The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-24
THE SAD LITTLE ROMANCE
OF A FAMOUS COMPOSER.
He Died Homeless and Without Friends, Ex-
oept a Beautiful Southern Girl.
HOW HE WROTE "MY rosary
His. Fair Young. Pupil and Friend Linked with
the Memory of the Girl He Once
Loved Inspired Him.

fell to the floor lie awoke on the ceucn
and felt the touch of q gentle hand upon
his brow. he seemed to realize that the
end was drawing near and his eyes filled
with tears as he gazed upon the young
girl II Il friend like the one beside MIN
could do SO much for an old man, what
would love have been in his younger
days2 She had been so kind to him and
he owed SO much to the tender words ana
gentle deeds. He seemed to be thinking
of the past as he looked 1nto hcr eyes
and began to talk.
my ROSARY"
your name is Rosa. 1t is sweet
name You are my friend, you-you-are
nv Rosa Then a sudden light came
into the old mans eyes and he sprang
from the couch. My Rosa"' he eHclaim-
cd my Rosary / will write song
and it shall be called that for YOU The
gray-haired musician faltered minute
and then added in q pathetic voice, and
l fear it will be my last
1t was then that one Of the sweetest
songs ever written was born. He was
cnthused with the inspiration and. al
most too sick to stand alone, went to his
studio There, all night long, by the light
of an oil lamp. he toiled at the piano.
putting his emotions into music.
BY daylight it was finished. lie MADE
a copy and carried it to her to try He
never PLAYED an accompaniment as he
did that morning and she sang the song
as it has never been sung since. A week
later she sang it in a concert and II
caught the public ear like a WhlrlWlnd
until to-day it is being sung from ocean
to ocean. But the musician never recoE-
cred from the shock. He took to his bed
and gradually the eyes dimmed until last
week they closed forever. During his
illness almost every morning there was
a bunch of roses beside his bed that
had been gathered by the fair southern
girl and often she woa1d drop in Tor a
minute to cheer him up and bring some
delicacy which she had prepared with her
own hands to tempt his appetite. 1t was
she who sat beside his bed and cooled
his brow as the last light III MS eyes
died away.
HIS SWEETHEART IN AMERICA.
About thirty-five Years ago. when a
young German musician, he and his
brid.-to- had lovers quarrel and sep
arated. In after years she repented and
came to this country to join him. but
fate prevented them from ever seeing or
hearing of each other again, though
years We're spent in searching. On his
death-bed he made the request that some
effort be made to inform the sweetheart
of his youth of his death. She is thought
to be in America.
The funeral took place at the church
which he had served as orGaniSt. 1t was
an unusually solemn occasion. Just as
the minister finished his discourse a
beautiful sunny-faced girl stepped to the
chancel rail and began the tender, sweet
strains of melody to the soft accom-
paniment Of the great organ MY Rosa
ry'' was the singer and the song was the
same The dead composer lay at her
feet The audience was as still as death,
and as the last notes Of the pure, sweet
voice died away, many eyes were filled
with tears. The remains were laid away
in Greenwood. and on the red earth of
the new-made mound the same girlsh
figure placed a large bunch OF southern
roses.