The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-01-19
WAY, ELK COUNTY, PA, THURSDAY JANUARY 10. 1882

Thereupon he retreated, with the
wooden shoe, leaving the spectators in
amazement easy to comprehend
The old ladies seemed quite en-
barrassed.
1t was they who had sent it, and Paga-
mini was we'll aware of the fact, and
secretly rejoiced that it had not af-
forded them all the pleasure they had
promised themselves.
From this day Paganini was no more
to be seen in the salon of the Villa
Lutetiana. The faithful Louisette was
the only person admitted to his pres
ence. The four cid ladies tried their
uttermost 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 Lcuisette knew something
of his plans; but not all. She did not
know that by remarkable ingenuity
and exquisite skillfulness the old sabot
was being transformed into violin,
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 large blue posters appeared all
around the Villa Letetiana, and were
freely distributed in Paris.
They announced that New Years eve
a grand concert would be given in the
salon of the Villa Lutetiana, in which
Paganini would reappear upon the
stage.
It is needless to say that few hours
after the distribution of the posters
every ticket was sold.
The programme consisted Of ten
pieces-fve upon an ordinary violin
and five upon sabot.
The most capacious theater of Paris
had been too small to accommodate all
the admirers of the great artist; but he
had determined to play in the salon,
consequently had given orders that only
a limited number of tickets should be
sold.
The anxiously awaited hour arrived,
and soon an artistic and aristocratic as
sembiy filed the grand salon.
Finally Paganini appeared, with his
instrument, in the midst of silence so
profound that the beating of the hearts
was almost audible.
Tumultuous applause burst forth from
all sides of the audience; then subsidized
into one grand shout of welcome, which
caused smile of gratitude and pride
to appear On the pale face of the cele.
brated artist.
Paganini gave one stroke with his
bow and quiet was soon re-established.
After short prelude he suddenly
strikes out into brilliant fantasie. He
is no longer man. He is transformed
into an angel of harmony. The audi
ence, thrilled with Joy, become motion
less. They hardly seem to breathe !;
and as the last note dies away there
they sit, still listening intently.
"He will not be able to surpass that!
He never played better!" was whispered
throughout the assembly.
However prepared for miracles from
man who had accomplished upon the
violin what no human hand had ever
achieved before him, the amateurs
waited with feverish excitement. In a
few moments Paganini reappeared,
holding the announced sabot in his
hand.
Suddenly notes so plaintive and sweet
fall from the new violin that every one
is moved to tears, The artist seems no
longer to belong to the earth. The
musical drama he executes could have
only one significance. Hear the roll
ing of the drum behold the excite
ment OF the military life, the sorrow of
the soldier who bids farewell to his
companions, the approach to the pater-
nal roof, the meeting of the betrothed,
the tears of joy.
Tremendous applause shakes the
salon to the very foundation. The ladies
throw bouquets and the gentlemen
kneel before the illustrious artist. Here
and there one is seen drying the tears
which the magic power of the music
caused to flow.
No one sees a young girl secreted
behind curtain and crying bitterly.
1t was Louisette, the poor chamber.
maid, upon whom the return of the
conscript had made the deepest impress
sion.
Paganini calls her to him and says
"My dear child, we have been fortunate
enough to collect 500 francs more thar
, is required to procure a substitute foi
your betrothed. Take them. They
will be suffi icient to defray the expenses
of the journey. And now, as I an
about to leave this house, 1 give you 6
souvenir. Here is the old sabot. Per.
haps it merits the name of violin, now.
Louisette was too much affected tc
speak, and grasping his hands she GOV
cred them with tears of Joy and graft
tude.
The violin was a very fine dowry fol
the young girl. She sold it to an anna
teur for, 5000 francs, and it has be
come; by inheritance, the property of &
great Belgian manufacturer, who nat
urally enough values it at very higl
figure, and loves to relate its history.