The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-09
IL.
DEATH FOLLOWS ITS LOSS.

OATTI was singing I'm New York. in con
i certs, early in 1884 and with her was
her husband Signor Nicollnl, famous
as tenor. A vioilinist of no small
culture. the tenor was on the look
out for any rare instrument he might add
70 his collection. This was known to
Edward Mollenhauer. violinist OF note,
VINO for many years had been a close
friend of professor Rott. so II was
that one day, when the old man was more
mournful than usual. and again recalled
the fact that he would sell his prize n
he was sure that II would fall into care
full hands. Mcllenhauer said:
why don't you sell Il TO Nirolinir'
The old man was struck with the idea
At his direction Mollenhauer introduced
him to Victor s. Flechter. connoisseur
and dealer In musical Instruments inUnion
square. who was to conduct the negotia-
tons Day after day Bot called on the
dealer; II was hard for him to nerve him
self up 20 the point where he could part
from the Sirad no matter at what price.
But these talks familiarized him with the
sad truth that part from 1t he must
and one day he said:
II am ready to SELL
VERY we'll" said Fiech'er. You bring
the violin here tomorrow. and ! will take
II to the Windsor hotel, so that Nicoiini
may try H.
The old man was speechiess. Let the
violin go out OF his possession even for
few hours! The dealer might better have
asked him TO cut on an arm. He refused
emphaticaliy.
mot until It is bought from me-" said
he. will II leave my hands. III Nicolini
wants TO hear the fiddle. let him come to
my house r shall not allow II to CO.
Nothing could dissuade him. and Flech-
ter agreed to humor his within. The next
day he and NIcolni and few close
So.
first street where MFR. and Mrs. Hott liv-
ed. when they were seated in the parlor
the old man left them for minute: when
he returned ne held the RED StraA" hug
ged tightly to his bosom. At Nicolinfs
request he raised II to his chin. and the
next instant II seemed as II his very soul
were sobbing itself away In the mourn
full strains Of touching sweetness which
he drew from the instrument.
Nicolini was enraptured, and after he
himself had tested the violin he declared
II was the greatest example OF the work
OF stradivarlus he ever had heard
what Is your price?" he asked OF Prof.
Bot.
Five thousand dollars was his reply.
There was little discussion. ending by
the tenor agreeing to pay $3.50. provided
Nine Patti would consent after she had
seen and heard the wonderful tones OF the
violin.
The following day, ms agreed upon, the
old man presented himself at the Windsor
hotel the violin. In its rosewood case. car
ried tenaerly under his arm. Patti was
charmed when her husband played on II.
She consented at once that the price fixed
should be paid. She sat down at her desk
and wrote a check for the amount and
proffered II to the old man. But he drew
back.
II paid for II In gold" he said. II
will part with u only for gold"
II was Good Friday and the banks were
closed. The proprietor OF the hotel. APP
peaisd 10, said he did not have much
ready cash, but he readily agreed to in
dorse the check and see that the cash was
Forthcoming the next day. Hut the old
man would have none OF this, and the
result was that he trudged home. the
violin still his. and Rugged and kissed the
RED strad" when he was In his own
room once more.
The next morning Patti and Nicoiini
sailed for Europe. The last word the ten
or was heard to say was 60 F'leehtor. who
had gone 10 the pier 20 bid them farewell;
BE sure 10 send that Strad to me as
soon as you can"
A week later. on March n. Prof. Bott
md his wife went 20 Hoboken 20 pass the
aay with friends. TheX had not been out
of the house half an hour when car
rage stopped In front of the door. In n
were two men, enc ~ whom jumped out,
ran up the steps and rang the bell.
~ want 60 see Prof. Rott." he said TO
the maid who opened the door.
The first thing the professor dii on re-
turning home was 90 go 70 the closet
whore ne kept the vi0iin A piercing
shrek brought his wife running 10 him.