The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1885-05-16


ers, is we'll known. The slightest dis
cord produced in him severe irritation,
and when engaged in musical com.
position his feelings grew 30 intense
that he almost lost consciousness Of
all going on around him. Ono day
he was engaged in 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 endeav-
ored to attract the attention Of the
rapt artist. who scribbled away utter
ly unconscious Of her presence. She
ran down stairs with tears in her
eyes, telling the butcher that her
husband could not be spoken to, and
that he must come another time. But
the man of blood was not easily TO
be daunted; he must have his bill
settled, and speak with Mozart him.
self, or he would not send him an
other ounce Of meat. He ascended
the stairs. Mozart, distantly con<
scious that something had passed in
his presence, had continued pouring
the effusions of his fantasia on paper
when the heavy footsteps resounded
In the hall. His stick was at hand.
Without turning his eyes from the
sheet, he held the stick against the
door to keep out the intruder.
But the steps were approaching.
Mozart, more anxious, hurried % fast
- he could, when . rap ct the door
demanded permission to enter. Tho
beautiful e6usion WAS in danger Of
being lost. The affrighted composer
cast u fugitive glance ct his stick il
was too short. With anxiety border
ing on frenzy, he looked around his
room, and pole standing behind the
curtain caught his eye this he seized
holding il 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 re-
newed his efforts the second time.
But the strength of the composer
seemed to increase with his anxiety.
Large drops Of perspirat:oa 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 . moment, yet
it was . precious moment; the de-
lightful air was roured upon the
paper; 1t was saved!
"Mr. Mozart" said the butcher,
"Halt! haltY' said the mposer,
scizing the manuscript, and hurrying
toward the pianeforte. Down he sat,
and the most delightful air that WAS
ever heard responded from The in
strument. The eyes Of his wife, and
even Of the butcher, began to moist
en-. 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 l am to marry"
mo, l do not," said Mozart, who
had somewhat recovered from his
musical trance.
swell, then, you know IL now, and
you also know that you owe me
money for meat"
~ do" said Mozart, with sigh.
"Never mind" said tho man,
uuOCI NnObC oiOO0 -ct8buCQ CO8t O03t
. feeling heart. "You make me .
fine waltz for my marriage ball, and
I will cancel the debt, and let you
have meat for . year TO come"
1T is = bargsinl" cried the lively
Mozart and down he sat, and . waits
WAS ELECTED from tho instrument
such . waltz as the butcher had
never before heard.
"Meat for year, did I say :" ex-
claimed the cnrAptured butcher.
"No; one hundred ducats you shall
have for this waltz, but l want il
with trumpets, and horns, and fiddlos
you know best-snd soon tool"
"You shall have il so," said Mo-
Fart, who could scarcely trust his
ears, "and in ono hour you may send
for it,"
The liberal minded butcher re-
tired. In an hour the waltz was set
in full orchestra music. The butcher
returned, was delighted with the
music, and paid Mozart his one hum
dred ducats-a sum more splendid
than he had ever received from the
emperor for the greatest Of his operas.
-tExchange.