Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-03-02

HEM has drawn an unfortunate
said Louisette, speaking very
"He must join the army and
leave for Lille on the morning express"
Can he not procure a substituted"
A substitute! How could We ever
dream of raising such sum-"
"Would it require very much
money!"
"Fifteen hundred francs are de-
manded, on account of the prospect of
war;"
"Well, your misfortune is not so
serious, after all. Wipe away those
tears and let me see your merry face
once more. will exert myself to OBJ
tain this formidable sum. am sure
that my efforts will be crowned with
success"
Louisette warmly thanked the vio-
linist, dried her tears with the corner
of her white apron, and disappeared,
with a face radiant with Joy and hope.
Winter advanced, and Christmas,
with its feathery garb of snow and
crown of holly was on the Threshold
once more. 1t gently raped at the
door of every dwelling, and at this
signal families assembled around the
cheerful hearth, their hearts warm
with love and good will to man. The
little children filled their shoes with
hay and placed them in the fireplace,
that Santa Claus might see them right
away when he jumped down the CHM
ney with all the presents they had Or
dered; and the little homeless ones
came and offered prayer at the door
while breathing in their hands, which
were blue and stiff with the piercing
cold.
At the Villa Lutetiana each one cele-
brated Christmas according to his
pleasure. Our four old ladies enjoyed
an animated game Of cards; while
Paganini, seated in q secluded corner
of the room, absorbed in an interest
ing book, was wholly unconscious of
the malicious looks that were given
him from time to time.
Suddenly the door opened and Louis
cite entered.
"Sir," said she, betraYing much ex-
element, "a large box to your address
has arrived. The porter is waiting in
the vestibule."
GA box?" said Paganini, much as
tOnished. cit must be mistake. |
do not expect anything"
But, sir, your address is on it."
cit is true, but that is all the same.
[ cannot conceive-where is the por-
ter?'
"Here he Is, sir. He says he is in a
hurry"
g IUl,o,,oo oo,,,o,, 4L;a - o., lJ
Paganni, regarding the man with sus-
picion.
From the office, sir. don't know
anything more about it, except that it
was sent from Lyons or Orleans"
Stranger and stranger" remarked
Paganni. 81 have not an acquaint-
ance in either of these cities"
He paid him, however, thanks to the
interference of Louisettee, who had
taken possession of the box.
The porter had hardly turned his
back when Louisette glancing at the
box with much curiosity, eagerly said
" [ will assist you to take it up to your
room, SIR"
ono, Louisette," replied Paganini,
trying to refrain from smiling. leave
it there in the corner. Tomorrow will
be time enough to attend to it."
" And you are not going to open it ?"
asked Louisette, much disappointed.
" Yes, indeed, [ will, since you are so
anxious to see its contents. Come, aid
me, and we will have it open in a few
moments"
They removed to layers of hay,
several bundles of brown paper, cut a
number of strings, and found at the
very bottom of the box an old sabot.
" Well, | am not much surprised"
said Paganini, " it is q very nice inven-
ton. They have sent me this sabot as
an alusion to my avarice, and wish it to
say to me that [ am like children, who
rather receive than give; but they are
very much deceived if they think they
can wound my feelings by this unkind
act. | will say in the presence of all
the inmates of the house that before
the expiration of two weeks this sabot
shall be worth its weight in gold"
Thereupon he retreated, with the
wooden shoe, leaving the spectators in
amazement easy to comprehend.
The old ladies seemed quite embar-
raised.
1t was they who had sent it, and Pa
ganlnl was well aware Of the fact, and
secretly rejoiced that it had not afford
ed them all the pleasure they had
promised themselves.
From this day Paganini was no more
to be seen in the salon of the Villa Luz
tetiana. The faithful Louisette was the
only person admitted to his presence.
The four old ladies tried their utter
most to persuade her to explain his
mysterious disappearance, but she
placed her finger on her lips and quite
resembled the statue of discretion.
1t was true Louisette knew some
thing of his plans; but not all. She did
not know that by a remarkable ingenu-
lty and exquisite skillfulness the old
sabOt was being transformed into a vio-
lin, which for tone and finish might
have challenged an Amati. Paganini
had given more than an ordinary soul
to this subject, and the world was to be
the judge of it.
Soon lalge blue posters appeared all
around the Villa Lutetiana. and were
freely distributed in Paris.
They announced that New Years eve
a grand concert would DO given in the
salon of the Villa Lutetiana, in which
Paganini would reappear upon the
stage.
1t is needless to say that a few hours
after the distribution of the posters
every ticket was sold.
The most capacious theater of Paris
had heen To small too accommodate oil