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

An Incident in the Life of Pasanini.
Toward the last of September, 1882
the artistic world of Paris was deeply
affected upon learning that Paganini,
The celebrated artist, was very i'll. He
was seized with q violent fever at the
close of a concert, where he had been
the star and only attraction.
Kind friends and warm admirers did
all in their power to ameliorate his suf-
ferings, but without avail. Day after
day passed, and still the condition of
the much-beloved artist did not i'm
prove. His physicians became alarmed
and urged upon him the necessity of
taking q rest of several months.
A beautiful morning in the month of
October he bade adieu to the capital
he had filed with his merited renOwn.
At that time there was a celebrated
hospital near Paris, which was only fire.
quented by distinguished invalids. 1t
was the Villa Lutetiana, named without
doubt in'memory of the ancient Lutece.
This fine edifice was situated in the
center of pleasure garden which over
looked charming and heavily wooded
park. There were shady groves and
walks for dreamers, public drawing
rooms for the lovers Of games and COLI
versations, and private apartments for
those who preferred the chez-soi" in
tete-a-tete with the last novel. His
days were spent in promenading up
and down the most retired part of the
garden, and when evening approached
l. ~ u 10
reread a package of letters, yellow
with age, to which fresh one was
added from time to time.
Among the inmates of the Villa Luz
tetiana there were four old ladies who
had become warm friends on account
Of their common love for card playing,
and the secluded life which Paganini
persisted in leading seemed to cause
hem much annoyance.
Indeed" said one of them, che is
not my idea Of great man. do not
perceive anything remarkable in him,
in fact, taking him all in all, he is just
like other men,"
Gas for me-" said the second lady,
"when / heard he was to become one
Of our number / was in raptures, and
fiattered myself with the thought that
he would frequently enliven our prom
enades and soirees with his wonderful
music, but behold how we are treated.
He rarely deigns to recognize us, and
whenever he IS requested to favor us
with little music he calmly shakes
his head and retreats at once. He is a
bear-a real savage"
l, coIJ Il
not understand his case yet. Paganini,
my friends, is a simple miser. Do you
wish the proof? Does he not always
refuse to assist in charitable concerts ?'
1T is very strange" said the fourth
lady, Chow great men lose prestige up
on acquaintance. l do not doubt but
that he is of some account on the stage.
But herel | do not know but, as far as
sociability is concerned. / would prefer
to associate with the gardener"
ooh! do not hesitate, | pray yOu,"
replied the youngest of these ladies.
'iAs for my part would greatly prefer
almost anybody to him. Did you ever
nee man manifest so much indiffer-
unce. yes, even contempt for ladies' So
cIety?"
II am of your opinion; but come,
my ladies, have q scheme to submit
to you that has just popped into my
head. We must give this sleepy bear
Il shaking"
The celebrated violinist, however,
continued to live in the usual manner,
and slowly regained his strength. But
one would hardly have believed him to
be any better, he looked so very pale
and thin. His physicians rigidly for
babe his doing any mental work, and
the great musician, entirely deprived
of his art, passed the autumnal DAYS in
sort of intellectual somnoience, which
was most beneficial to his feeble state.
He never became victim to lOneli-
ness. As a wood carver Paganini was
without a rival. Hour after hour he
sat In his cOzy little room and skillfully
handled chisels, knives and other sharp
edged instruments.
Although he seemed to be surround
ed by enemies instead of friends in his
new home, there was one being who
studied his comfort and exhibited the
most tender regard for him. This de-
voted creature was young chamber
maid, named Louisette, charming
young girl, with a frank face and smi-
ling CCuntenance, who cordially greet
ed the distinguished artist every morn
ing as she lightly entered his room with
the early breakfast.
While the artist partook of the fra
grant coffee, delicious rolls and honey,
Louisette endeavored to amuse him by
relating some of the incidents which
TRANSFERRED at the hospital From time
70 time she succeeded in causing a
faint smile to appear on the wan face
as she APPLY initiated the four eccentric
old ladies.
One morning Louisette entered Paga-
minis room at the customary hour, but
the greeting was pronounced in most
doleful tone. Her eyelids were badly
swelled, her cheeks void of color. and a
very sorrowful expression played
around the finely cut mouth.
''What is the matter, my poor Louis
ette?" asked Paganini.
ooh! l am so unhappy" Then she
hesitated, apparently checked by the
fast-falling tears and child-like sobs
that came in quick succession. Pagan
mi allowed her to weep undisturbed for
a few moments, then said, in most
sympathetic tone: "Tell me your
troubles. Perhaps l can devise way
o alleviate them"
"Oh! no, kind sir. No one in the
world can help me-"
"Tut, tut / am inclined to believe
some lover Is the cause of all your
Grief -