National Republican., 1883-03-02
PRACTICAL LOOKING.
How Two Musicians Jokcd and Got Even
One with the other.

The following amusing story is no fiction.
Its principal actor is we'll known musical
gentleman Of Boston, who tolls the tale, though
its point is aimed at himself, with hearty
relish. The Home Journal says that IL is n Gus
tom among musical students at Iiopsic TO
play practical jokes upon each other, aimed
more to make one appear ridiculous than to
do one harm. Some years ago, when the
aforesaid gentleman, whom we will call Penac,
was studying in that place, there came TO the
conservatory young southerner to study the
violin. Penao and several of the students
took him out to show him the lions. As they
passed along he said to several of his compan-
ions: Now, you do just rs l do and we'll
have somo fun with this new fellow"
, AS they reached the square in which the
statue of Bach is raised aloft, Penac solemnly
turned about and reverently dofled his cap,
his companions following suit.
The young southerner with eyes wide
opened for foreign observation" gravely
asked the meaning of tho maneuver.
"Ah9" replied Penac, " you don't know
much Of German people and their customs"
NO" said his companion.
"Well," said Pcnac, Bach is very much
revered in Liepsic-so much so that 1t is a
custom for oil who pass his statue to uncover.
Beautiful custom, isn't itP"
Beautiful, indeed, " replied the new conner.
:" I'll give you few points. I'll tell you
another custom in musical circles that is the
solemn admiration paid Beethoven. Why,
whenever his name is mentioned it Is the
habit to close ones eyes and bend ones head
devoutly." .
The southerner was much impressed He
had imagined such musical enthusiasm, but
scarce hoped to find it, aud was delighted.
Penac forgot the matter entirely, until,
some time atterward, he chanced 10 bo at an
evening reception, where he found himself
near his southern friend. Before he had q
chance to address him, he was amusingiy sur
prised to see him bob up, close his eyes, and
bow as if in prayer. He had scarcely sup
pressed q smile before voice ut his elbow
asked If he knew the young man, remarking:
He seems very sensible, yet have never
met him but what he has gone through that
performance, sometimes twice or three times
| in an evening" % s.
Penac afterward explained to the newcomer,
| saying: =" have had my joke and don't want
| you to make too much of u fool of yourself"
For moment the victim would not believe it.
| He had cherished the beautiful CUSTOM"
and practiccd it with assuidity, and could
hardly realize that he had been 30 idiotic.
Years passed, and one Sunday, q few weeks
| since, q crowd of Boston musicians were at
dinner in a French restaurant not hundred
miles from Boylston street, where outlandish
| dishes are served that favored of other climes,
~
old days ut Leipsic, Penac and the southerner
met and cordially shook hands. The former
had entirely forgotten his practical joke, and
| from o fun loving student had become u
rather headstrong eccentric musician. Dur
ing the repast his new found companion said !:
"Oh, by the way, Penac, have q friend
here whom am anxious you should meet"
BY all means introduce me, then"
lie is something Of n genius, generous 10
| fault, but peculiar-eCcentric"
Indeed, have penchant for curioj what
is its direction2"
"Well, he plays beautifully, improvises, but
he has fancy for not playing unless he is
paid, no matter if it is only quarter, 80
long as it is something" o.
"All right-thats all right" and the in
PRODUCTION was effected. SAID Penac:
Your friend told me that you are pianist,
and have great desire TO hear you.
hope" holding out his hand, "that l shall
have the pleasure of hearing you this after
noon," drawing his hand away and leaving o
quarter in the gentleman's palm.
u do not know a note" was the reply of
the gentleman, staring at the quarter, then
looking into Pcnac's face, questioningly, then
angIily..
that's all right. I-want---," getting con-
fused as the gentleman stared angrily In his
face and beginning to back away; " / hope
| at--y0u-will-lavor us-you know" and
he got to his southern friend as soon US possi-
Bile.
II should think he was eccentric; thought
he was going to knock me down never saw
such strange acting man; gave him the
quarter to; never felt so cheap in my life."
"No?" was the rejoindor "Probably you
felt about as l did in Leipsic ten years ago"
Then Penac remembered; but he laughed
| all the same ..t..