Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-08-17
ANEcDOTAl LITERATURE.
Gathered and Compiled by w. G.
OLE BULL.

Gathered and Compiled by W. G.
OLE BULL.
Perhaps there is 70 curiosity more
natural and universal than the de-
sire to know all we can Of those who,
by any uncommon gifts, have the
power of extensively influencing or
exciting the minds of their fellow
men. What charm there is about
even the most trifling auecdote of
Mozart! Ole Bull seems to have
been almost as precocious in-his mu-
steal genius. His family being all
amateurs, he was accustomed from
infancy to hear a great deal of mu-
sic. A maternal uncle, in particular
was passionately fond of this diyin-
est of arts. He had choice collec-
ton of rare and curious instruments,
had musical clubs very frequently
at his house, and himself played we'll
on the yiolincello. He delighted to
amuse himself with little Ole's ex-
IRENE susceptibility to sound. When
Ole was three years old, he often put
him in the violincello case, and hired
| him with sweetmeats to stand there
while he played. The candy would
keep him quiet few minutes, but
soon the little feet began to beat
time, and the eager eyes kindled
more and more. At last his nervous
excitement would become 80 great,
that he could not stay in the case !;
be must come out the music was
dancing all through him, and he was
crazy to give it utterarce. Already
the spirit spoke within him, which
led Carnegie to say, II too am q
painter"
When the child returned home, he
would seize the yard measure, and,
with small stick for bow, initiate
what his uncle had played. He heard
it with the inward ear all the while.
But as his parents were not so per-
suaded with the tune as he was, he
would explain his movements as he
went along. telling how beautiful the
bass came in at such a place. At 5
years of age, his uncle bought him a
violin /; a very neat one, as yellow as
a lemon. He says he was never lift
ed quite so high above the earth as
he was when he fist drew the bow
across that little yellow violin. To
the surprise of his family he imme-
diately played well upon it, though
he had never received any instruc-
ton. He had not even been taught
to read music by the usual process.
But he had always been present at
family concerts and quartet clubs,
and as the musicians played, lie OBJ
served the written notes till they be.
came as familiar as household words.
And now, with his little, yellow vic
lin, he played a quartet of PleYels
to the assembled club, who looked
at each other with astonlshment and
exclaimed, "Why, who has taught
the child?"
At 10 years of age, foreign mu-
sic master urged the necessity of
teaching the boy according to rule.
The father consented, and the child
made trial of the mechanical method.
He was told that he must handle the
bow differently, hold his violin quite
otherwise, leave off improvising, and
practice by note. But nothing came
to him thus; life seemed to go out
of him; he could not play. Father
and teacher coaxed and reproved, till
the sensitive child, in his agony cried
bitterly. His genius would not go
into the straight jacket. 1t was
worse than Harvesting Pegasus into
a stage coach. The boy had his way
and music continued to come to him
without aid from the drill sergeant
of sound. The result we know.
Those who think stricter cduea-
tion would have made a more thor
oughly correct performer, are little
aware how much would have been
lost to them, had this strong and
fluent nature been enveloped by a
process less free.
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