Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-01-01
TOLD OF PAGANINI.
Two Gracious lets Done By the IneOmpar
bile VIoiinlst.

Two Gracious 4 cts Done by the IneOmparA-
BILE VIOilnlst.
At this moment | am reminded OF .
very gracious act dcne by PaganinL the
violinist near the end OF his lifO- YOu
know, probably, that Paganini was re-
garded by many as a supernatural be-
ing-ay, a diabolical creature in pact
with the devil His uncanny appear.
ance and the weirdness OF his art tended
to confirm this vulgar superstition II
was after the viOlinist had achieved
worldwide fame and had amassed
large fortune, that Hector Berlioz first
came to Paris to conduct the perform
ance of one of his own compositions So
very poor was Berlioz that he had hard
ly money enough wherewith to pur-
chase a coat in which to appear decent
ly in public At his first appearance in
Paris Paganini was present, occupying
a box-an emaciated man, wi tn rolling
black eyes and hair that tumbled gro
tesuuely about his face and upon his
shoulders After the performance Paga-
mini came upon the stage, led by his httel
boy. The great master threw himself at
Berlioz's feet and hugged his knees,
CRYING: 81 embrace tho immortal Bee
thOven's successor! You alone are
competent to take up his work where
he left it"
Berlioz for the nonce forgot his povertH
and his misery; Paganinrs enthusiasm
cheered him; the two talked long AND
earnestly together On the following
morning, while sitting in his room, the
little boy entered-PsganinPs little boy.
Papa sends you this note, and wants
YOU TO read 1t when you are alonS
The note was from Paganini, and
abounded in sentiments Of admiration
and condolences; better yet, It contained
a check for 90. 900 francs, sum that
made Bedrlioz a comparatively rich
man, relieving his necessities and en-
abling him to pursue (unmolessed Dy
fear of creditors) those noble WORKS
which survive, q monument to his geuius
and 10Y to all lovers Of music
Like other great geniuseA Psganini
enioyed an occasional eccentricity. AZ
one time, when he was in Vienna ne
asked a cabman what Of all things In
life he most desired
ST most wish had money enough 70
90 to hear that fiddler Of whom the city
talks so much" replied the cabman-
'You shall hear him." said PsganinL
"You shall drive me to the theatsr 70.
night, for ], too, shall hear him, ana !
will buy g ticket for you !"
Imagine the astonishment and priqS
of that cab-driver when, ensconeed u
the theater that evening, be discofsreo,
that Paganini was none other than his
patron! After that the grateful felloYI
insisted upon driving Paganini to ana
/ from the theater every evening, ana IL
was with honest protests that he was
induced to accept any fares But ne
got the great artists permission 70
name his cab ''the Paganini, and Wnen
it became known that the wizard hao
really patronized this particular CAB.
man the fellow became the fashion Ano
| fairly coined money.
Four years later Pagan nj revisited
Vienna, and upon his first appearance
he was disturbed by the violence ana
prolixity of the applause which issued
| from a large party in one of the pros
| cen .um boxes The party seemed 70 %
| a family-yes, it was the cabmap's fam
| ilv. all dressed to kill, all smiling ana
enthusiastic, and all Jealous to mani-
fest their appreciation both OF "a
paninis art and Of their indebsedness
10 him. When Paganini learned who
his noisy admirers were. he was greatly
amused. and he was willing to pardon
their inopportune and riotous demon
strations OF gratitude. Next Cay the
cabman called and took his patron fos :
drive and showed him the houses ns
had bought and builded within 70
vears-all the consequence OF Pagani7
little act OF kindness-Eugene
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