The Penn's Grove record., 1886-05-01
THE SABOT AND VIOLIN.

Toward the last of September, 1882,
the artistic world of Paris was deeply
affected upon learning that Paganini,
the celebrated artist was very Ill. lie
was seized with a violent fever at the
close of a concert, where he had been
the star and only attraction.
Kind friends and warn admirers did
all in their power to ameliorate his
sufferings, but without avail. Day
after day passed, and still the condi-
ton of the much beloved artist did not
improve. His physicians became alarm
ed, and urged upon him the necessity
of taking q rest of several mouths.
A beautiful morning in the month
of October he babe adieu to the capital
he had filled with his merited renown.
AT that time there was a celebrated
hospital near Paris. which was only
frequented by distinguished invalids.
1t was the Villa Lutetiana, named
without doubt in memory OF the an
Gent Lutece. This fine ediice was sit
uated in the centre of a pleasure gar
den which overlooked a charming AMI
heavily wooded park. There were
shady groves and walks for dreamers,
public drawlng-rooms for the lovers OF
games and conversation, and private
apartments for those who preferred the
''chez-soil" in tete-a-tete with the last
novel. His days were spent in prone
nading up and down the most retired
walks of the garden, and when even
ing approached he fastened to his room
to read and re-read a package of letters
yellow with age, to which a fresh one
was added from time to time.
Among the inmates of the Villa
Lutetiana there were four old ladies
who had become very warm friends on
account of their common love for card
playing, and the secluded life which
Paganini persisted in leading seemed to
cause them much annoyance.
'Indeed," said n of them, ''he is
not my idea of a great man. 1 do not
perceive anything remarkable / n him;
in fact, taking him all in all, he is just
like other men,"
las for me-" said the second lady,
''when / heard that he was to become
one of our number was In r%aptures,
and lattered myself with the thought
that he would frequently enliven our
promenadeS and soirees with his o
derful music, but behold how VIC are
treated. He rarely deigus TO recognize
us. and whenever he Is requested TO
favor us with a little music he calmly
shakes his head and retreats at once.
He is a bear-a real savage"
"Ahl' SAID the third lady, ''you do
not understand his case yet. Paga-
mini, my friends is simply a miser.
Do you wish the proof Does he not
always refuse to assist at charitable
concerts2"
1T is very strange" said the fourth
lady, "how great men lose prestige up
on acquaintance. / do not doubt but
that he is of some account on the stage.
But herel / do not know but. as far as
sociability IS concerned, | would pre-
fer to associate with the gardener"
"Ohi do not hesitate, l pray you,"
replied the youngest of these ladies.
'.As for my part, l would greatly pre-
fer, most anybody to him. Did you
ever see a man manifest SO much in
difference, yes, ven contempt for
ladies' society,""
81 am of your opinion, but come, my
ladies, l have a scheme to submit to
you that has just popped into my head.
We must give this sleepy bear a shak-
ing"
The celebrated vlollnist, however,
continued to live in the usual manner,
and slowly regained his strength. But
one would hardly have believed him to
be any better, he looked so very pale
and thin. His physicians rigidly tor
babe his doing any mental work, and
the great musician entirely deprived of
his art, passed the autumnal days in a
sort of intellectual somnolence, which
was most beneficial to his feeble state.
He never became a victim to loneli-
AS "a wood-carver Paganini was
without a rival. Hour after hour he
sat in his cosy little 0 and skilfully
handled chlsels, knives and other
sharp-edged instruments.
Although be seemed to be surround
ed by enemies instead of friends in his
new hGme, there was one being who
studied his comfort and exhibited the
most tender regard for him. This de-
voted creature was a young chamber
maid, named L~oulsette, a charming
young girl with a frank face and smil-
ing co~untenance, who cordially greeted
the distinguished artist every morning
as she lightly entered his room with
the early breakfast.
While the artist partook of the fra
grant coffee, delicious rolls and honey,
Louisette endeavored to amuse him by
some Of the incidents which
transpired at the hospital. From time
to time she succeeded in causing . FAINT