The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-01-23
HIS FIRST AND LAST ADAeIo. =

HIS tlhS AND LAST ADAGlO. -
A Touching Story OF an Air That the Late
Kaiser Was Very Fond OF.
In the year 1874 Prince Frederick was
in his thirteenth year. His music lesson
was over one day, and his teacher,
Reichardt, the composer of the German
patriotic song, "What Is the German
Fatherlandp' was going away, when the
prince said: s9Herr Reichardt, papa,s
birthday viii be the 22d of March.
Herr DR.. Curtius thought it would be
nice for me to learn something special
for that day. Will 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. HIM, h-m," re
piled Reichardt, who rummaged about
the music to find something suitable.
Finally he held a piece in his hand longer
than he had held the others.
SIS that suitable, Herr Reichardt?"
'sYour royal highness, we are not far
enough advanced. This is too difficult.
1t is the adagio from Schumann's (F
sharp minor) sonata It will not do.
The time is too short"
.''Oh, Herr Reichardt,' said the prince
coaIngly, 'tI shall be very industrious.
Please, pleased 1t will dot must DOR
The prince added gayly: eft will not do
'adagio.' It will go forte That is
what papa always says to me-"
The difficult adagio was studied with
diligence, pains and perseverance. On
the 22d of March the young prince sur
prised his illustrious father by the per-
formance of the splendid piece, which he
played with astonishing frmness 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 Friedrichsron 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 a
smile at his true and tried companion.
With a 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, ''Win it not excite you
too much?"
NO." motioned the kaiser. Then he
wrote little note. ST wish to heal
good music; could not Rufer, Victoria's
teacher, conner"
'sI 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 a piano in the ad
joining room, the doors were opened
and the artist seated himself at tn,
piano. The kaiser requested to hear sew
eral of his favorite melodies, and listened
ing tune language.
The master, overcome with emotion
had already played several pieces of hi
own and of the compositions of others
The kaiser had him thanked every tim.
and asked for more. The closing chord
of a melody had again died away whe1
the empress asked him. full of concern
'sTired, or does it excite your
The kaiser answered in the negativ,
and again wrote a note: ftOnly one ye
AN adagio from a sonata. 1t shall b.
the last" The master in the next room
complied with tho dying kaiser's wish
He seated himself again at the piano ant
played splendid adagio. The sic
kaiser listened. His eyes grew brighter
He motioned to the empress and wrot
with feverish haste several words
"Forty years ago played this adagi
for my papa's birthday. Certainly no
so well. Very pretty. Thanks, Rufer
Last piece; then sleep"
1t was really the last piece, this ada
gio. They were the last musical tone
that reached the dying nonarch's ears
-Philadelphia Times.