Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-08-27
The Power of Music

A gentleman, who was flrst-Tsite
performer of Scotch music on the vio-
lin, spent winter at Exeter, and, of
course, soon became acquainted with
the musical diletanti of the place. DIN
ing one day with a professor, the con-
verSation turned upon Scotch music,
and strong argument arose as to its
bearing competition with foreign mu-
sic-the Scotchman, whom we shall for
the present designate the Fiddler, in
sisting that, when properly played, no
thing could excel it.
"I'll tell you what, " says the Fiddler,
''I'll lay you bet of five pounds that
if party of Scotchmen can be got to-
gether, l'll make them shed tears one
minute, sing the next and dance the
third"
''Done." said the Professor 'and if
your music is capable of that, l will
not only pay the five pounds with pleas
ure, but will be convinced that it is the
most enlivening, pathetic and best mu-
sic in the world"
The difficulty arose as to getting an
opportunity for trial but being in
formed that a number of young Scots
men were TO dine at a certain hotel on
the anniversary Of Burns birthday, it
was agreed to pay them a visit. 1t was
considered capital opportunity by the
Fiddler, for these young men, being
principally raw-boned, over-grown
Scotch lads, who had recently left their
own country to carry tea in the neigh
borhood, were the very ones upon whom
he was sure to make a hit.
All being now arranged, and the ut
most secrecy being agreed upon, the
eventful day was anxiously looked for.
At length it came, and the Fiddler and
the Professor. by an introduction to
one of the party, got an invitation to
the dinner. There were twelve alto
gether sat down, and right merry
party they soon became, for the whisky
tOddy was not spared when the memory
of any of Scotia's bards was proposed.
The Fiddler was not long in percelving
that he had got among right musical
set, and he waited patiently till they
were in that happy state when they
were ft for anything. AT length he gave
a wink TO the Professor, who at once
proposed that his friend should favor
them with Scotch tune on the violin.
Capital, capital ~ cried the whole
party.
The violin was brought, and all were
in breathless anxiety. The Fiddler
cnose for his first tune, "Here's health
to them that's AVA" and played it In
the most solemn and pathetic manner.
''That's wofu' tune" said a great,
| big, raw-boned youth to his next neigh
Dor.
SIT is that, Sandy. There's mickle
in that tune, man. l. reminds o. ane
that's gane," Jamie at the same time
giving a deep sigh and drawing his
hand over his long gaunt face to hide
the tears which were trickling down his
cheeks.
The Fiddler with his keen eye soon
perceived that before he got through
the second part of the tune he would
have then all in the same mood. He
therefore threw his whole soul into the
instrument, played the tune as he had
never done before /; and as the last four
bars Of the tune died away like the dis
taHt echo, there was not dry cheek
among the company. ''Now is the
time" thought the Fiddler and with
out stopping moment he struck up, in
a bold, vigorous style, "WillIe brew'd
a Peck o. Maui" In went the hand
kerchiefs, away went The tears.
s'Chorus ~ cried the Fiddler, and in
an instant all struck up
For we are nae rOu, were nae that fou,
But Just drapple IN our ee;
| The cock may craw- the day may daw',
But ayk well taste the barley breel
The song ended, up struck the tid-
dler in his best style the reel of Jenny
dang the Weaver"
Scotland forever ~ cried Jamie, and
in an instant tables, chairs and glasses
were scattered in all directions, the
whole party dancing and jumping like
madmen.
Out ran the affrighted Professor-for
he did not know what might come next
up came the landlady with her terri
| fed train of inmates. But none durst
enter the room, the hurrahs and thumps
upon the floor being boisterous and it
was only upon the entry of Scotch
traveller, who had just arrived and who
cried to the Fiddler for any sake to
stop, that order was restored.
1t is needless to say that the Profess
sor paid his bet cheerfully, and was
fully convinced of the effect of Scotch
music when properly played, and that
the landlady took care that the Fiddler
never came into her house again for
Burns anniversary dinner.