Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, may take heart again.
Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
2. MOZART, MUSICIAN
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the greatest musicians and composers that ever lived, was born in Salzburg, Germany, January 27, 1756. His father was a famous violinist. At the age of three little Wolfgang loved to hear the playing of his sister Maria, who was just five years older. At four he was able to play minuets and compose little pieces. At five he played in public, and at six composed a difficult concerto for a full orchestra. One day before he was seven, his father was walking in the country with him when they came to a great church which contained the largest organ Wolfgang had ever seen. “Father, let me play it,” he said. Well pleased, his father began to blow the bellows. Wolfgang pushed aside the high stool, stood upon the pedals, and began playing. Softly at first the deep tones rose, awakening the stillness of the old church, and then the strains swelled louder and louder until all who heard marveled that a young child could play such wonderful music. No wonder the father was proud of his two children. No wonder the palaces of Europe were opened to them and that they were petted, admired, and loaded with caresses and presents. The little boy’s charming appearance and cheerful disposition endeared him to all. So innocent and natural was his manner that at Vienna he sprang up into the Empress’s lap and kissed her heartily. In another place when he slipped upon the polished floor, Marie Antoinette lifted him up, and he said, “You are very kind. When I grow up I will marry you.” He always loved his father, and was always gentle and obedient, saying, “Next after God is my father.” Though so modest, he played without fear before kings.