Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-02

he lands On the floor, and approaches the
han6somest maiden III all the throng.
The music ceased abruptly, and as ole
Bull. amid deafening applause. bowed
himself from the stage, little Ida fell faint
ing into her mothers arms. The excite
ment had proved too much for her She
had shivered and quivered and quaked
until she could bear the nervous strain no
longer.
Men and women crowded about Ole
Bull, after the concert, to grasp his hand
and thank him for the great pleasure ne
mad given them. Lars Norman was de-
prived of the satisfaction. His first duty
was to carry his little daughter home. and
soothe her to rest 1t grieved him that
the lass could not shake hands with Ole
Bull, he said
The next day Ida took up her fiddle
several times and tried to play as Ole Bull
had played. bat after each trial she put
down the instrument and wept, at first
softly, then passIonately and bitterly. At
length she laid it away tenderly in its
box
Il shall try no more said she to her
self. This fiddle of mine is child S
toy, it is no violin. 1t amused me while l
was baby. am large girl now, and
have heard a real artist on real violin.
| Neither my fiddle nor | can make music
like that | heard last night Goodbye
! dear piavmate-good-by e!"
And locking the box, she cast the key
| into the bright flames Of the open CRATE
| The box she carried to the attic and stow
ed it safely away. She was firmly resolved
never again to tamper with music.
No urging Of her parents who were
| much disturbed at her conduct, could move
| her TO fetch the fiddle from its hiding
place. AS one in a dream she wandered
about, filled with longing that differed
| from anything she had before expressed
She was starving for music.
There is usually a way for children of
genius to burst the chains that hold them
in bondage, and the way opened for Ida.
Her acquaintance was sought one day by a
lady. whom Ole Bull had interested in her
He had deeply regretted that the necessity
of taking night train hai prevented him
from seeing the child-violinist of whose
talent pople had told him SO much. and he
urged that it would be d most noble thing
to give her suitable musical advantages
These the lady came to offer Ida. Her
name was Mrs. Meyer. She was wealthy
widow. and had recently lost her only child,
| a daughter of whom she had hoped to make
fine violinist. Plans were being matured
to take the girl abroad when SIZE died
The musical education that was to have
| been hers, Mrs. Never wished to bestOw on
Ida When told Of the small fiddle locked
away forever In its box, she said the child
might use her daughter Amati violin
The Amati should eventually belong to
( Ida, she added, if the girl proved worthy
of it.
| Ida and her mother shed tears of min
gled JOY and anxiety at the preferred good
fortune. Lars Norman decided the mat
ter. So fine chance could not be thrown
away he said, and Ida went with her new
found friend.
Every art student, every little home-sick
maiden, knows the pangs Ida endured
while she received her first instructions IN
Chicago, when she seldom saw parents
and home, and during the year she studied
in Paris, when she was wholly separated
from them. In the fulness of time, she
| graduated with honors. at the Grand
Conservatoire, and created a positive
fM'O,'e wherever she appeared Her adopt
ed mother surrounded her with love and
appreciation, yet Ida s happiness was not
complete until she was folded in the en-
brace of her own dear parents at home.
To-day Ida is great artist. The name
by which she is known is familiar to you
all. She travels far and wide, and makes
! the most brilliant concert engagements.
Her genius, her artistic skill, and her
superb Amati form frequent theme of
conversation in musical circles. She loves
her art and her instrument, but she has
not forgotten the musical joys of her child
hood. Whenever she visits the cid home
stead, she steals up to the attic and takes
a fond peep at the box holding the wee
fiddle she once adored. She has never I'M
locked the box, for sic fears to break the
spell that makes the past radiant
Nor did she ever hear Ole Bull a second
time. No violin-playing ever touched
her as deeply as his on the eventful night
! Of her first concert Artists have told her
of certain limitations in his knowledge
and attainments. She remembers him as
! the majestic man, the ideal violinst, and
wishes always TO remember him thus.
He was her first great inspiration. Through
him came the good fairy who educated
her. He should remain her star. Soon
after she left Paris he died, but he lived
long enough to send her several cheering
messages.