River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-03-02
THE SABOT AND THE VIOLIN.
An Incident in the Life of Paganini.

affected upon learning that Paganlni
The celebrated artist, was very Ill. de
was seized with violent fever at the
close of a concert, where he had beer
the star and only attraction.
Kind friends and warm admirers die
all in their power to ameliorate mis- SUI
ferings, but without avail. Day after
day passed, and still the condition o.
the much-beloved artist did not i'm
prove. His physicians became alarmed
and urged upon him the necessity o.
taking rest of several months.
A beautiful morning in the month Oh
October ne bade adieu to the capita
he had fillei with his merited renown.
At that time there was celebrated
hospital near Paris, which was only ire
quented by distinguished lnvalIds. Ii
was the Villa Lutetiana, named without
doubt in'memory of the ancient Lutece.
This fine edifice was situated IN the
center of a pleasure garden which over
looked a 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
he FASTENED to his room to read and
reread a package of letters, yellow
with age, to which q fresh one was
added from time to time.
Among the inmates of the Villa La
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
them 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 l 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
bear-a real savage"
"Ah~ said the third lady, you do
not understand his case yet. Paganinl,
my friends, is simple miser. Do you
wish the proof? Does he not always
refuse to assist in charitable concerts 2"
at is very strange" said the fourth
Io1xy SfhDrr. lnSa TNraGtIngo III
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"
"Ohl do not hesitate, | pray you"
replied the youngest of these ladies.
''As for my part l would greatly prefer
almost anybody to him. Did you ever
see a man manifest so much indiffer-
ence. yes, even contempt for ladies so
ciety?"
al am of your opinion; but come,
my ladies, have scheme to submit
to you that has just popped into my
head. We must give this sleepy bear
a 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 somnolence, which
was most beneficial to his feeble state.
He never became a victim to loneli-
ness. As wood carver Paganini was
without rival Hour after hour he
sat IN his coy 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, a charming
Young girl, with frank face and smi-
ling countenance, 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
co time she succeeded in causing a
faint smile to appear on the wan face
as she aptly initiated the four eccentric
old ladies.
One morning. Louisette entered Paga-
minis room at the customary hour, but
n oct
doleful tone. Her eyelids were badly
swelled, her cheeks void of color, and q
very sorrowful expression played
around the finely-cut mouth.
"What is the matter, my poor Louis
ette?" asked Paganini.
"Oh! / am so unhappy Then she
hesitated, apparently checked by the
fast-falline tears and child-like sobs
that came in quick succession. Pagan
I'M allowed her to weep undisturbed for
a few mon ents, then said, in q most
sympathetic tone: "Tell me your
troubles. Perhaps can devise way
alleviate them"
"Ohi no, kind sir. No one in the
world can help me-"
"Tut, tut! l am inclined to believe
some lover is the cause Of all youl
grief"
Louisette colored and dropped hel
head.
"The wretchi Has he broken hi:
vows ?" asked Paganini with a smile.
"Nol nor replied Louisette. "My
dear Henri loves me too much to dc
anything so cruel rs that"
She could not continue, and, throw
ing herself upon ? chair, commenced
sobbing as if her heart would break.
Paganini stepped to the window
where she was seat d, took her hanC
in his, and said, very seriously: "Hav'
you confidence in me, Louisette?"
"Ohl yes sir" she replied.
avery well, my dear child. DIR.
your tears, and we will endeav,r t,
remedy the evil, however serious
may chance to be"
Henri has drawn an unfortunat,
number" said LOuisette, speaking yer.
rapidly. "He must join the army ant
leave for Lille on the morning express.
"Can he not procure a substituted"
." A substitute! How could we eve
dream of raising such sum-"
would 1t require very mucl
money!"
Fifteen hundred francs are de
manded, on account of the prospect Q
war"
swell, your misfortune is not S,