The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-28
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WON DERFUL BOY VIOLINIST.

FIorizel Reuter- halls from Davenport,
la He is only nine years old, yet such
wondrously touching. soul-strring music
does he wiring from a three-auarter-size
violin, that the greatest musicians OF Eu-
rope sit spellbound when he draws his
little bow across the strings.
Everywhere audiences MI his arms with
palm branches, crown his long golden
curls with laurel, and hll his pockets with
boxes Of candy. Sometime. Florizel does
not know what 10 do with the palm and
laurel. but he always finds a place for the
candy, The first toy Florizel ever had
was a tiny violin, given him when he
was three years old. When not playing
with the children In the neighborhood of
his western home. he had great fun MAX
ing the tiny violin talk. They grew 10 be
fast friends and when Florizel was six
years old, so amazing was the ease and
expression with which he played the most
difficult violin music that his proud moth
er took him TO Chicago. Florizel never
went 10 school like other boys, but
studied at home with his mother
lie never forgets anything that he reads
or hesrs Books or stories that YOU or
any other boy or girl might study for
months or hear repeated every day and
forget in year. Florizel can repeat
word for word after one reading one
recitation All the fairies seem to have
been present at FlorizeIs birth For not
only is his mind stored with wonderful
gifts but his body is strong and supple.
One day three OF the worlds greatest vio-
lin players happened 10 be in Chicago.
and Florizel was brought 10 play before
them. They were astonished.
"He IS a wonderV cried Ysaye. and
| predict for him brilliant career" But
Florizel and his mother were poor. and
his father a gifted voliaist, had gone
away and left them when FloriZel was
little baby How could the little boy
study with great masters when he or his
! devoted mother had no money?
The fairies who hovered around Flor
izers cradle did not desert him. They
sent a godmother I'm the guise OF the gen
tie wife OF the secretary OF the United
| states treasury. Mrs Lyman Gage. Two
years ago when FloriZel was seven Mrs.
Gage sent FloriZel 10 Europe TO study
with Henri Marteau, head OF the violin
school I'm the conservatory OF music at
Geneva Switzerland. Before they sailed
| Florizel played before President and Mrs.
| Mckinley I'm the red room OF the White
House. FloriZel was dressed as page OF
the first empire. in white velvet trunks,
white silk stockings and slippers. fuil em-
broidered vest and loose coat OF brocade.
When The president entered the room
with Mrs Mckinley on his arm. Florizel
|, with courtly dignity made a low bow TO
| the president. then dropping upon his
| knees he raised 10 his lips the hand Of
| Mrs Mckinley. who rewarded him by
| taking him into her arms and giving him
| q good kiss Florizel had not been long
| abroad when his fairy godmother died
| and her husband. the secretary of the
treasury. knowing how she loved the boy
has continued 10 pay for Florizels violin
| lessons
And hs has been richly rewarded. for
! ITlorizeIs master declares that he has
\ the most marvellous violin talent he ever
/ heard He now plays "a caprices or PaE-
| anini by heart a thing that only one
\ violin master ~ the world was ever
/ known 20 DO Last spring al his first
| public concert In switzerland. the entire
| orchestra spang from their seats
ON 10 the stage when FloriEel
had finished the Paga-ini solo and en-
| brsced him. PaEsnini was the greatest
| Violinist that ever lived Ills music was
J 80 difficult that IL he now hardly ever
, heard on concert programs but Ficriyei
1 plavs N as easily as YOU might piay r1rr-
! bies or tennis. Florizel sometimes nrn-
| tends n. Is ore ~ tho heroes of war-
/ ner opera lie knows the text of All wsg-
| ner's operas hy heart He will take =
| curtain from window or door. piece ~
| Ora pery from the rnantel, and. wrapping
| n about him. like a toEa. will grasp an
| old sword. and fourishing ~. plays the
| psrt Of sisgfried forging The magic sword
| Fiorlzel has = little blackboard IN his
| study ~ Geneva Much ~ his time Is
srent 81 a. not adding sums or making
multiplication tables but composing orle.
| inai music
-eI- occupied q room on The same floor
| with Florizei" said = gentleman 90 me-
vho spent ths summer ~ switzerland.
| zone dsy his mother went sishtseeing
ard left Florizsi ~ practice. For Ions
time there vas deadly sllencs. then the
| door opered. and ir walked Florizel vio-
lin updsr his arm and sheet of music In
| hand.
| ~ have composed a csdenza for ny
| corrs-to.f te said "NVould YOU ike 20 Re
1 the fret 10 hear it7
| n should indeed was my reply.
when he had finished plsyins the com