The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-01
MANAGING a Concert.


Managing Concert.
When Johns wife and Mrs. SmiIax
put their heads together something is
going to happen. They never blurt out
project, and get their husbands backs
up. They undermine them, slowly but
surely.
Smilax noticed that when John and
his wife called In Of an evening, that
Johns wife and Mrs. Smilax had q
good deal to say about music. These
little conversations were interspersed
with the most laudatory remarks upon
the voice and method of Miss Bella
Bettiny, the soprano Of the choir of the
church which they attended. The per-
sonal merits and the domestic charm of
Miss Bella Beftiny were alluded to, and
so from mere mention of hername John
and SmilaX became familiar with all
those sacrifices which Bella made to
support her elderly aunt and a brother,
who had an unhappy facility Of keeping
himself and all his relatives in hot wa
ter.
When the two gentlemen had been
sufficiently imbued with sense of the
self-sacrificing life which Miss Bella
led, Johns wife very quietly limited that
something ought to be done for her.
AC lAkLGlAI JUN ctAlQ It's anu
the more cautious SmilaX aeQuiesced.
"Let Us give her q complimentary
concert" said Johns wife, in such an
electrical manner that it appeared as
If this idea had suddenly flashed upon
her.
"That would be splendid" ehimed in
Mrs. Smilax, as if the suggestion was an
inspiration.
Yes" added John. "Why not ?'
Smilax held his silence.
"Why not, Smilax?n remarked John.
- don't know anything about giving
concerts" said Smilax; "and besides,
my busy season is coming on"
Smilax looked up, and the eyes of
Johns wife were upon him. He didn't
exactly quail, but when Johns wife
proposes to rivet any one by her glanees,
there is a sense of looseness about the
scalp. Smilax experienced this sensa-
tion, and added:
'But l don't oppose the proposition;
only think that"
"Come, Mr.. Smilax," interrupted
Johns wife, 'I'll wager you will sell
more tickets than John WILL We will
let John be business manager"
"Wefl, / don't know about that n
said John; az never managed a con-
cert"
'1t won't take two hours to do all We
want you to do" said his wife. "You'l
engage the hall and sell some tickets
and that is all we shall want of YOU"
"Ob, if that is ALL" replied the con.
iding John, 81 think / am equal to it,
Thus originated the complimentary
concert for Miss Bella. When Johns
wife told her of the fortune in store foi
her her owes filipd with faorG
''It will be the musical event of the
season." said Mrs Smilax.
al know it WILL" said Johns wife
"NOw we must have assistance TO make
up good programme"
''Oh, can obtain plenty of volun-
teers," said Miss Bella. ''rhere is
SterOp, and Gandet, and Maligny, and
besides, il Miss Amanda Amorata is in
New York she will come on; she is q
friend Of mine."
''YOu don't mean the prima donna?'
said Johns wife.
Certainly do" replied Bella.
1t was determined that a telegram
should be sent to AmOrata, which was
done, and a favorable reply received.
The concert was announced for the 1sl
instant at symphony Hall, which John
nad engaged. 1t was also concluded
lhat IL would be useless TO advertise the
concert, u they could sell all the tickets
without 10, as it would be more dis.
t6lgUe to make it private compliment
taTy concert. John had charge of the
printing. Trouble commenced when he
brought the tickets home and showed
them to his wife.
"Why, John ~
"Well, what's the matter with thos.
tickets ."
sfTt ,,,,,,sf 10 - ol,a rart;oI .to-.,l =.
ut looks like provision dealers card
"Well, thought il didn't have ex
aetly the right appearance"
"Ips horrid-positively horridi
wouldn't dare to offer one for sale.n
This was too much. The package thi
next minute was on the hot Goals. Al
a thousand tickets in packs didn't burn
readily, they smOuldered awhile anC
then began TO smoke, and the chimney
being rather small the smoke curleC
gracefully around.
Put 'em out, John; you'll fill the
mouse with the horrid smell.n
Sonn TOOK the tongs and pulled them
Ou'' ana Hn the packs fell apart aud bIazed
np me aroma was increased. The
tl,o.e te ne ne poked the tickets under the
fno ont more more they persisted In send
PAIR John seized the ica-nitoba. a.ss
ponreu stream upon The b,,rnin0 n0
cards, but the steam generateJ tJ'~.ne ,as
binding. It was six hours afser,,.N.i r we
Id Inat MI, MIS-. anG Mrs. smilax dropped = in n
anu when Smilax suggested that H.
uralh must De out of order, John soil ~
thought it was. saiu M
The next lot Of tickets were ha,,o.
They were distributed. The fact tSa
Miss AmOrata would sing was dS-n1
upon. John took fifty tickets. which q
knew he could dispose OF. The f;rs
friends he applied to had already bee,
supplied by Smilax, and Smilax foun
that most Of his friends had agreed I
take tickets Of John. Johns wife sol
ten TO Mrs. Checkerberry, and job