Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-03-06
LUDWIG And ELOISE
BY Eugene Field

Once upon a time there were two
youths, Herman and Ludwig, and they
both loved Eloise, the daughter of the old
burgomaster. Now the old burgomaster
was very rich, and having no child but
Eloise, he was anxious that she should
be well married and settled in life.
Eloise was beloved by many, but she
loved only Herman and Ludwig. She
chose Herman. She chose wisely; for
Herman was young and handsome, and
by his valor had won distinction In the
army, and had thrice been complimented
by the general. So when the brave young
captain led Eloise to the altar there was
great rejoicing in the village.
But in all the village there was one,
aching heart, Ludwig, the young must
clan. He had known EIoise from child
hood and could not say when his love Of
her began. it was so very long ago. Once,
at village festival, he had begun to
speak to her of his love, but Eloise had
placed her hand kindly upon his lips and
told him to say no further, for they had
always been and always would be brother
and sister SO Ludwig never spoke his
love after that.
And now. when Eloise and Herman
received message from rich relative
in distant part of the kingdom bidding
him come thither. and Ludwig went
from the village and was seen there no
more.
When the burgomaster died, all his pos
sessions went to Herman and Eloise, and
they were accounted the richest folk in
the province, and so good and charitable
were they that they were beloved by all.
Meanwhile Herman had risen to great
ness in the army, for by his valorous ex-
ploits he had become a general and he
was much endeared to the king. And
Herman and Eloise lived in great cas-
tie in the midst of beautiful park, and
the people came and paid them reverence
there.
1t came to pass, however, that from
distant province there spread the fame
of musician so great that the king sent
for him to visit the court. No one knew
the musicians name nor whence he
came. for he lived alone and would never
speak Of himself. but his music was so
tender and beautiful that it was called
heart music, and he himself was called
the master. He was old and bowed with
infrmities, but his music was always of
youth and love. 1t touched every heart
with its simplicity and pathos, and all
wondered how this old and broken man
could create so much of tenderness and
sweetness on these themes.
But when the king sent for the master
to come to court the master returned
him answer: mo. l am old and feeble.
To leave my home would weary me until
death. Let me die here as | have lived
these long years, weaving my music for
hearts that need my solaee."
Then the people wondered. But the
ling was not angry. In pity he sent the
master a purse of gold and babe him
come or not come, rs he willed. Such
honor had never before been shown any
subject in the kingdom, and all the people
were dumb with amazement. But the
master gave the purse of gold to the poor
of the village wherein he lived.
In those days Herman died, full of hon
ors and years. and there was great lam
entation In the land. for Herman was
beloved by All, and Eloise wept unceas-
ingly and would not be eomforted.
On the seventh day after Herman had
been buried there came to the castle in
the park an aged and bowed man, who
carried in his white and trembling hands
a violin. His kindly face was deeply
wrinkled. and a venerable beard swept
down upon his breast. He was weary
and footsore, but he needed not the words
of pity bestowed on the way. He knock
ed boldly at the castle gate and demand
ed to be brought into the presence of
Eloise.
And Eloise said: IBID him enter. Per-
chance his music will comfort my break
ing heart"
Then. when tHe old man had come into
her presence. behold. he was the MASTER
aye, the master whose fame was in ev-
cry land, whose heart music was on every
tongue.
III thou art indeed master" said
Eloise. ''let thy music be balm to my
chastened spirit"
The master said. AYE. Eloise. will
comfort thee in thy sorrow, and thy
heart shall be staid, and a great joy will
come to thee"
Then the master drew his bow across
the strings, and, 10, forthwith there arose
such harmonies as Eloise had never
heard before. Gently, persuasiyely. they
stole upon her senses and filled her soul
with an ecstasy of peace.
as it Herman that speaks to me-"
cried Eloise lit is his voice hear. and
It speaks to ME of love. With thy heart
music, o master, all the sweetness of his
life comes back to comfort me!'
The master did not pause. As he played
it seemed as if each tender word and
caress of Herman's life was stealing back
on music's pinions to soothe the wounds
that death had made.
ct is the song of our love life" muir
INJURED Elcise ''How full of memories it
is-what tenderness and harmony-and,
oh. what peace it brings! But tell me,
master, what means this minor chord,
this undertone of sadness and of pathos
that flows like deep, unfathomable cur
rent throughout it all, and, wailing,
weaves itself about thy theme of love and
happiness with its weird and subtle in
fuencer'
Then the master said: at is that
shade Of sorrow and sacrifice. o Eloise,
that ever makes the picture of love more
glorious. An undertone of pathos has
been my part in oil these years to SYM
metrize the love of Herman and Eloise.