Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-11-12
From The Neo York Musical World and Times.
A COUNTRY SINGING MASTERS
First Visit 10 New York.
MR. p,LEINs PUTS UP AT THE "ASToR,"
AND IS HIGHLY DISSATISFIED
,.-H THEREWITH!

ducements TOR persons 10 subscr'oe lo'
the New York Musical World ant
| Times" IA tedious job, by the way, a
they are SO numerous,) man entered
\ our sancsum, helped himself to scat
leaned back in his chair, rested his fee
on our table, looked US square in thu
eve, and asked our name. We gave it
without a moments hesitation.
"That'll do" said our visitor, any
names Pilkins-Williams Pilkins, Esq
Professor of Music and Teacher of the
Violin and ACCORDION, is the way pu,
it on my keard, (card he meant, but fo
short l call it in conversation, "Bill Pill
bins, Singing Master"
We shook hands (without rising) with
Mr.. Pilkins, and hoped he enjoyed his
visit to New York
"Well, there now. neighbor,' said he
e you touch me in tender spot; dom
enjoy it. New York is mean, dirty
rascally place. I've been here only
three weeks, and it's cost me already
over two hundred and fifty dollars; yes
sir, tuo hundred and Nty dollars" re-
peatcd he, emphasizing each syllable
and can't make any show at all for
the money. And that is what have
come to tell you about. | want you to
hear my story and then pitch into the
rascals-give it to 'em as you did to
Woodbury.; they deserve it as much as
he did" ~ grn ,e
"Isyour story a long one7' we asked
al should kind think it was," said
Mr., Pilkins. .5 49,.
Any objections to having it publish
ed in the ,Musical World, and ,Times2'
we!inquired. =. * 3 2,
That's the best idea aaoat," respond
ed Mr.. Pilkins, with great animation,
"put it right in, in the biggest kind Of
type, that'll do the business for them
and it won't be a bad shot for me either,
will it 7" asked he.
We told him we thought it wouldn't,
| if his story were rich and racy--thiat is
ifhe had been vevy great fool and had
been done very brown. 0a aaN7 81
"Well," said he, Il think l can beat
anything yoacvor heard Of in y0ur life y
Go ahead" said wc, "you won't
disturb us; we can write and listen at
the same time. '"' '
Thereupon, Mr.. Pilkins began his
story, Uhc best part Of which can be
told in three words, namely, tits trac),
which we took down, phonographically,
word for word, and which we now give
as it was told to us, minus the gesticu-
lation, pronunciation and intonation
which, it is to he regretted, cannot bo
depicted in print 72
But we have not described Mr.. Pill
kins' personal appearance. Mr.. Pilkins
was about six feet high and fairly pro
portioned; dark complexion; full, beam
ing, black eye, much like Tom Corwinsi
black, glossy hair, cut close; foot as
big as Grunt Thornburns, and hand to
match he had on brown felt hat; q
brown linen coat light corduroy panla'
looms; nankcen vest; patent leather
CATERS, which he said he gave five dol
lars for the day before; blue striped
shirt, with turnover collar, and red
silk neck. .cloth--so red, that one felt
like calling for lire-ongine TO play upon
and ex'inguish it. Mr. Pilkins' phre'
biological developements were good
his Intellectual organs were large; his
Benevolenco very full; his Combative,
ness, Firmness, and neighboring organs
were well developed; but he was def
cient in Caution and sccrctiveness. He
was kind, genial and coufding nature
and being fresh from tho. country, he
could easily be imposed upon and 1leec'
ed by the "Artful Dodgers y of New
York. .. ."... "'
III begin, said Mr.. Pilkins, at the
beginning, and give you touch at my
! early life, SO you can the better appre'
cia,e my present situation ! was born
Iup Salt River, in kentucky, how far ur
! is no matter. While was quite young
Just old enough to stone the bull.frogs
my father moved out among the Black
hawk Indians, and thero ! was raised
/ grew up like wild grape-vine-pok
ing about where | pleased, and catching
hold Of any pins I chose. N.Y. princi