Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-10-04
Raminiscence Of the Late Ned Ken
DALI

dali.
40 old stcry told Of Ned Kendall, when at
the height OF his popularity, nearly forty years
ago. will be new 10 many at this time. |: ap-
pears that a celebrated New York bugIe play
err had heard so much of Kendall's playing,
aud mad had com parison Of his own execution
80 frequently made with that of the BoStoDiao,
and to the favor OF the latter, that be natural
" had great desire to meet the rival perform
er, aud accordingly visited Boston for that pur-
pose % the very day Of his arrival, which
WAS at the height OF the sleighiDg season, he
vas Invited to join seighiug party, which
be did.
Arriving, after glorious ride, a; one of the
then popular out.ot-rOWn resorts, u be Punch
bowl" old "Pte.ix," or "Brighton," the
party found that the ballroom Of the place was
lighted up, ADD a grand dance was TO take
place by large party who bad arrived from
Boston. The New Y ork musician finding the
bar room cramued with gentlemen parlaklng
OF various warm and stimulating fluids, stepped
into side paror to wait better chance to do
likewise, and 10 warm himself at the fire, be-
fore which sat three individuals. who c}urte
ously made room for him. Ga the table pear
by lay hugie. evidently just taken from It's
case which lay near.
"Ah u said The New Yorker, having warm.
ed his fugers toto hexIbil,y as be leaned sis
hand upon the table aud toyed with the keys
of the instrument ANY one OF you play on
this 2"
Eyes, | do, little, said a somewhat thick
set, dark comp lexIoned man at the fire.
Play for parties, l. suppose?
Now aud thee, when l get job said the
other, his eyes twink Iirg, do you =
"Oh, l do little 10 my way, said the New
Yorker, with assumed indifference, and selz
| lug the bugle he ran over the scale, gave ball
doz-n straios and pretty snatches OF melody
thar brought dtz:u or TWO listeners to The halt
oprn door. -
The dark man opened his eyes wider You
are an excellent player" SAID he.
! "On. oily so, so,' was the gratl6ed and
somewhat pompous reply, Il suppose you don t
20 into much except dauce music p
well, yes. little; I'm pretty good at lml.
tating a thing hear played once or twice,
and he took up the Instrument, ADD played the
same strains the other had pcrto' med, awk
wardiy, ard with bali d, zen bitches aDi
uulS-lOnS
Pretty good" said the New York bugler,
''but you want pracice and accent, especially
in solo playing
mo doubt Of il" said the dark man.
vast deal Of ornamenta;ion, Said the New
Yorker, warming up with desire to show Old
his skill before what he thought an Inferior
player, and the gathering group thai the notes
: of the instrument had already attracted. IN Nv
be Fishers Hornppe Is lively tune, but sec
what can be done with it; aod be toe up the
bugc and gut the country dance through a ser'es
Of variations that made the nerves OF every foot,
Who. rwocr VS. within hearing, Jingle with
elect; lc thrills.
you can hardly follow that as we'll a the
SEALS suppose said the pertoruer, laying
down the Instrument amid buzz OF applause
from his DOW augmepted audience.
"Wcl, d1n't kuow about following any.
body, but may give you my idea OF II, SAID
the dark CON pexi0ncd mat, Us h. took up the
instrument.
IF the first bar made the other player start,
the succe, ding oues trauSfXed him as the pei
former executed strains with ! cprrectness, skill
ADD beauty that be never heard ,yrlctcd ron.
a buge before The variations, trlsls tone and
melody of the familiar old dance were rendered
into electric poetry as never be!or" dreamed OF,
as they flow. d from the bell Of the Instrument,
and beneath the skiI'tu manipulatoos and
neyer-failug wind Of the performer, who at the
conclusion OF his performance, amid roar ot
Applause, remarked, with the same sly twIpkie
10 his Diary eye:
"What do you think now -
"Thiuk u said the other, as he stood with
his eyes disended with establishment. Think
Why that no Iiviog man could have done hat
you must Re either SataD or Ned Kendall. "
Ned Kendall, and 20 Satan, said the
player, as he grasped the others hand extend
ed to him.