154.—ART BEFORE BUSINESS.
Beethoven was accustomed to spend the summer months in the country; and there, in the open air, in the woods and fields, his genius seemed to have the freest fancy. He once took lodgings in the village of Modling, that he might enjoy the beautiful scenery of that neighborhood. A four-horse luggage wagon was to transport his furniture and music, and it was piled high with the composer's lares et penates.
Beethoven walked on before. But no sooner were they outside of the city than the beauties of nature awoke his creative spirit, and he became oblivious of the reason of the journey. Musical ideas crowded thick upon him; he jotted them down, selected and arranged them, and all the while the wagon and its contents were forgotten. Finally, he bethought himself of his goods and hastened to his journey's end.
When he arrived there, tired and dusty, he found his belongings scattered around the market place. The driver of the caravan had arrived at his journey's end, and, after awaiting his employer for two hours, had dumped down his freight in the market place and returned home. It is needless to say that Beethoven had paid the man in advance for his services, or he would not have left in such a hurry. Of course, Beethoven was angry at this state of affairs, but he soon saw the ludicrous side of the matter, and securing help, was able to get his goqds under cover by midnight.