Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-10-03
A BOLD AMERICAN GIRL
BURlESQUES LIST TO HIS FACE,
AND BREAKS THE PIANO STRINGS.

| BuRLEsouEs LIST TO HIS FACE,
AND BREAKS THE PIANO STRINGS.
A Sudden Sensation In Social Circles
The Able Standing on His Dignity
Turning . Deaf Ear h the Ladies-A
Daring Deed.
Liszt was o strange compound OF
strength and weakness, but his strength
was Of the best, and his weaknesses
harmed no one but himself. An article
ON this subject, quoted from a Paris jour
nal, may interest your readers, and gives
n avery amusing idea OF Liszt's life
in Rome during the pontiicate OF Plus
X: .
THE ia, lar card Of the Princess x
made n day a sudden sensation in social
circles. It ran thus: Come and takea an
ice with me tomorrow evening. We
shall hear Liszt.' Liszt was the god OF
the hour. Gossip was busy with his
friendship for Mime. de W. 1t was said
that the lady had extracted from the cele-
brated pianist the legitimate ratification
Of their affection; that List, quite averse
to marriage, had interposed between his
friend and himself the obtacle of the
sacred engagement to take holy orders.
All wondered at the sudden investment
Of the artist with clerical vestments, and
curiosity, not entirely Invested of malice,
was excited. we shall hear Lisztp
@Not one of the hidden guests failed to
accept the Of the Princess Y.
Old Roman patricians, the foreign colony,
English, Americans. the corps diplo-
matique, officers of the pontifical army,
many prelates, and even cardinals, gath.
cred in her salon, happy for the promised
attraction, and promising themselves the
pleasure of hearing the illustrious pianist
and new able.
"Liszt appeared. The long black robe
became well his tall, thin figure. He
wore it without embarrassment, with
that weary and a little naughty express
sion which never really left him. He re
ceived with dignity the homage Of the
lovely ladies, saluting them majestically,
scarcely deigning to open his lips, and
producing upon the spectators, especially
the young and timid, a feeling of W
They found the atmosphere of the room
imbued with his presence. The more
courageous brought him champagne and
lemon ice, but their hands trembled while
doing it. One whispered as if in church.
One feared to disturb the repose Of the
lion. The evening advanced, and still the
master had not approached the grand
Erard which stood open for him. The
Princess Y. at last decided to solicit him
to play. The guests brenthlessly awaited
the hoped.for pleasure; they placed them.
selves in the most favorable positions for
hearing. The discreet murmur OF CON
versati6n stopped altogether. 1t was an
hour of ectasy. But List had nerve; he
refused to take his place Mt the piano.
The princess insisted; she reminded him
that he had played at the Colonna palace.
Why should he not play here?
"Liszt, cold and immovable, answered
briefly, 4 will not play!'
"The princess was desperate. Her guests
had been brought here by a false hope. In
the midst of the general silence the col
loquy became painful. A few charitable
souls came to the rescue; q prelate inter-
fered. The master was obstinate. The
prettiest women deluged him with elO-
quent solicitations and supplicating looks.
All efforts fuiled. The great spirit re-
manned cold, and he declined in n tone
cutting and incisive. All seduCtions were
powerless to move him.
an the midst Of the general dismay, q
young lady, excited and irritated like all
the rest, rose and addressed in these terms
the unfortunate mistress OF the house,
who sat upon thorns: Dear princess, the
master has refused us the great happi-
ness his presence made us hope for. We
can not hear his'divine harmoniesl But,
since our friends expect music, Twill, al
though very unworthy, offer my modest
assistance. l will go TO the piano
"The stupefaction could not have been
greater il one had seen the cupola OF
st. Peters perform q ~fandango. The be-
numbed audience watched %curiously the
young woman. 1t was an American, very
gay, very daring, very witty, well known
for her eccentricities, but a woman OF
mind and real talent, and so young and
pretty that no one could find fault with
her. She gracefully unglov'd her hands,
while the princess murmured her aston
ished thanks, seized the arm OF the first
cavalier who presented himself, and went
and seated herself on the piano stool.
This scene attracted a wondering atten-
ton. For a while everybody forgot List
for the beautiful eyes of her who took his
place. With the precision OF an artistic,
but the mischief of n child, she preluded
brilliantly. But the piece! oh, the
piece! 1t was a parody extra noisy OF the
most noisy composition Of List. And
what gave ~piquancy to the thing was that
the eX%ecutante initiated exactly the
method OF the master. The notes vi
brated more and more under the furious
attacks; they growled angrily; the hands
ran as II they were mad over the cleo
triiieG keys. Soon it vas not only the
finger but the fist which hammered the
note, or perhaps the arm, and even the
elbow struck the ivory in burlesque
chords.
The American lady was no longer
seated-she played standing, her eyes
raisei to heaven, the head turned up,
rolling her glances, either swooning or
maddened, about the room, and shaking
herself like an evil spirit. Finally, her
hair, shaken as IL by a whirlwind,
escaped from the comb and fell in a sheet
about her shoulders. She interrupted her
play, raising herself with a gesture
toward her forehead, exactly like the
master, then painting, exhausted, laid on
with all her force the last hoarse chords,
and let herself fall upon the piano stool,
apparently half fainting. The tabouret
broke with a groan, and at the same
moment some Of the strings Of the piano
cracked under the last pressure.
Never shall | forget the effect Of this
Joke, doubtful rs it was IN the whole.
The guests forgot all decorum, they
writhed with laughter, they held their
sides, they wept. The thing was so unex-
pected. she was so droll, that no one could
check the gayety OF this immense salon.
The good princess could only follow the
tide. And the masteri He grew wan,
green, and red By turns, and picked nery.
ously at the buttons of his new cassock.
He threw a wandering glance upon the
audience. No one dared TO fix his gaze
upon him; they were all well bred, but
thep laughed aloud, although without
malice or any intention Of being insulting
or aggressive. Thus the able was enabled
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