The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-03-27
CCambrian.l
GOttleib Schmidt at the EisteddfOd.

lie T0duOES Will dU OuC6 anu COl
rectly infer that the hero of the fol-
lowing brief but tragic narrative is
German; and, as is usual with the av-
erage representative of this worthy
nationality, does not understand a
word of the Welsh language. Hav-
ing heard much Of the Eisteddfod, and
having been given to understand that
this institution is to the Welshman
what the Sangerfest is to the Ger
man, he was all eagerness to attend.
The desire was speedily communicat-
ed to his friend Jones, who readily
consented to accompany him in the
capacity Of protector, guide, and in
terpreter. When the occasion arrived
and the exercises began, they might
have been seen seated side by side in
the spacious auditorium devoted for
the day to the exercises constituting
the Eisteddfod. Permit the interpo-
sition Of word Of commiseration for
the man who does not understand
Welsh, and particularly when the said
individual is found in attendance up
on an Eisteddfod. Music has Ian
guage of its own, appealing to the
soul rather than to the mind, and as
Schmidt, like most Of his countrymen
was an ardent lover Of music, and like
many Of them possessed thorough
appreciation of its more subtle charms,
he enjoyed to large extent the mu-
sical portion of the exercises. But
the Eisteddfod consists of more than
a musical performance. The remarks
made by the Chairman, the adjudica-
ton and the recitations are usually,
and were on this occasion, confined
exclusively to the Welsh language.
Seventeen men entered the lists in
competition for a prize offered for the
best rendition of a very tedious recita-
ton in that language; and by the
time that no more than nine or ten Of
these worthless had appeared and dis
appeared, many good man in that
audience found himself bored well
nigh to the point of self-destruction.
If you, gentle reader, have ever at
tended an Esteddfod, you will at least
bear me out in the assertion that to
be compelled to listen to and witness
a performance Of this sort is not the
EXTREMIST height of felicity. This
ended, the Chairman, who was a wit
ty fellow, exerted himself. and sue
cessfully. to keep the audience in good
humor. His witticisms and hum orous
anecdotes provoked roars of laughter
and veritable thunders Of applause.
A change came over the spirit Of the
meeting. Flagglng interest was fully
awakened. Enjoyment universal
reigned. Among this merry company
our friend Schmidt alone was glum.
The contagion seized him it is true,
but in a very mild form. He family
smiled when the others loudly haw-
hawed. The session of four hours
was but half over. Much time re-
mained. He turned to his Welsh
friend, Jones, and whispered request
that he be good enough to give him
slight nudge just when the laugh
came in. Thenceforward it was done
accordingly. Being given the signal
he laughed at the right time and in
the right place a good, Teutonic laugh
with a ring to it and an echo that
seemed prompted by the very incon-
gruity of the circumstances. Thus it
went on for the space Of an hour or
more. Being promptly signaled, he
promptly responded. Finally the
Chairman made pathetic allusion to
the recent decease Of q well known
citizen who had been prominently
identified with the Eisteddfod Of the
preceding year. The assembly re-
Gently so gleeful, were melted well
nigh to tears, bat Schmidt did not ap-
pear to notice it. The climax being
reached, prompted by some evil ge-
MUS, Jones gave his companion
thrust between the eighth rib and the
ninth. The response was prompt.
The German smote his palms togeth-
er, leaned back and gave forth
loud, ringing laugh. The effect was
A score Of sturdy Cambri-
ans rose to their feet, seized upon the
man, who, while being
unceremoniously hustled out Of the
room, was made a target Of fierce
volley of double Is and double DIS, his
being drowned beneath
a torrent Of execrations. All was con-
fusion. In vain did the Chairman at
tempt the restoration of order. Every
body forgot himself. Even the adju-
dicator, ordinarily man Of great pro-
bity and discrimination, himself went
so far astray as to award a prize to
The choir most worthy Of it. The as
sembly was dismissed, and further ex-
ercises deferred until the next session.
Schmidt has commenced suit against
Jones for malicious practical joking,
o,l 4lo ,o,,,o 1e H.