74.—HÄNDEL'S ESCAPE.
In the early days Handel learned that the post of organist at Lübeck was vacant, and went on foot to that town to make application for the place. But he found an unusual stipulation attached to the vacancy. Whoever obtained the position was required to marry the deceased organist's daughter. Händel immediately retraced his steps without making application. Had the girl been prettier and Händel's pocketbook heavier, the result might have been different and his whole career changed—for the worse.
The musical world should be thankful that this young German musician was not attracted by the flaxen-haired daughter of that old organist. Had it been otherwise, Händel might have settled down to an honorable obscurity in that ancient German town and been diverted from that wonderful career of composition which has left the world so much his debtor.