The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-06-10
EBENsBURG, PA, THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1869.

not big enough for men being filed. as
usual, by boys, the omnipresent imps, who
are always on hand when there is prom
lse OF noise, fun OF mischief. After the
usual delay, which elected from the au-
dlence any amount of stamping, whistline
and imitation cater wauling, the curtain
rose, and the grand catharmonioon was
disclosed to view. Two rows of cat
heads, two dozen each, glared with their
lustrous green and yellow eyes straight at
the audience. Little ruffies were around
tnelr necks; miniature music stands, with
books and candles were placed before
them; the aforesaid two bassos, whose
beauty was spoiled by the fight, being
provided with muslin bands. which added
to the gravity of their countenanc.-
The whole was indescribably comic,
and was received with due ap>
plause. Seated at the organ was John
son, In clean shirt, and as sober as he
could afford to be on so grand an occa-
sion. AS soon as he could be heard,
Curtis advanced and stated to tho audi>
ence that the first song of the evening
would be "Auld Lang Syne,'' OF. as be
pronounced it, "Oid Lang Zion," which
woald be followed by "Hail Columbia"
'Clar de Kitchen and other patriotic
and devotional songs. johnson squared
himself for the task, ran his fingers ten
derly over the keys by way of prelude,
and then dashed boldly and vigorously
into Old Lang Zion. producing such a
burst OF music as was never heard on this
continent before, nor ever will be again
till another Curtis arises to carry into
more successful execution his brilliant ex-
pertinent. The cats were excited to fury
in the presence of the new and uproarious
audience, and still more under the unusu-
ally severe pounding of their tails. They
forgot all the lessons they had been
taught, they paid no attention to their
parts, to either time or tune, rhyme or
reason, but squalled and mewed, yelled.
spit, and phizzed in the very ma dness of
pain and terror, drowning the sound of
the organ, which could be heard occasion
ally droning out Old Lang Zion, in the
roar ef the uneartly tornado of caterwaul>
ing. Never was an audience SO completes
ly eschanted-never was delight 80 unu-
sual-so abounded, and so vigorously ex-
pressed. Shouts, roars, yells Of laughter,
such as Western men alone can give, burst
from the crowd, shaking the building
from roof to foundation. Curtis was de-
lighted-the cats were furious-J ohnson
was beside himself with joy, and ham
mered away at the keys with all his
strength, making with the aid Of the choir,
and the plaudits of the audience, q soon
cord" Of diabolical sounds never heard
before on this siIe of the Internal regions.
Unfortunately in his delirium be forgot
the strength or weakness of the bellows
which supplied the organ with wind, and
which he worked with his foot. He had
not reached the end of the song when the
leather gave way and brought the perform
ance to sudden close, the cats alone
continuing the song or noise till one after
another they became silent, and stood
winking and blinking at the spectators,
in mute fear Of recommmencement of
the torture.
Curtis now approached, and after ex-
amining the extent of the catastrophe,
addressed the audience
"Gentlemen," said he, ''the biler-T
mean the bellows-is busted, and the con-
cert can't go ahead tonight. Tomorrow
I'll have the bellows mended and give an
other concert, introducing choice classical
songs, melodies, etc. Anybody that wants
his money returned to-night"--here he was
interrupted with "No, mol" "Hurrah
for Curtis - "Never mind the organ ="
SEQ ahead on the cats - t'Give US Old
Hundred with the variations! % and a
storm of similar exclamations, accompa-
MED with shouting, stamping, whistling
and catcalling. Curtis all the time stand
ing, twirling his hat and trying to be
heard. A stentorian voice shouted s'Three
cheers for Curtis,' which were given in
earnest, and literally brought down the
house, or rather the staging on which the
audience sat and stood. 1t fell with q
crash, luckily doing no further harm than
the breaking of a few shins. A moments
silence followed and then another outburst
of laughter, mingled with swearing and
blows, which soon became one of those
free fights such as ended most public
gatherings, camp meetings, etc., in those
primitive and happy times. The boys
now began to pelt the cats with pieces of
broken benches, and Curtis, fearing the
safety of his pets, and unable to get them
bodily from the scene of danger. lifted off
the upper planks which confined their
necks in their place, and set them at lib
erty. The terror stricken creatures dart
ed away in every direction, mostly among
the feet of the spectators, adding to the
confusion. Whoops, yells, hurrahs, and
shouts were followed by general smash
up of benches and windows. The boys
running down the stairs raised the cry of
''fre !" Citizens and watchmen crowded
the street to learn the cause of the uproar,
and the engines found difficulty in getting
near enough to do their part'of the work.
There was no sign of fire or smoke, but