Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-01-09

iicient larry is supposed to come down
the chimney laden with various pres
ents and dainties, with which he fills
it.
On the morning Of December 2l,
four of Pagani's feminine critics were
in consultation together.
"It will be for the evening" said
one.
"Yes, for this evening; that is set
tied" replied the others.
After dinner Pagani was, according
to his custom, seated on the drawing.
room sofa, slipping his eau sucree,
when an unusual noise was heard in
the corridor. Presently Vicette en-.
tered and announced that n porter had
arrived with case, directed to Signor
Pagani.
81 do not expect any case" said he,
"but l suppose he had better bring it
up"
Accordingly n stout porter entered,
bearing n good.sized wooden box, on
which, besides the address, were the
words, "Fragile. with care" Pagani
examined it with some curiosity, and,
having paid the messenger, proceeded
to open the lid. His long, thin, but
extremely muscular fingers, accom-
plished the task without difficulty,
and the company, whose curiosity
caused them somewhat to transgress
the boupds of good manners, crowded
around IN order to see the contents OF
the box.
The musician drew out large pac.
ket secured with several seals. Having
opened this, a second, and then third
wrapping appeared, and at last the
curious eyes of twenty persons were
RECALLED with n gigantic wooden shoe,
almost large enough to serve for II
cradle. Peals of laughter hailed this
discovery.
"Ah Il" said Pagnni, "a wooden shoe.
I can guess who sent it. Some OF
these excellent ladies wish to compare
me to a child who always expects pres
cnts and never gives any. Well, be it
20. We will see if we cannot find
some method OF making this shoe
worth its weight in gold"
So saying, and scarcely saluting the
company, Pagani withdrew to his own
apartment, carrying with him the case
and its contents.
During three days he did not appear
in the drawing room. Vicette IN
formed the company that he worked
from morning till night with the tools
of the carpenter. In fact, the musi.
clan, whose hands were wonderfully
flexible and dextrous in other things
beside violin playing, had fashioned q
perfect and sonorous instrument out
of the clumsy wooden shoe. Having
enriched it with ono silver string, his
work was complete. Next day pub
lie notice appeared that on New Years
Eve Pagaui would give concert in the
large hall of the Villa Lutetanea. The
great master announced that he would
play ten pieces, five on q violin, and
five on q wooden shoe. The price Of
the tickets was placed at twenty francs
each. OF these only 100 were issued
and they were Immediately purchased.
The evening arrived and Pagani ap.
pcared. smiling. with every appear
ance of renewed health, and on his
favorite violin played some OF those
marvellous strains which never failed
to transport his auditors to the sew
enth heaven OF delight. Then he selzed
the shoe, which in its new guise OF
violin still preserved somewhat of it's
pristine form, and his whole being
lighted up with enthusiasm, he began
q wondrous improvisation which cap.
tivated the souls OF his hearers. 1t
represented first the departure OF a
conscript, the tears, the wai:ing OF his
betrothed, then hi, stormy life in the
camp and on the field OF battle, and
his return, accompanied by triumph
and rejoicing. A merry peal Of we'd.
ding bells completed the musical
drama.
Long and loud wero the thunders OF
applause; even the old ladies who dis
liked Pagani could not refrain from
clapping their palms, and bouquets
thrown by fair and jeweled hands fell
at the feet OF the musician. In a
corne. OF tho hall next the door,
Viccttc was weeping bitterly. The
sympathy of the conscript had gone
straight to her heart.
At the conclusion of the concert the
receipts were counted and they
amounted to two thousand francs.
"Here, Vicette," said Pagani. "You
have five hundred francs over the
sum required to purchase substitute.
They will pay your bridegroom's trav-
cling expenses"
Then alter pause he continued :
"But you will want something where
with to begin housekeeping. Take
this shoe violin, and sell it for your
dowry."
Vlcette received from rich ANA.
tour six thousand francs for Paganl's
wooden shoe.
Th, violin 10 to day in tho posses.
sion of the Marquis of Duiferiu and
Avn. .-Detriot Free Press.