River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-03-02

an dulmdteQ game Vi CSsiucy WHlls
Paganini, seated in a secluded corner
of the room, absorbed in an interest
ing book, was wholly unconscious o.
the malicious looks that were giver
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 addres:
has arrived. The porter is waiting il
the vestibule."
"a box?" said Paganini, much as
tonished. at must be mistake.
do not expect anything"
But, sir, your address is on it.
at is true, but that is all the same
| cannot conceive-where Is the por
terY'
"Here he Is, sir. He says he is in q
hurry"
whence comes this box?" asked
Paganni, regarding the man with sus
| picion.
From the office, sir. l don't know
anything more about it, except that il
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 haG
| taken possession of the box.
The porter had hardly turned his
back when Louisette glancing at the
box with much curiosity, eagerly said
az will assist you to take it up to your
room, sir"
"No, 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.
Eyes, indeed, will, since you are SO
anxious to see its contents. Come, aid
me, and we will have it open in 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 very nice inven-
ton. They have sent me this sabot as
an allusion to my avarice, and wish 1t 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
ganini 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 Lu-
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-
ity and exquisite skillfulness the old
sabot was being transformed into 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 he
the judge of it.
Soon large blue posters appeared all
around the Villa Lutetiana, 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.
1t is needless to say that few hours
after the distribution of the posters
every ticket was sold.
The most capacious theater of Paris
had been to small too accommodate all
the admirers of the great artist; but he
determined to play in the salon, con-
sequently 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
sembly filled the grand salon.
Finally Paganini appeared, with his
instrume nt, in the midst of silence SO
profound that the beating of the hearts
was almost audible.
Tumultous applause burst forth from
all sides of the audience; then subsidized
into one grand-shout of welcome, which
caused a 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 established,
After short prelude he suddenly
strikes out into a brilliant fantasia. He
is no longer a 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
a 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 everyone
is moved to tears. The artist seems ne
longer to belong to the earth. The
! musical drama he executes could have
only one significance. Hear the rolling
of the drum; behold the excitement o.
the military life, the sorrow of the sol
der who bids farewell to his compan
ions, the approach to the paternal roof
the meeting Of the betrothed, the tear
of joy.
Tremendous applause shakes thu
salon to the very foundation. The la
dies throw boquets and the gentlemen
kneel before the illustrious artist. Herr
and there one is seen drying the tear
which the magic power OF the musi'
caused to flow.
Noone sees young girl secreted be
hind curtain and crying bitterly. l
was Louisette, the poor chambermaid
upon whom the return of the conscrip
had made the deepest impression.
Pin again calls her to him and says
My dear child, we have been fortu
nate enough to collect 500 francs NOR,
than is required to procure substitute
for your betrothed. Take them. The,
will be sufficient to defray the expense
of the Journey. And now, as | an
about to leave this house, | give you