The following story proves what a noble, generous man Haydn was. In 1780 the daughter of an army officer from Coburg wrote to him of a little adventure, asking him to set it to music. This is the story: She and her intended husband, a captain of the army, together with a friend and a poodle were taking a walk. The captain had been praising his dog’s talents, and made a bet with his friend that the dog would find a thaler laid under a bush now, he being sent back for it after their return home. The bet was accepted. Directly after returning home the captain sent his dog back for the money. Now it so happened that a traveling tailor sat down to rest under that very bush where the thaler was deposited, found the money and put it in his pocket. When the poodle arrived he smelled the coin and fawned upon the tailor. The man, highly pleased at having found a thaler and such an amiable dog within an hour, took him to his stopping place in the town. The poodle watched the tailor’s clothes all night, and when, early the next morning, the door of the room was opened, he stole out, carrying the tailor’s trousers with him and brought both them and the thaler to his master. This little adventure had been put into verse under the title: “The Cunning and Serviceable Poodle,” and Haydn was asked now to put the text to music. The lady added that she was poor, but having heard so much of his generosity, she hoped the enclosed ducat would be considered sufficient pay. Haydn went to work at it at once, but returned the ducat to the young lady in a letter, saying that as a punishment for not knowing him better, and sending any money at all, she should knit him a pair of garters. These garters, made of white silk with a hand-painted wreath of violets, Haydn kept with his jewels in his treasure box. Franz Schubert For years Schubert could not find a publisher for even his most famous compositions, such as the “Erlkoenig,” for instance. In 1823 some friends and patrons published, at their own expense, the first twelve books of songs—the same books that afterwards were to be found all over the world and brought him thousands. Schubert’s Facility Schubert composed his songs with amazing facility. He composed his charming “Serenade” on the window sill of a country tavern in less than an hour. He was there on an excursion with a party of gay friends, who were clamoring for something new. As soon as he had finished, they sang it to the delight of all who were fortunate enough to be within hearing distance. Orpheus and His Followers Several young wags were making fun of a musician, and said, among other things, that he played like Orpheus. “Very true,” said the musician, “I, too, seem to have a following of beasts.” Carpenter and Weber Some time ago I asked B, my carpenter, why he was so downhearted. “Well,” said he, “you know, sir, that my son Franz was to have been a carpenter. He showed a good deal of talent for it, but now it’s all over.”