Siegfried's Crown; A Tale of Artist Life (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER X. HIS GUARDIAN ANGEL. HE following morning, Siegfried was summoned to the Palace, to receive from the hands of the Emperor a decoration. 'You moved me, Herr Rosenkrantz, the other night, as even music rarely moves me. You are, indeed, a true, true artist.' Marietta was so proud of her darling's decoration, and of the kindly words, so simply yet so fervently spoken, by the grand old Kaiser. Siegfried's heart is full of other matters. In the evening, he was to visit his grandmother's grave, and to give a concert in the village school-room to the friends of his childhood, --those to whom he had nodded his 'good mornings' as he lay out beneath the trees, day-dreaming, --those whose burdens he had helped to carry, --those who had loved and aided him and his dear old granny in the days when sickness brought a poverty that was literal want. And now he would play for them and for their little children, and tell them thus how he loved them still, and never forgot the bygone time, when they were good to little hungry Siegfried and to the aged woman who lay crippled and suffering in the humble home. The evening comes, and Marietta and her boy walk slowly up the room to the little improvised platform. Hans has been busy all day, getting a piano conveyed from Schlangenbad, and helping the villagers to deck the room with shining garlands. That room is filled now to overflowing; and, at the open windows, are massed those who could not find even standing room within. Siegfried had said, 'Let us walk from the grave to the schoolroom, and get in quietly, without being seen.' But the people had found them out long before they reached the door, had followed them, had cheered them, and now as they walk up the room, the progress is a slow one, --so many hands clasp his, s...