The Penn's Grove record., 1886-05-01

SOUL 10 luis OUgoCb, anu bu6 WuIlu Wa
to be the Judge Of it.
Soon large blue posters appeared all
around the Villa Lutetiana, and were
freely distributed in Paris.
They announced that New Years
eve a grand concert would be given in
the salon of the Villa Lutetiana, in
which Paganini would reappear upon
the stage
It is needless to say that a few hours
after the distribution Of the posters
every ticket was sold.
The programme consisted of ten
pieces-tive upon an ordinary violin
and five upon a sabot.
The most capacious theatre Of Paris
had been too small to accommodate all
the admirers of the great artist; but he
had determined to play in the salon,
consequently had given orders that
only a limited number of tickets should
be sold.
The anxiously awaited hour arrived,
and soon an artistic and a~ristocratic
assembly filled the grand salon.
Finally Paganini appeared, with his
instrument, in the midst Of the silence
so profound that the beating of the
hearts was almost audible.
Tumultuous applause burst forth
from all sides, of the audience; then
subsidized into one grand shout of well
come, which caused a smile Of graft
tude and pride to appear on the pale
face of the celebrated artist.
Paganini gave n stroke with his
bow and quiet was soon reestablished.
After a short prelude, he suddenly
strikes out into a brilliant fantasia. He
is no longer a man. He Is transformed
into an angel of harmony. The audi
ence thrilled with Joy, became motion
less. They hardly seem to breathe; and
as the last note dies away there they
sit, still listening ~intently.
HE VIII not be able to surpass that
he never played better!" was whispered
throughout the assembly.
However, prepared for miracles from
a mar who had accomplished upon the
violin what no human hand had ever
achieved before him, the amateurs
waited with a feverlsh excitement. In
a few moments Paganini r~eappeared,
holding the announced sabot in his
hand.
Suddenly notes SO plaintive and sweet
fall from the new violin that one every
is moved to tears. The artist seems nc
longer to belong to the earth. The
musical drama he executes could have
only one Significance. Hear the rolling
of the drum; behold the excitement of
he military life. the sorrow Of the SOL
dier who bids farewell to his compan-
ions, the approach to the paternal roof,
the meeting Of the betrothed, the tears
of joy.
Tremendous applause shakes the
salon to the very foundation. The
ladies throw bouquets, and the gentle.
men kneel before the illustrious artist.
Here and there one is seen drying the
tears which the magic power of the
music caused to flow.
No n sees a young girl secreted be-
hind a curtain and crying bitterly. 1t
was Loulsette. the poor chambermaid
upon whom the return of the conscript
had made the deepest impression.
Paganini calls her to him, and says:
MY dear child, we have been fortu.
nate enough to collect 500 francs more
than is required to procure a substitute
for your betrothed. Take them. They
will be sufficient to defray the expenses
of the journey. And now. as I am
about to leave this house, l give you a
souvenir. Here is the old Sabot. Per-
haps it merits the name of violin now.o
Louisette was too much affected to
speak, and, grasping his hands, she
covered them with tears Of joy and
gratitude.
The violin was a very fine dowry for
the young girl. She sold it to an anna
teur for 5000 francs,and 1t has become
by inheritance, the property of a great
Belgian manufacturer, who, naturally
enough, values it at a very high figure,
and loves tn relate its history.