Evening journal., 1892-01-11
THE WOODEN SHOE.

was announced among the artistic circles
Of Paris that Nicolo paganini had fallen
seriously IN at the conclusion Of grand |
concert given by the illustrious violinist I
He was attacked by low intermitting |
feaver, which refused to yield 20 the reme- 4
dies employed, and even gave rise TO ap /
prehensions for his life
paganini whose leanness was already I
almost spectral, now seemed TO have his |
frail existence suspended by thread, |
which the slightest shock might sever |
The physicians unanimously ordered soli- |
tude, absolute repose and a strict regimen |
as to diet.
Ia order to carry out these prescriptions, I
panauini removed TO the Villa Lutetiana, |
In the Faubourg poissonniere. This ex-
cellent establishment. which no longer ex-
lists, was intended exclusively for the recep-
tion and cure Of wealthy invalids. A
spacious, comfortable house stood in a
large parklike garden, where each patient
could ramhle at will and enjoy either soli-
tude or society at his choice. A great
charm of this house was that every one
lived just as he or she pleased, in the even
ing either retiring to the solitude Of his
apartment or joining in the games music
and conversation held In the drawing room.
Paganini naturally belonged to those who
preferred passing the evenings in quietness
and retirement There was plenty Of gossip
about him In the drawing room; three or
four censorious old maids fell on him tooth
and nail
Ladies, +" began one, "have you seen this
| great musicianf He salutes no one and
never speaks "a word He takes his bowl
Of soup IN an arbor in the garden and then
| hastens away IL any one approaches. What
an oddity he must beiN
"Thats part OF his malady, y said another;
"people say that there is some terrible
mystery about his life; some love story,
imagine"
Not at all, " added third; "Paganini is
a miser; there's no mystery about that.
| Do you remember that concert which was
organized in favor of the families who had
suffered from the inundation at St.
Etiennei The great violinist refused to
take part in il because he would have had
to play gratuitously. Depend upon IL, he
fears that, were he TO mix In our society,
he might be asked for similar favorsn
paganini guessed pretty well how he was
regarded by his fellow boariers, but, like
Gallo Of old, he cared for none OF these
things. His health became gradually bet
ter, yet In the whole house he never ex-
changed a word with any one except
Nicette. This was the housemaid who at
tended on him; a cheerful, innocent coun-
try girl, whose gay prattle when she served
his meals often awaited 10 dispel the cloud
which habitually darkened the brows Of
/ Paganini
One morning Nicette presented herself
! with sad, dropping countenance and
served breakfast without uttering a word.
J The musician, who was amusing himself
q with carving piece of ivory for the handle
, Of a dagger, noticed the change In th,
young girl and questioned her upon IL.
whats the matter, my child? You looh
sad, your eyes are red; some misfortune
has hefallen you, NicetteW
= ooh, yes, sir"
I "Would it be indiscreet TO ask you wha
b It ISL"
3 mo, sir, not precisely; butt
G paganni fixed his great black eyes oil
e the girls troubled countenance.
e Come be said, 81 see how il is. Ate
q having made you a thousand promises h
Q has quilted you and you no longer hav
any tidings Of him."
"Ah, poor fellowl He has Quilted m
certainly, but it was not his fault"
"How is that2n
p because in the CONSUMPTION he drew
z bad number, aud he has been sent ava
y with great long gun on his shoulder, an
Z shall never see him again." sobbed poo
q Nicette, as she buried her face Ia her whit
apron.
"But, Nicette, could you not purchase
substitute for himp
The GIRL withdrawing her apron, smile
! sadly through her tears.
y Monsieur is jesting,n she said; "ho
"A could l ever buy a substituteW
"Does il cost very dearY
II "This year men are tremendously dea
" on account Of the report that there is goir
= 70 be a war. Fifteen hundred francs IS q
- lowest price"
" The musician pressed Nicette's lit
plump hand between his long sallow Fl
gers as he said
or "If that's all, my girl, don't cry; we
"a see what can be done.N
NJ Then, taking out his pocketbook,
as wrote on a blank leaf;
~ "Mem.-To see about giving a concs
n for the benfit of Nicette."
q, A month passed on; winter arrived, al
paganini's physician said TO him;
"My dear sir, you must not venture O
of doors again until after the mouth
e's March,
Of ITO hear is to obey" replied the n
"a. stefan.
NO OuIlbE Tue utA
"a. Of health and strength returned to Pas
raj mini Having no longer the pleasant, sha
nd arbors Of the garden as a refuge, he beg
gradually TO linger a little in the draw
room. After dinner he used to throw hi
self on a sofa Of crimson velvet and p
ny half an hour in turning over a volume
Of engravings, or in slipping glass Of suga
TON water favored with orange flowers.
sed old ladies OF the society gossiped on alb
ing him and his odd ways, but he affected
Bis to hear, and certainly did not heed then
Christmas approached. On the anniH
sary custom exists in France dear to
juvenile inhabitants. A wooden shoe
placed at the corner Of the hearth, ant
up benefcent fairy is supposed 70 come dc
lans the chimney laden with various prese
,ked and dainties, with which he fills it.
calculated that one year with another
,anv Christmas wooden shoe enriches the Or
con of Paris with 2O00,00O francs.
six On the morning Of the oath Of Decem
Nav four of paganini's female critics were
9th consultation together
5th at will be for this evening" said on
"Yes, for this evening; that's settll
visit replied another.
tate After dinner Paganini was, accordin
ralid his custom, seated on the drawing n