The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-22
A GOOD STORY OF GUONOD,
how the Famous Composer Gave Street
Performance for tho Eenet1t Of An
Old Begear Musician.

possessed kind heart as we'll as the ge-
MUS of a great composer. The following
anecdote has the merit of being strictly
true in every detail:
On Christmas evening, in 1887, an
old man with stout stick walked
slowly through the most fashionable
quarter of Paris. His arm closely
pressed to his side. as if it were some
sacred thing, an oblong object wrapped
in checkered cotton handkerchief. He
was thinly clad, shivering and enaciat-
ed.
He was buffeted about by the skur-
rying crowds, apparently at a loss
which way to turn.
He united the checkered han6ker-
chief and disclosed violin and bow.
He raised the instrument and started
to play sentimental strain, but the
result was only harsh and inharmo-
nious sounds. The street gamins chat
ed him. With sob he fell down upon
the steps, resting the instrument upon
his knees. my Godm he cried, II
can no longer play"
Three young men came down the
street singing tune, then popular
among the students Of the Conserva-
toiore de Musique. One of them acci-
dentally knocked off his hat, second
stun bied against his leg.
The bareheaded old violinist rose
proudly to bic feet.
pardon, Monsieur" said the third
young man. II hope we did not hurt
you" The speaker picked up the old
mans hat.
NO" was the bitter answer.
The young man saw the violin.
You are musician?"
II was once" Two great tears trick
led down the old mans cheek.
What is the matter? Are you ill?''
The old man faltered for moment,
then he held out his hat to them.
''Give me trife, for the love Of God.
I can no longer earn anything by my
arE My fingers are stiff, bad my
daughter is dying of consumption and
want"
Down in his pockets went each one
of the trio. They were - poor
students, and the result was only six
teen sous. This was the combined
capital of the two. The third had only
CAKE Ol TSSlu.
This won't do," declared the one
who had apologized for the accident.
1--WE want more than that to relieve
our fellow artist. A pull altogether will
DO it. You, Adolphe, take the violin
and accompany Gustave, while I go
around with the hat"
4 ringing laugh was the answer.
They pulled their hats over their
faces and turned up their coat collars,
in order to avoid recognition. Adolphe
took the violin from the old mans
trembling hands. Gustave Strengthened
out his shoulders, In another moment
the first notes of the "Carnaval de
Venise" were floating out upon the
night air. Such masrerful music did
not customarily come from the instru-
ments of street players. Windows OF
the palatial houses flew up and heads
were thrust out Of the openings. The
stroflers coming down the street stop
ped, and. those who had gone on
retraced their footsteps. Soon good
sized crowd had gathered. Gustave sang
the favorite catavana from LA Dame
Blanchen in a manner that held the
audience spellbound. It 'rained money
into the hat when the song was
finished"
lone more tune" whispered the
treasurer Of the enterprise. Bring out
those bass notes of yours, Adolophe,
II! help you out with the baritone part,
Gustave, my brave tenor. The heavens
will open and larks ready roasted fall
into the old mans mouth. Well finish
up with the trio from 'Guillaume Tell.'
And mind now, we're Singing for the
honor of the Conservatory as well as
, for the sake of brother artist"
The three young men played and
sang probably as they never played and
sang in their after life. The most
critical Of audiences was enthralled.
Life came back to the old man. He
grasped his stick, and adopting it as a
baton, used it with the air of one having
authority. He stood transfixed when
! they had done, his face lighted up, his
! eyes glistening.
! The proceeds of the entertainment
! net.ed 500 francs. Many Of the
wealthy listeners had thrown gold
pieces into the old hat.
Then they gave him back his hatand
| its contents and wrapped up the ;nstru'
| ment in the old checkered hanC ner.
chief.
"Your names. Your names w the old
man gasped. Give me your names that
I NAV bless them on my deathbed."
MY name is Faith" said the first.
And mine Hope" said the second.
"And mine Charity" said the treas.
urer Of the enterprise.
You DO not even know mine," con.
tinued the old man, regaining bis voice.
"Ah d! l might have been an inposter,
but. am not. I am not! My name is
Chapsce. For ten years I directed the
| orchestra of the opera at Strassburg.
It was I who mounted 'Guillaume
Tell Since. I lett my native Alsace
misfortune has followed me. With
this money my daughter and I can go
to the country AID there she will re.
cover her health and I shall find a
| place to teach what can no longer
perform. You-all of you-shall be
the greatest of the greatest"
"Amen ~ was the hearty response
Of the students as they shook the old
mnn's hand.
Despite their attempt at disguise the
! young men had oeen recognized by
one who afterward told the tale.
They were known to fame in later
years as Gustave Roger, the great tenor
! Adolphe Herman, the great violinist