Rossini and His Watch
The famous composer possessed a magnificent watch that his king had presented to him. It was a repeater and also a musical watch, for it played the maestro’s prayer from “Moses in Egypt.” But not until after he had owned it for six years, did he understand it fully. Rossini took a boyish delight in showing it and making it play, and one day he did so while in a café.
A stranger who sat near was attracted by the music, and just as Rossini was going to put it back in his pocket, he stepped up to him and said: “You have a very valuable watch there, sir, but I’ll wager that you do not know all its capabilities.”
Rossini, much surprised said: “I have carried it now for six years, in honor of my king. It has never varied one minute, it repeats the hour, quarter-hour, tells the minutes and the day of the month, and plays as you have just heard, the prayer from ‘Moses.’”
“And yet, I insist,” said the stranger smilingly, “that you do not know your watch wholly. I’ll wager anything you like,—your watch against ten thousand francs!”
“Oh, well, if you have ten thousand francs too many, I’ll take the bet,” cried Rossini; “but now give me the proof of your assertion.”
“Very well,—the watch plays another piece of yours, master, and contains your portrait besides.”
Speechless, Rossini saw that when the stranger touched a spring a lid flew back, disclosing his portrait, while at the same time it played “Di Tanti Palpiti” from “Tancred.”
“Good gracious!” he exclaimed, looking at his lost watch, “it is true, you have won the wager; but how could I know?”
The stranger, laughing heartily, handed him back his treasure saying:
“I am the maker of this watch, Michel Plivée. The wager was made in fun, but I am delighted, that you, the great maestro, take such pleasure in my work.”