The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1885-04-08
Mosarts Oxen Waltz.

| lie seDsltiVe nature OF MOZart, IDA
sweetest of all musical composers, Il
well known. The slightest discorC
produced in him severe irritation, aDC
when engaged in musical composition
his feelings grew 30 intense that lie al
most lost consciousness Of all going OIL
around him. One day he was engages,
i'm arranging one of the most beautiful
airs In an opera he was composing, when
the butcher called for his pay, which had
long been due. In vain his wife en-
deavOred To attract the attention of the
rspt artist, who scrubbed away utterly
unconscious of her presence. She ran
downstairs with tears i'm her eyes, tell
ing the butcher thai her husband could
not he spoken to, and that he must
come another time. But the man Of
blood was hot easily to be daunted; he
must have his bill settled, and speak
with Mozart himself, 80 he would not
send him another ounce of meat. He
c'tthhtb Nht 5tafiS. klOEoAt
Instantly conscious that some
thing had passed in his pres
ence, had continued pouring the effu-
siOns Of his fantasia on paper when the
heavy footsteps resounded in the hall.
His stick was at hand. Without turn
Ing his eyes from the sheet, he held the
stick against the door to keep out the
intruder
But the steps were approaching. Mo
cart, more anxious, hurried as fast as he
could, when a rap at the door demand
ed permission to enter. The beautiful
effusion was In danger Of being lost
The affrighted composer cast fugitive
glance at his stick; 1t was too short
With anxiety bordering on frenzy, he
looked around his room, and a pole
standing behind the curtains caught
his eye; this he seized. holding it with
all his might against the door, writing
like fury all the while. The knob was
turned, but the pole withstood the first
effort. A pause succeeded. Words
were heard on the staircase, and the
intruder renewed his efforts the second
time. But the strength of the COM
poser seemed to increase with his aux
iety. Large drops of Precipitation stood
on his forehead. Stemming the pole
against his left breast with the force Of
despair, he still kept out the visitor.
He succeeded but for a moment, yet 1t
was n precious moment; the delightful
air WAS poured upon the paper; it was
saved.
"Mr. Mozart-''said the butcher.
Halt! halt" said the composer, seiz.
ing the manuscript, and hurryiDg to-
ward the pianoforte! Down he sat and
the most delightful air that was ever
heard responded from the instrument.
The eyes of his wife, and even of the
butcher, began to moisten. Mozart
finished the tune, rose again, and,
running to the writing desk, he filled
out what was wanting.
"Well, Mr.. Mozart" said the butcher,
when the artist had finished, "you
know that am to marry"
mo, do not" said Mozart, who had
somewhat recovered from his musical
trance.
well, then you know it now, and
you also know that you owe me money
for meat"
81 do" said Mozart, with a sigh.
Never mind" said the man, under
whose blood-stsined coat beat a feel.
ing heart; "You make me a fine waltz
for my marriage ball, and will cancel
the debt, and let you have meat for a
year to come"
1T is bargain!" cried the lively and
gifted Mozart; and down he sat, and a
waltz was ELECTED from the instrument
such waltz rs the butcher had new
er before heard.
Meat for year, did ssy?" ex-
the enraptured butcher. "No;
one hundred ducats you shall have for
this waltz, but want it with trump
cts, and horns, and fiddles-you know
best-and soon tool"
"You shall have it So" said Mozart,
who could scarcely trust his ears, land
in one hour you may send for it,"
The liberal minded butcher retired.
In an hour the waltz was set In full
music. The butcher returned,
was delighted with the music, and paid
Mozart his one hundred ducats-a sum
more splendid than he had ever re-
ceiyed rom the Emperor for the great
est of his operas. -Zeit,mg.