Scan 44
Famous Violinists and Fine Violins: Historical Notes, Anecdotes, and …, 1896
10 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1extraordinary effects upon it. Whilst he was quite absorbed in his playing, a small crowd had gathered round, unperceived by him, and every one was listening with curiosity to this eccentric performance. Perhaps some of the listeners may have recognised the features of the well-known virtuoso. Anyhow, Langlé seized upon the opportunity for passing round the old man's hat, and collected quite a decent number of coins, which were handed to the astonished beggar, whilst Viotti got out his purse to buy the violin for twenty francs.
3"Stay a moment," said the blind man, recovering a little from his surprise. "Just now I said I would sell the violin for twenty francs, but I did not know it was so good. I ought to have at least the double for it."
5Viotti had never received a more genuine compliment in his life, and he did not hesitate to give the old man two gold pieces instead of one. He then walked off with the tin-plate violin under his arm.
7He had scarcely gone fifty yards before he felt some one pulling at his sleeve. It was a young workman, who, touching his hat respectfully, said, "Sir, you have paid too dear for that violin; and if you are an amateur, as it was I who made it, I can supply you with as many as you like at six francs each."
9This was Eustache; he had just come in time
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