The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-08-22

fOrlN-lOur years later.
1t was in the year of mourning, 1858.
The imposing Castle Friedrichskron, call
ed so Immediately after Emperor Freder-
lexis accession to the throne, lay there in
the bright sunshine and majestic beauty,
and man and nature - yes, all - here
breathed happiness, rapture and life
All2
Alas, mol For in one of the apartments
of the lower floor lay, with pale face, on a
slightly raised couch, a man of whom "A
short time before could still have b
sald what Chirun said of Achilles, "Hc q
ever hard sculptors worked on him, hen. =
er appeared as grand as he was in realit, "
1t was the noble Emperor Frederi
stricken by most cruel fate, the suffe n
so resigned to his lot. The eyes, forme V
so clear, blue and sunny, created TO q
the sun of beauty and to absorb the ra .-
ance thereof well as to give forth
that is beautiful grand, good and no. g
in mans spirit and heart. looked wearily
in front Of him. Only occasionally, when
they lifted themselves to look through the
open window far into the main drive
which leads through the royal gardens aud
terminates here at the castle, more radi-
ance aud cheerfulness filed his eyes, and
the gaze into the ocean of verdure, in
which marble statues shone here and there.
seemed to bathe itself in the enchanting
beauty of nature.
The empress entered. She tried to ap-
pear very hopeful and cheerful and seated
herself beside the couch of her dearly be-
loved husband. just rs the fields outside.
so the royal patients countenance was
suddenly overcast with sunshine. He
smiled at his faithful wife, and by gently
waving his hand toward the window he
seemed To say how glad he felt to see the
beautiful weather. Toward the last the
sufferer, who could no longer speak, pre-
ferred to make himself understood by
means of signs, and the imperial family
as well as the rest who were in attend
ance had acquired such practice in the
interpretation of these signs that the em-
peror could dispense almost entirely with
the troublesome writing on tablets.
The empress asked her noble husband IL
be had any particular WISH and after
pause he made his fingers move as II he
were playing the piano,
"Who shall playf' asked the empress,
and added anxiously, "And would it not
excite you too muchsn
"No, indicated the emperor, and then
he wrote on his tablet
II desire very much to hear music
Could not Rnefer, Victoria's teacher,
Gomez
"I shall send for him." replied the EN-
press. HE is over at the Bornstedter
church just at present and is giving her
an organ lesson
The empress then gave the order, and
toward half past II oclock the artist and
composer of the "Merlin" appeared to an
swer the honored call. In the apartments
adjoining that of the emperor stood
grand piano, at which the artist sat down
as soon as the doors of the adjoining room
were opened. The emperor had asked him
TO play several of his favorite melodies and
listened with visible pleasure TO the Ian
guage of sounds which both came from
and went To the heart. The pianist, great
ly moved, had already played several Sc
lections of his own and OF other compost
ton, and each time the emperor sent him
his thanks, with the request TO play more
Again the last chords Of melody had died
sway, when the empress asked, much wor-
ried, Does IL not tire or excite your"
The emperor replied in the negative, and
again he wrote; "Only one more. An
adagio from sonata. II shall be the last "
The master there in the next room, sore
at heart, complied with his dying emper-
or's wish. Again he seated himself at the
piano and played touching adagio.
The emperor listened His eyes became
brighter. He beckoned to the empress
and wrote down in feverish haste: -Four
ty-four years ago played that adagio for
papa's birthday. OF course not as we'll
IL IL from the sharp minor sonata. Very
pretty. Thank Ruefer heartily. Last piece.
Then sleepp'
Alas, Il was really the last melody this
adagiol They We're the last musical sounds
which reached the ears of the dying moi-
arch, the last greetings of the art SO loved
by him-her farewell greetingsl Adagio
slept the sufferer, who endured endless
pain without complaint, over into the
kingdom of eternal ami purest harmong.
Translated For Chicago News by Anne
l. Wauama.