The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-01-09
The Royal Tramp.
BARON BHARLAND's DEATH ON A PIANO
STOOL AFTER A woNDRoUs BURST
OF MELODY.

l cannot tell you the name he was
known by here, for others bear it still.
and it were better that it were forgot.
ten.
He was the natural son of the late
King of Wurtemburg, and his mother
was the only woman that the King
ever truly loved, but royalty has its
slavery more calling at times than the
fetters of the lowest bondman, and
reasons of state compelled a lofIier
alliance for his Majesty.
The boy, who had been given by
courtesy title of the Baron Bharland,
grew up, surrounded by every advant-
age that wealth and favor could insure
him. AS his tastes began to form
them selves, he developed a passion
for music, which was fostered and aid
ed by all that celebrated masters could
impart
Introduced under such favorable
auspi !es, the young musician might
have enjoyed brilliant career, but
upon the establishment of the North
German Federation the King of
Wurtemburg found his power and IN
come much curtailed, care and anxiety
finally brought on fatal illness, and
the King after years of poverty in
Paris, passed away. leaving the young
natural son wholly unprovided for.
Karl came to America soon after
and at once secured a splendid posi-
tlon among the piano masters of New
York. His pupils were from the
Weathiest and Oldest families and his
fees were princely. But soon his fatal
weakness began to develop--a love
for drink and debauchery.
Constantly falling into new trouble
and disgrace, repeatedly disappointing
his wealthy pupils, and neglecting all
social and professional duties, he soon
began to loose caste and was compell-
ed to content himself with poorer
class of patrons.
These, too, he neglected, disap-
pointed and disgusted, and falling
lower and lower in the social scale, he
was reduced to the lowest and most
disreputable professional work, and
even in the meanest position his dis
solute habits were constantly bringing
him into disgrace, although when seat
ed before the piano, even in his most
scottish state, his genius would assert
itself, and he still charmed his hearers
with his brilliant music, while his SLOW
emily disreputable appearance disgusted
every one near.
We lost sight of him for many years,
but one cold, dreary day in December
the last of the year, Mr.. Shermer, the
Boston music dealer, was crossing the
Common with friend. when the latter
pointed out a wretched, bloated tramp
seated upon one of the benches by the
pathway.
"Do you not recognize that man3'
asked the friend.
"No indeed" replied Mr. Shermer
"Why should lf'
because it is Karl -, the natur-
al son of the King of Wurtemburg."
"My Cod" exclaimed Shermer, in
in tone of horror, for he had known
Karl in his best and brightest days.
That evening the clerks at Shermer's
place were surprised to see filthy,
besotted vagabond shuttle into the
store and with vacant, dreamy look
in his eyes walk toward grand piano
that stood near the door.
"We have nothing for you,' said
a clerk, sharply, to the disreputable
looking creature.
81 don't want any money" said the
tramp, in a thick, husky voice, 81
only want to sit down before piano."
The superintendent was called from
his Office and informed Of the strange
request of the squalid intruder, and
from pure curiosity allowed the outcast
to have his way.
"God bless you," said the vagrant,
and with weary sigh he seated him.
self before the SPLENDID instrument
and with fingers stiffened by want OF
practice, but with the expression and
soul of true artist, began the open
ing strains Of the moonlight sonata of
Beethoven.
Clerks. customers and workmen,
every one in the establishment drop
ped their occupation and talk to listen
to the tender, soulfultones that rolled
forth from beneath the hands of the
besotted outcast.
At last the sonata was finished and
the wretched creature raised his head
upon his hands and bent over the
piano. SO long and silent he sat there
that at last one of the statesmen, think
ing the man had dropped asleep,
stepped up to the bowed figure and
shook him gently by the arm. As he
did so the head fell back and display
ed face all white and rigid, from
which the wide open eyes stared fix
edly.