The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-11-12
Haunted by Music.

"Young man." said a prosperous-
looking citizen yesterday evening, 'sdid
you ever observe the habits of musical
peopleP"
20. no, sir; that branch is not in our
department
Because if you have" he continued
without noticing the answer, s.you
nave seen great deal of character
hadn't
With this strange declaration he
suDsided into deep reverie. A cloud
OF pain occasionally passed over his
Iace' and there was twitching of the
muscles OF the mouth, as if he were
undergoing some mental torture.
PRESENTLY he gave start, and rubbing
ms hands across his forehead for the
purpose OF collecting his thoughts,
broke the impending silence with his
voice.
"Ah, mel" he said. 81 was living
over again some nights of agony I
nave spent 1 am fast growing old. /
am haunted by terrible delusion. At
times L feel that my hair is white as
snow, my hands shake as if with palsy,
ana ! seem to totter on my knees.
when the idea pursues me 1 cannot
get rid OF it, and l am driven almost
to desperation"
~ am sorry for you, my friend"
sald the reporter. ttBut, really, Won
Gon look anything like the being you
describe. And he was, indeed, any,
thing but like it, Large, well-buiit,
lat and jolly,looking. he rather was
an lmpersonation of prosperous En-
glish country squire.
milne is peculiar case, 1 guess"
ne mused. ''And, strange as it NAV
seem, it is true that the delusion that
haunts my dreams. and makes nv
everyday life a miserable existence is
caused altogether by the playing of a
Vlollnist in yonder." and he turned his
head and pointed his finger toward a
dark, gloomy, dilapidated house that
loomed up in the shadows falling
around.
"He IS young man who has long
been IN low health and spirits. Two
Years ago his father died-stricken |
down very suddenly; six months after
ward his mother. one of the klndest
mothers that mortal ever loved, fol- |
lowed her husband, The brother and |
two sisters left behind continued to |
i've IN the old home. They were never |
seen to smile> The young man is
great lover of the violin. / believe he
was taught by his father. The instru-
ment he uses is a wonderful one that
was obtained in Italy over fifty wears
ago. The violinist never plays except
at night Then he shuts himself alone /
IN his dark room, and pours his soul
out through the strings. And, oh!
think there can be nothing in this
world OF the next sadder than the
wall IN that music, 1t is the melody
Of the soul that has been dead for
years. The players heart is broken,
and he plays heart-broken music. |
nave listened ut my window some
nights and eagerly drunk in every
note. 1t makes me feel old and heart
broken. 1t is terrible delusion, but
can not shake it off when it comes
lpon me. For days at time it makes
ne miserable. till l grow desperate"
The gentleman lives on Dr. street.
sast end. Those who are intimate
With him confirm his story. His case
indeed peculiar, Yet It Is not the
'nly one of its kind, for several SINH
ar to it have been known to occur. 1t
3 powerful illustration of the pecu-
lar mental organization of a musical
isposition, and of the mysterious in
luence that music has upon one who
oVes it and surrenders himself alto
ether to Its intiuence.-PittsbHrg Dis
Gtch.