The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-05-17
THE PR ES S.
TOsso, ASDTnE PITTsBuRG CLERKS.
FROM rnr ANECDOTES OF rRurL AND MUSICAL HISTORY
OF TOssO

IRON I'LL ANElDOIEa or TRAVEL AND MUSICAL HISTORY
OF TOssO.
Some years had elapsed since Mr.. Tosso had
visited Pittsburg; when, yielding to the solicit
tations Of an old friend, and former pupil, he
had arrangements made for giving concert
there, on stated night. The boat on which
he embarked landed on The wharf of the Getty
of conl' late in the evening; and getting up
carly, Mr.. Tosso concluded to take a lonely
ramblc through the city, to note the changes
old Tine had made since his last visit, before
his friend would have time to meet him at the
boat. 1t was cold frosty morning in Febru
ary; and, wrapping his heavy blue blanket
greatcoat closely about him, aud drawing his
broad brimmed hat down over his eyes, he
sailed forth. The hour was so early that he
found but one business house open-a music
store, kept by an old acquaintance and as the
sound of violin issued from it, he entered,
without hesitation, when the following anu
sing scene occurred:]
TEnter Tosso, and observes two clerks seated
on either side of desk, with violin precop-
tor between them, with feet thrown carelessly
over the board, and head thrown complacently
back. They were industriously saving out
diacord on the violin which they held in this
most ungraceful attitude. TOsso passes around
the room, examining the instruments, and ever
and anon pausing at the side of the selt-im-
portant clerks, nd looking over the notes. lie
speaks
"Boyl, cant you play some good old tune?
Dan Iuckep, Sitting ON II Rail, or something of
that kind"
First clerk Grdi gnantly l-"Humph we play
nothing but scientific music here, sir y
[Discord proceeds some moments. TOsso
again advances:
Boys, is there no quick time in your book?
] lilio fast music"
I'll.
you had better 20 down to the market house,
and attend to your horses and wagon, and let
US practice our music undisturbed."
TOsso-"0, never mind my horses; tied
them fast before left"
Second Clerk-"You seem to like music,
sir?"
Tosso--"O, yes; very much indeed but you
play so slow; cant you play something for me,
faster? L would like to hear you play some
quick tune"
First Clerk-'T say, old fellow, if you like
music SO well, and We cant please you, you had
just better 60 and attend to your team now,
and come back tomorrow night to TOsso's
concerts the tickets are only fifty cents apiece,
and perhaps he can play the violin to please
you"
Tosso---"Tosso! who is this Tosso?"
Second Clerk-"0, he is a very great violin
player, from Cincinnati; every body is going
10 near MIN 10 morrow nlBut.
Tosso-"O, then, ] shall certainly attend;
for l am SO very fond of the violin. play,
sometimes, myself
Second Clerk-"Indeed; if that is the case,
will you not play tune for us ?"
Togso-"I don't know; my violin is a pery
| old one, and don't like to play on any other ?"
First Clerk-"Ea, ha, he is so used to the
| harsh tones Of an old, cracked violin, that he
| can't play on good one."
Tosso (smiling)-"I think I'll try to play a
piece on yours; but what was that you was
playing just now ?"
First Clerk-"0, it is called The Bayadere,'
from the opera of Bayadere."
Tosso-"Buy deer? Ha, ha; we'll, l never
| heard of such a name, but think play that
tune, only play great deal more than you
| DO"
First Clerk--"More! why we play every
note but suppose you learned it Of some
country Hoosier, by ear"
| IOsso--"No, ne, l learned it by note; |
| don't play any other way"
| First Cerk-"Well, well, play it for US, and
no doubt but we will be eminently odihed."
Tosso takes the violin and plays. The
| heavenly sounds fill the bewildered brains of
| the clerks with ecstasy, astonishment, and
| 1--WE. Gracefully introducing one beautiful and
enchanting style after another throughout the
piece, he finally brought it to a close, and with
nasty GOOD bye, boys, was about to make
| his egress into the street, when no was almost
| overturned by his friend, who, Just at that
| moment, threw the door open, and claspiug
the great violinist in bis arms, calculated,
How do you do, my dear old master? was
| IN my way to the boat, to meet you; and hear
ing violin, hnstened toward it; for / knew
no one couldp!ay in that way but Tosso."l
The horror-struck clerks gave vent to Sc
ries of exclaruations. 80, Mr.. Tosso, don't
lon't--neuer tell any one ON earth about our
twkward hlunder. o, we can never forgive
ourselves" etc.
FINALE.-Ine Joke was altogether too good
| to be kept, and before night it had pretty
wide circulation through the city. Notwith-
| standing, the young clerks became warm
| friends Of the great master Of the bow, and re-
ceived many valuable lessons from him during
his stay, in the divine art of producing sweet
sounds, in addition to their first, and never
to-be forgotten one (which he gave EN-
| gratis, that il is exceedingly danger us to
come to hasty conclusions.
Ii this little anecdote should meet the eye
of either Of the parties it is hoped it will be
| read with the same degree of good humor and
| benevolent spirit with which Mr.. Tosso always
tells his story Of "The Pittsburg Clerks.
EULALIE.