feel.
ing, passed through the violin and re-
vealed itself to the audience. The
most astounding acclamations resound-
ed through the house. Ole Bull was
called forth again and again. They still
desired a new improvisation. He then
addressed himself to that lady whose
hooking smile had met him on his ap-
pearauce, and asked for theme to vary.
She gave him one from " Norma" He
then asked two other ladies', who chose
one from Othello" and one from
4" Moses" Now, thought he, if take
ali three, unite them with each other,
and form one piece, | shall then fatter
each of the ladies'. and perhaps the
composition will produce an effect. He
did 80. Powerfully as the rod of the
magician the bow gliled across the
strings, while cold drops of perspira-
tion trick"d down his forehead. There
was fever in his blood; it was as if the
mind would free itself from the body;
tire shot from his eyes; he felt himsel,
almost swooning; yet Il few more bold
strokes they were his last bodily pow
ers.
Flowers and wreaths from the
charmed multitude tiuttered about him,
who, exhausted by mental conflict and
Ta,n II