Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-28
Julien and the Yorkshireman.

1t was the middle of j July, 1853, when all Lon
don was stirred by the grand ovation which had
just come off in honor of the Lion Concert
Giyer,n that tall, raw-boned man might have
been seen walking down one of the narrow
streets of that foggy metropolis, alternately
humming to himself little snatches of melody,
and stopping to gaze at the signs over the
store doors. Pretty soon he came to the music
store Of Cramer, Beale & Chapple, and strobe
heavily in, the large nails in the bottom This
shoes making music lin that part of the town."
"Hallo, num- said he, in the broad York
shire dialect, to tradesman behind the counter,
who was intenty examining new and beauti-
full engraving that was designed as a frontis-
piece to Jullien's last polka, "con ye tell me
il Measther Julien's in?i
"No, he is not, sir. He left about half
an hour since" said Mr.. Chapple, (for he was
the one addressed and as he replied, he raised
his eyes from the design, and scanned the rough
looking person who stood before him. Hewas
coarsely clad, man Of brawny limb, with
complexion Of that particular ashy color,
slightly begrimmed with coal, which indicated
that he had toiled for years beyond the light
and warmth of the sun.
"Wull zee be in again to-day2'' inquired the
Iorkshireman.
"No, he will not, not before tomorrow. Did
you wish to see him?"
"Wull, ya'as, aw wood loike to- said he,
hesitatingly. "They talk summit about ees
gooin' to America, (" he continued.
Yes, he sails next week but how does that
interest you ?" said Mr.. Chapple, who began to
be curions about the motive that could prompt
such rough-looking customer to see the man
of immaculate white kids and irreproachable
vest.
"Td loike to ga over wi um, was the reply
,La ~ ~, ~ A ~, ar;co ,,,fI, hin, PRAY :
what good could you do him p said Mr.. Chap
pie, with an expression as near contempt as
was consistent with good breeding.
"Wull, aw think aw Good do 'um good deal
o good, said he, with knowing twinkle Of the
eye.
"How? You certainly do not look like
musician
"Wull, as to looks, that's nowhere here nor
there but aw blaw t ophicleide sum-they say
at whoam, betther than ony nun in t coonty."
"Ah, indeed. What's your business ?"
(" Aw works in the cooal moine.'
eyes; well how much do you earn week?"
"About sixteen shillin'. And then, too, aw
beloang to brass bond, and we max summit
BY glen yam or twa concerts week.
g think, sir, that Mr.. Julien has engaged
all the help he wants, and will not require your
services and the music Publisher, having sat
isfied his curiosity turned away to his business,
if he had already spent too much time to little
purpose.
The Yorkshireman awkwardly scratched his
head and stood for moment, as if undecided
what to do, but at length took few steps to-
wards the end Of the counter, and peering over
a pile Of sheet music, behind which Mr.. Chap
pie had taken refuge, said to him:
Perhaps ye moight jas loike to hear me
play bit Gin yell gi' me an instrument,
anvil show ye what aw con do
The request was so good naturedly made,
that Mr.. Chapple could hardly refuse; so he
led him up stairs and gave him an old ophi-
cleide, which, after a moments inspection, he
threw down, jocosely exclaiming:
/" Gang ava wi yer owd brass Coon, nun,
gle us a good un.'
Chapple obligingly complied. The York
s,lireman took the piece Of shining metal in his
huge hands, that were hardened, cracked and
blackened with toll, and raising it to his lips,
played egato air with such purity of tone
and beauty of expression, that it was hard to
tell which emotion was strongest in the mind
of the listener, surprise or delight
"But all this may be by rote, thought Chap
pie. "Here, let me hear you play that" said
he, as he placed before him a new and very
difficult solo for the ophicleide.
The Yorkshireman glanced it once through,
and astonished his listener by executing it with
marvellous accuracy, clapping the climax by
improvising ford and appropriate cadenza.
"Zoundsl Y said Chapple, Monsieur Julien
ns,lst hear you. Call tomorrow noon, and
he'll be here"
aye thoaght aw dint play ony, Ell ?" said
the performer as he strobe out of the room;
and he gave vent to a broad guffaw as he
tramped down stairs.
The next day at the appointed hour, Julien,
with his publisher and the Yorkshire ophicled.
ist, was in that same upper room. Julien,
after hearing him play, was in extacies, which
he endeavored to express in half dozen dit.
ferent languages.
Bravo" he shouted, rubbing his hands.
..Capital! C'es ertraordiaaire. Mr.. Chapple,
we must have him. Hire him, hire him at
once, and give him FIVE pounds a week"
Five pounds week u exclaimed Mr. Chap
pie. "Why, he'll be glad to go for one-quarter
Of the money"
ssNever mind that, said Julien, "neyer mind
that, hire him, and give him five pounds ($25)
q week. He's worth it.
On the northeast side of the orchestra, gentle
reader, away back upon the highest platform,
you will see, if you attend Jullien's concerts at
Castle Garden, this same raw-boned Yorkshire
man. He is better clad now; his countenance
wears healthier hue; and, our word for it,
you will hear no provincial brogue in the tones
of his ophicleide.
Musical RerieW and Choral Adrocate.
-@-----------------