The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-02-29

C8ri. OO You not tnlnk ne pays Deau-
tifully on his violin?" ~
Carl Werther was FIRST violin ut the
Royal Opera- House, and the two must
clans were slightly acquainted. Carl's
compositions wsre very clever, 30 his
| friends told him. He was writing an
opera, "Abelard and Hcloise," and
many said it would make him famous.
"Oh! but if it should fail?" said lit
tie Lottchen, her heart sinking at the
thought. e..
s"Failr' Carl would answer proudly
| and with some contempt. '' All!
Lottchen mine, you do not understand
famous critic. say when showed him
my score? He was enthusiastic; so are
all who hear my Ahelard! Aha, you
doubt my talent, little goose? Very
we'll; wait and sce."
Thus had Giuseppe Fuselli spoken
forty years before, and he was now
half starving in Berlin garnet; but
Carl had all the pride and self-con-
fidence of a youth OF twenty. To him
the future was roseate, and fame a goal
to be swiftly and surely reached. Fail!
He knew not the word.
The grand prize for composition was
the talk of the art world and or Ber-
Inns Bohemia.
Fuselli had heard -luch of the hopes
and fears felt by young aspirants who
had already sent to the Judges their
scores. signed only with names that
would hide their identity. For himself
Giuseppe felt but little interest. in the
contest. He had given up the strife
long since; had folded his hands,
bowed his head. and said: 1.-The world
has been too much for me. l yield to
fate; only-let me be first violin"
Ambition TO him wa, stifieI. He had
q pile of manuscripts in his closet. and
around them the spiders had woven
their webs and the dust had gathered
thickly.
Sometimes he looked at them and
said: ''lerhaps. after am dead. they
may be heard. and then tie name of
Fuselli shall be great after ALL But
then, if he were first violin. he should
have food in plenty. Now he was very
often hungry.
Lottchen went with her Carl to the
gardens. The old musician remained
al, day in his garnet, dreaming over his
music and his psst.
When evening oss-ne he took his vio-
lin from tae shelf, AM walked toward
the opera house. The streets were sti
crowded with the jewellers of the day;
some returning home; others prcpar-
ing to carry their pursuits of
pleasure far into the night. Students
and young soldiers, who had taken
more wine than was gord for them,
jOstled one another at the street cross
ings, and the students Ter m ngled
with tie brazen music of the bands in
the city's many p 'easure gardens.
A group of students stood be ore the
entrance of cafe, and, as Fuselli was
piss ng, one of them, tall, staiwart
fellow, seized him roughly by the arm
and exclaimed:
'.Just what we were wishing for.
Now, Heinrich, you can give us your
song and old Paganini here will play
for us. Come. comrades-a jolly
chorus"
pardon. gentlemen. said Giuseppe.
81 am on my way 10 the Royal Opera |
aui must take my place in the orches-
ira. Let me pass. if you please
''Bah! you old imbec lie. Your stop
ping away would not greatly disappoint |
the aud enae,' l fancy. They have
Lucca and Wachtel tom ght, and can
spare one fidlle scraper among so
many! Eth. comrades?"
right. Conradr' said another stu
dent. Come. old fellow, let us hear |
what you can do. You play for us; we
will sing for YOU, and you can DIR nix Tor
YOURSELF" and his companions shouted |
their approval.
But the old man still demonstrating |
with his prosecutors, the student Who |
had first spoken became furious. Seiz-
ing Fuselli by the wrist, he. wrenched |
from him his violin, and threatening
him with it, cried: Then you and your
violin shall furnish music of another |
sort. you old curmudgeonr'
1t would have Jared ill with Fuselli |
and his violin; but the wanton student
arm was seized by firm hand and a
resonant voice exclaimed:
"For shame, Conrad Reichart! Look
1t the man, he is three times your
age"
"Oh! Then he is friend of yours,
Carl Werther," rejoined Reichart.
''Well, very likely, he is surly enough.
But shall do as l like with the Old
Curse your interferencer'
"You will do him no harm, [ sayr'
said Carl. 1.-The old man has claimed
protection of me, and depend upon it,
he shall have il"
The Infatuated student released the
trembling Giuseppe and turned upon
Carl. Then you know what to ex-
pect," he said, grimly. 'You do not
look like coward, though you are an
insolent meddler. You will fight, l
suppose"
"You are right" answered Carl. 81
am not a coward. You know well that
for me to fight with you. the best
swoTdsman in Berlin. is like running to
meet death. Still l am not afraiI to
stand before your sword. 1 will meet
you at twelve tonight Just outside the
you know the place"
''Good!' exclaimed Conrad Reichart;
and { arl, taking Fuselli's arm, walked
hastily toward the opera-house.
Carl. in common with all German
students. had had practice in fencing
and in saber exercise: He had even
taken part in two or three encounters,
where the results had not been serious:
but he was no match for an accom-
plished swordsman and marksman such
rs he knew his challenger to be.
No sooner was the opera over than he
FASTENED to the home of his Lottchen.
It was very late; but when he called to
1er window that he had been summoned
lpon journey, and must 90 before /
she came to the house-door,
and. with many tears and entreaties to
'eturn very soon. babe HIM farewell.
Then Carl turnpd his Stems in tho III;