The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-05-14
SELECT STORY.
A ROYAL SYMPHONY.

hRreeu tndJ lt was entlrely MS OWn ldulb
that he had not achieved distinguished
position in the musical world. His musi-
cal gifts were beyond question. He was
perfect master of several instruments, had
profound knowledge of the theoretical
branch of his art and was in addition to
this a man of wide reading and some liter
ary power. But at the age of 80, he was
engaged in desperate struggle for exist
ence. The reason was not difficult to dis
cover Mr. Doublebass had sundry views
about the nature of art and the duties of
an artist, which, however sublime in
themselves, are conducive neither to per-
sonal popularity nor pecuniary profit. He
had a constitutional horror of humbug in
every shape, and an unfortunate facility
in hurting out his opinions in defiance of
conventionality and prejudice. BY these
means he had ruined one after another of
the chances life had brought him. He
had failed as professor at a we'll
known musical institution by remorse-
less severity with which he kept his pu-
pills at the groundwork Of their
studies before allowing them to pro-
ceed to higher things. He had made
himself impossible as conductor by
his resolute refusal to have anything to do
with works which did not satisfy his high
standard of artist excellence. He had lost
his post as musical critic on one of the
London dailes by his ferocious onslaught
upon one or two distinguished amateurs.
In the natural course of things, therefore,
Mr.. Doublebass sank lower and lower in
the world until, meeting with bad health
in addition to his other reverses, he was
at last compelled to take second fiddle
in a well-known London orchestra, while
his daughter Magge-for by this time
Mr.. Doublebass was awidower-eXtracted
what addition could be made to their
scanty means out of a maiden lady lodger.
One wet December evening the little
gentleman came home rather later than
usual to his modest mansion in the neigh
borhood of Park street, Camden Town.
Maggie was, as usual, waiting up for him,
and took from him his fiddle-case and
dripping overcoat-owing to circum-
stances beyond his control, Mr.. Double
bass had been out without an umbrella
The old man turned into the little front
parlor, and, without many remarks, fell
to work upon the fragment of Dutch
cheese, the household loaf and the half
pint of beer spread out for his refresh
ment.
ANY news, Maggie'" he inquired pres
emily.
ayes, great news, father" said the girl,
looking up from her work; Il have had
visitor"
"Frendly or hostile2" asked Mr.. Double
bass, who had a vivid recollection that the
"water-rates' had called few days pre-
viously, and promised repetition of his
visit shortly.
"A friend" in gay tone "He said he
ho1 fn,. md LOT 10 oh
with the message that you must be at
home tomorrow without fail" Mr..
Doublebass opened the note which his
daughter handed to him, and read as fol-
lows:
DEAR D.-Have you still got the SYM
phony by you. about which you spoke to
me some weeks ago? If you have, think
can find an opening for it, provided you
will be satisfied with lO-pound note. But
l must see you about it at once. VIII call
at 10 a. m tomorrow. Yours,
"SoAPLEY SMART"
"Bless the man, what does he scent him
self like that for? Why, the very paper he
touches smells like barber's. shop. Give
me the tobacco, Mag" cried the old man,
tossing the note from him with liff,
Hadn't better get the symphony, too,
father2" asked Maggie.
"Bah! what does he know about the
symphony? It's not the sort of stuff he
wants." said Mr.. Doublebass," contemptu-
ously. "However, l suppose he must see
it. Just get it down, Maggie, and I'll see
that it is all in order before | go to bed"
Maggie had no difficulty in laying her
hands upon the precious MS in question,
which had been the companion of their
troubles for many years, and Mr.. Double
bass solace under many trials. The girl
was, indeed, scarcely less interested in the
symphony than the old man himself and
knew enough of her father to guess that,
in spite of his petulant tone, the prospect
of his work being given to the world at
last elated him not little.
Punctually at 10 o'clock the next morn
ing Mr.. Soapley Smart drove up to the
door. He was by no means gentleman
of that type with which eminence in the
musical profession is commonly asso-
ciated. His clothes were of a highly fash
ionable cut and material; he had an eye
glass in one eye; his hair which was yell
low and scanty, was cut short and parted
in the middle and he wore heavy mus
tache and two little tufts of whisker. At
an early age of his musical career he had
achieved fame by the publication of Sc
ductive waltz of simple character, called
"Ecoutez-moi," and two or three intensely
pathetic ballads, the best known of which
is "rhe Angel and the Kiss" Having an
extensive connection in fashionable cir
cles, he had rapidly advanced into the
higher walks of art. He was the habitual
associate of aristocratic amateurs, per-
formed at smoking concerts, where even
royalty smoked cigars and played the
violin, conducted an orchestral society for
membership of which title was the on,
Indispensable qualification. During the
last twelve months this talented gentle
man had on more than one occasion
shown friendly interest in Mr.. Double
bass, and it was to him that the elder mu-
sician owed his seat in the orchestra
where he now played. Mr.. Doublebass,
who, to tell the truth, entertained pro-
found contempt for SOapley Smart and all
his works, was quite at Il loss to account
for these acts of friendship, though possi-
bly, if Miss Doublebass had chosen she
might have enlightened her father on that
point.
III haven't many minutes to spare" said
Mr.. Smart in his airy manner, as he took
a seat. Don't run away, Miss Double
bass. imay have to talk secrets, but
nothing, | am sure, but what may trust
you with. Now, then, where is the mag
mum opus"
Mr. Doublebass handed the MS, to his
visitor.
"Rather bulky, isn't itH" observed Mr.,
Smart, posing the work in his hands. 81
hope it isn't too long, though that's a
defect soon remedied. What's this?" the
critic had rapidly turned over page OF
two. ALLEGRO 'Andante con moto,
'Scherzo,' This looks like Philharmonic
form, doesn't it, Doublebassg We don't
want anything too serious, you know.
But perhaps | had better talk business
first. | have told you | can find an open
ing for this symphony, Doublebass, and
that you will be well paid for it. But
there are certain conditions. don't want
1t for publication in the ordinary way. II
is TO be prepared in public, but are you
prepared not only to part with the pro,
perty in it---of course for good considera-
tion-but to give up all claim to the
authorship" Mr., Doublebass, who had
been looking at his visitor with comical
expression, took of his spectacles, wiped
them and put them on again, as if Il
assist his comprehension.
81 beg your pardon" he said.
at is in this way" resumed Mr. Smart
"A new symphony is to be performed at q
certain concert to be given shortly il
London. want your symphony for thai
purpose. VIII it suit you to take a sun
down, give up all claims to the music, ant
never say another word about the transac
tionY"
"Oh" said Mr.. Doublebass; and hi
daughter saw the efTnrt IL cost his IN nra