The Portland daily press., 1891-01-01
HIS FIRST AND LAST ApAoIo.
A Touch ng story Of an Air that the
Late Kaiser was very FOND OF.
philadelphia Tlmes.1

In the year 1874 Prince Frederick was
in his thirteenth year. His music lesson
was over one day, and his teacher,
helchardt, the composer OF the German
patriotic song, What Is the German
Fatherland?" was going away, when the
prince said: Herr Reichardt, papas
birthday will be the 22d of March.
Herr Dr. Curtius thought it would be
nice for me to learn something special
for that day. Win you kindly choose
something suitable? 1t may be some
thing difficult, so that papa sees that
have taken pains to please him. Papa
loves music full of soft and tender feel
ing"
Eyes, royal highness, then we must
take pretty adagio. HIN, h-m," re-
piled Reichardt, who rummaged about
the music to find something suitable.
Finally he held piece in his hand longer
than he had held the others.
"Is that suitable, Herr ReichardI?"
Your royal highness, we are not far
enough advanced. This is too difficult.
1t is the adagio from Schumann's IF
sharp minor) sonata. 1t will not do.
The time is too short"
"Oh, Herr Reichardt, said the prince
coaxingly, Il shall be very industrious.
Please, please! 1t will dot must dol"
The prince added gayly: 1T will not do
'adagio.' 1t will go forte. That is
what papa always says to me-
The difficult adagio was studied with
diligence, pains and perseverance. On
the POD of March The young prince sur
prised his illustrious father by the per-
Torrance of the splendid piece, which he
played with astonishing firmness and
great feeling. His father presented him
with a complete outfit of tools for cab
met work for his diligence.
Forty-four years after at the imposing
castle of Frielrichskron lay the noble
Kaiser Friedrich the heroic sufferer.
His former clear and sunny eyes looked
tired. Only at times he seemed to re-
vive-when he looked through the open
window into the chief avenue which
passes from Pottsdam through the royal
gardens at the castle. Then more light
and cheerfulness came into his eyes
The empress entered. She tried to
look cheerful as she sat down beside the
sick bed of her beloved husband. His
countenance suddenly lighted up with
smile at his true ana tried companion.
With motion of his hand he signed to
her that the pleasant weather pleased
him SO much.
Toward the last the sufferer could not
speak, and he preferred to make signs
rather than write notes. The empress
asked her husband whether he had spe-
cial wishes, and after little pause he
motioned piano playing.
WHO shall play?" asked the empress.
Then she added, "Will it not excite you
too much?'
NO." motioned the kaiser. Then he
wrote little note. II wish to hear
good music; could not Rufer, Victoria's
teacher, conner"
II shall have him asked to come" said
the empress. He is over in the Born
stedter church now giving her organ les
sons"
The empress gave the required direc- |
tions, and the composer of merlin" ap- |
peared. There was piano in the ad- |
joining room, the doors were opened, |
and the artist seated himself at the |
PAoAO' AhO hdloSI ICquSSb6u W near sew
eral of his favorite melodies, and listened |
with evident pleasure to the heart touch !
ing tune language.
The master, overcome with emotion, |
had already played several pieces of his
own and of the compositions of others.
The kaiser had him thanked every time
and asked for more. The closing chords
of a melody had again died away when
the empress asked him, full of concern,
Tired, or does it excite your
The kaiser answered in the negative |
and again wrote note: ''Only one yet |
an adagio from sonata. 1t shall be |
the last" The master in the next room |
complied with the dying kaiser's wish.
He seated himself again at the piano and |
played splendid adagio. The sick
kaiser listened. His eyes grew brighter. |
He motioned to the empress and wrote |
with feverish haste several words: |
Forty years ago | played this adagio |
for my papas birthday. Certainly not |
so well. Very pretty. Thanks. Rufer |
Last piece; then sleep"
TWAS really the last piece, this ada
gio. They were the last musical tones
that reached the dying lnonarchs ears.