The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1895-04-13
THE FIRST AND LAST.
THE EMPEROR FREDERICK AND scAu-
MANN'S AoAGlo.

His Fathsr's Birthday-Forty-four Year,
Dying Emperor.
1t was the year ls4&. Prince Frederick
was then in his tn irteenth year. The mu-
sic lesson had just ended. and the princes
master, Reichardt. the composer Of our
beautiful patriotic song, "Was LIST Des
Deutschen Vaterland," was about to de-
part, when the young prince detained him.
"Mr. Nichar,lt. said he, with his sym-
pathetic, melodious voice, "papa's birth
day will soon be heron March 23. DIR.
Curtius thought it would DO very nice for
me to practice something especially Tor the
occasion. Would you be kind enough to
select something appropriate! But 1t must
be something quite difficult, so that papa
will see that have taken great pains, and
he will be well pleased. Papa prefers the
tender. pathetic melodies"--
"Then, your highness, one would have
to take some pretty adagio. HIM, HIM"
replied Reichardt, and he searched among
the music portfolio to find something ap-
propriate. Finally he held one sheet Of
music in his hand longer than the rest and
examined it.
.Would that do, Mr.. Reicharits'
"Your highness. we have not yet come
to that. The thing Is too difficult. 1t is
the adagio from Schumann's + sharp mi
nor sonata. 1t will not do. Besides, the
time between now and his majesty's birth
day Is too short"
"Oh, Mr.. Reichardt," replied the prince
coaxingly, ~ will be very diligenti Please,
pleased 1t will dot must dol And, add
ed the little prince merrily, 'if it will not
go 'adagio' it shall go 'forter Papa always
says that to me"
Accordingly the difficult adagio was
practiced, after all, and cost great deal of
diligence, application and patience. On
March % the young prince surprised his
royal father with an execution Of the love
ly composition, and indeed he played it
with wonderful firmness and great expires
sion. For this manifestation OF his ex-
zeal his favorits wish was re-
allied. Papa made him the present OF a
real, completely furnished carpenter shop,
for. as is well known. the prince learned
the carpenters trade besides book binding
and typesetting.
Forty four years later.
~ was III tue year OF mourning, tSSs.
The imposing Castle Friedrichskron. call
Ell so Immediately after Emperor Frrler-
lex 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.
All,
Alas, no, For in one OF the apartments
Of the lower floor lay. with pale face, on a
raised couch, a man OF whom a
short time before could still have been
said what Chiron said Of Achilles, How.
ever hard scnlptors worked on him. he new
tr appeared as grand "a he was in reality"
1t was the noble Emperor Frederick,
stricken by most cruel fate, the sufferer
70 resigned to his lot. The eyes, formerly
70 clear, blue and sunny, created to see
The sun OF beauty and to absorb the radi-
ance thereof as well as to give forth all
hat Is beautiful, grand, good and noble |
~ man spirit and heart, looked YEARLY
n front OF him. Only occasionally, when
hey lifted themselves to look through the |
open window far into the main drive
which leads through the royal gardens and |
terminates here at the castle, more radi- |
,nce and cheerfulness filed his eyes, and |
he gaze into the ocean Of vertur.. In
" A4SA VIC statufS -nDHs mere anu there |
eemed To battle itself In the enchanting |
,eauty Of nature
The empress entered She tried to m |
'ear very hopeful and cheerful and seated |
herself beside the couch of her dearly be-
owed husband. Just as the fields outside,
o the royal patients countenance wa,
uddenIy overcast with sunshine. II. |
miled at his faithful wife, and by gently
IL hnn a.
eemed to say how glad he felt to see the
'eautiful weather. Toward the last the
ufferer, who could no longer speak. pre-
erred to make himself understood by
means OF signs, and the imperial family |
8 well as the rest who were In attend
nee had acquired such practice In tn.
Interpretation Of these signs that the EN-.
error could dispense almost entirely with
be troublesome writing on tablets.
The empress asked her noble husband II
% had any particular wish, and after a
ause he made his fingers move as II he
Tere playing the piano.
who shall play" asked the empress.
nd added anxiously, "And would il not
xcite you too much"
. wrote on his tablet:
|
ould not Ruefer. Victoria's teacher.
omep"
VI shall send for him" replied the en-
ress. "He Is over ut the Bornsted,er
hurch just at present and Is giving her
D organ lesson
The empress then gave the order. and
ward half past II O'Clock the artist and
'mposer Of the merlin" appeared to an
yer the honored call In the apartment.
ijoinin9 that OF the emperor stood a
rand piano, at which the artist sat down
soon as the doors OF the adjoining room
ere opened. The emperor had asked him
play several OF his IN vorite melodies and
stoned with visible pleasure to the Ian
nage Of sounds which both came from
nd went to the heart. The pianist, great
moved, had already played several No.
cttons OF his own and Of other comrosi
On, and each time the emperor sent him
Is thanks, with the request to play more.
gain the last chords Of melody had died :
way. when the empress asked, much wor. ,
ed, Does 1t not tire or excite your"
The emperor replied Ia the negative. and
.ain he wrote: "Only one more. An
iagio from sonata. II shall be the last. 3"
The master there in the next room. sore I
heart, complied with his dying emper
3 wish. Again he seated himself at the
ano and played touching adagio.
The emperor listened. His eyes became
lighter. He beckoned to the empress
ID wrote down In feverish haste: -Four
four years ago played that adaRio for
pas birthday. OF course not as well.
II from the + sharp minor sonata. Very
city. Thank Ruefer heartily. Last piece.
zen sleepp'
Alas, 1t was really the last melody, this
agio! They were the last musical sounds
hich reached the ears Of the dying mon.
Oh, the last greetings Of the art 90 loved
him-her farewell greetingsl Adasio
ut the snfYerer ,xhn a.,d...xI --li