The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-29
A GOOD STORY OF aoUNoD.
How The Famous Composer Gave a
Street Performance.
From the New York Press


Charles Francois Gounod. whose loss
the musical world 50 deeply mourns. pos
sessed a kind heart as well as the genius
of a great composer. The following anec-
dote has the merit of being strictly true
in every detail:
On Christmas evening, in 1887, an old
man with a stout stick walked slowly
through the most fashionable quarter of
Paris. His right arm closely pressed to
his side, as II II were some sacred thing.
an oblong object wrapped in a checkered
cotton handkerchief. He was thinly clad
shivering and emaciated.
He was buffetted about by the skurry-
ing crowds, apparently at loss which
way to turn.
He united the checkered handkerchief
and disclosed a violin and bow. He
raised the instrument and started to play
a sentimental strain, but the result was
only harsh and harmonious sounds. The
street gamins chaffed him. With sob he
Tell down upon the steps, resting the in
strument upon his knees. My God" he
cried. Il can no longer play"
Three young men came down the street
singing tune, then popular among the
students OF the Conservative de Musioue
One of them accidentally knocked of his
hat, a second stumbled against his leg.
The bareneaded old violinist rose
proudly to his feet.
MUSICIANS MEET.
Pardon, Monsieur" said the third
young man. Il 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 trickIed
down the old mans cheeEs
What is the matter2 Are YOU ill2n
The old man faltered for moment;
then he held out his hat to them.
GIVE me trif1e, for the love Of God, I
can no longer earn anything by my art
My fingers are stiff, and my daughter is
dying Of consumption and want.
Down in his pockets went each one of
the trio. They were but poor students,
ana the result was only sixteen sous
This was the combined capital of the two.
The third had only cake of resin.
This won't do" declared the one who
had apologized for the accident I'VE
want more than that TO relieve our fellow
artist. A pull altogether will doit, You,
Aoolpne, take the violin and accompany
Gustaye, while 60 around with the hat
ringing laugh was the answer.
RARE TREAT FOR PAssERs BY.
They pulled their hats over their
races ana turued up their coat collars. in
order to avoid recognition. Adolphe took
the violin from the old mans trembling
hands In another moment the first
notes OF the Carnival de Venise" were
floating out upon the night air. Such
masterful music did not customarily
come from the instruments Of street PLAY
ers. Windows Of the palatial houses few
mp. and heads were thrust out Of the Cd
enings. The sirollers coming down the
street stopped. and those who had gone
on rctrAced their footsteps soon a
good sized crowd gathered Gustave
sang ne fayOrlJe cataVana from ia
Dame Blanche in a manner that held
the audience speliboaud. - s'raiBed
finished
zone more tune whispered the treas
hfef ~ the epterDrlse bring or those
bats noles ~ yours Aagipbe Tll heID
sou oli Dltb The baritone part. GustaVe.
~ brave yenor The besyeas viii open