Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1884 — He Clung to His ’Cello. [ARTICLE]

He Clung to His ’Cello.

Charles Beade tells one tale of the romance of fiddle-dealing which is charming. There was a certain precious violoncello at Madrid. It was a genuine Straduarius. The local maker, one Orteago, had put in a new belly and sold it, keeping the old belly in his shop. M. Chanot, the best judge of violins left, now Tarisio is gone, lighted upon the old belly and bought it. Tarisio then discovered it, and pestered Chanot until he sold it for 1,000 francs, and told him where the remainder of the fiddle was to be found. The owner was persuaded to part with it for 4,000 francs, and Tarisio sailed exultant to Paris with the Spanish bass in a case. He never left it out of his sight* The pair were caught by a storm in the Bay of Biscay. The ship rolled; Tarisio clasped his bass tight and trembled. It was a terrible gale, and for one whole day they were in great danger. Tarisio spoke of it to me with a shudder. I will give you his real words, for they struck me at the time, and I have very often thought of them: “Ah, my poor Mr. Beade, the bass of Spain was all but lost!” —Musical World.