The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-17
A R0USING RECEPTION.
A MISSISSIPPI PRISONER WHO DIDN'T
TAKE TO CONCERTS.
The Charm of an instrumental Duct
Twice Rudely Interrupted, the Last
Time Bringing Dlsmay and Painting
Spells to the Vast Audience.

Spells to the Vast Audience.
A certain combination of concert talent,
at present in this city, and some of the
members of which belong here, will long
remember certain town in Mississippi.
The few ladies in the case will hardly
cherish the recollection with any degree OF
ecstatic pleasure, though the male mem.
bers may regard ii as one OF those little
experiences which enter into life and
add charm of which they would not care
to be deprived.
A date had been arranged at the town
in question for a concert, one of the supe-
rior affairs that the people Of more pretcn-
tious Memphis delight TO patronize. Leay-
ing here late one afternoon, they
entered the burg with flying colos and
happy hearts, those feelings growing out
OF assurances that the profits OF the enter.
tainment would prove something worth
taking into consideration.
Being a small place, the inhabitants,
though highly cultivated and in a large
measure wealthy, are content 10 accommo-
date themselves in the matter of enter
tainments 10 private residences and a large
apartment in the courthouse. In other
words, there is no theater there or regular
town hall. The concert in question was,
therefore, given in the courthouse room.
As q matter OF course, the county OIL
GERS OF the law are not privileged 10 take
into account any affair OF private char
acter when performance OF public duty is
involved. Even were they diked out in
ruiIed bosom shirts, spike-tailed coats and
patent leather shoes, summons 10 collar
an offender against common law must
need be obeyed Just the same, unless there
should happen TO bea convenient and will
ing substitute close at hand. In this par.
ticular case, full dress toggcry was not ex-
actly demanded anyhow. and with those
who chose to don ii the small and untu.
tOred kid would have cnjoyed rare fun
should they have done so before the shades
OF evening cast their protecting wings
about them.
During the day Immediately preceding
the aforementioned protecting shades,
the High Sheriff of the domain in which
was situate the town involved, found him.
sell under the pleasing privilege OF yank-
ing into prison confines one OF the tough
est characters known 10 the good, bad and
indifferent people Of the community. just
what lac stood charged with, cuts no figure
IN this instance. IL may have been whole
sale butchery or high treason, and il may
have been nothing more gricyous than
plain, everyday, chestnut sort OF u hori.
zontal drunk. One thing is very material,
though, To the point in issue, viz: The
prisoner was very drunk when placed in
the calaboose, and the calaboose was adj
joining the chambers in which the concert
was TO be given, as, in other words, the
Sheril's office was utilized for the pur.
pose, pending more substantial and con
venient arrangements.
Report also has il that the prisoner sue.
cecded in Conccaling his Young mountain
howitzcr from the searching officials;
further, that lac was not OF musical turn
OF mind, and still further, that, when
brought 10 the scratch, lao could indulge
in some OF the widest yocalizalion that
charactcrizcs cowboy aud Comanche
reign. During the day he was meek as a
lamb, yielding willing obedience 10 the
hiladonsly soothing effects Of beaded red
juice. Toward nighllall sleep iurspok him.
works display. aud his tongue was put
through q severe course oi silent trimming,
preliminary 10 the rigorous test soon 10
follow.
The opening number on the concert
program was from couple Of instruments,
neither Of which WIS arbass drum. Hardly
were the bcNitchlng melodies of the sclcc.
ton well under way when prolracied and
lNf tl.uFtUFg ts.fa. at.V..I H.. 4
iloatcd through the crcyiccs into the con.
cert hall, and on out into darkencd space. !
The audience rose as two men, one wo- |
man and boy, and started for the doors |
and windows IL was feature OF the im- |
prompiu performance that the regular |
program came 20 painful halt. Before |
them had been popular ouipouring the |
interruption ceased, the prisoner lapscd, |
and soon the two Instruments were hard |
nj Il, pulling out whatever Of charm there
was registered on the papers before them,
In the shape Of notes. A lew spasmoiic |
snorcs grated upon the cultivated ears |
masscd 10 lap In the strains They grad /
ually grew in volume. became more anil |
mated, aud closed upon the claws Of each
other, winding up with yell. a snort, u
string Of livid oaths and n bangl bang
with rclishcs ~ the shape ~ hard lurni- /
lure coming In contact with the plank
walls aud iloors, a shuilling of feet, and a
Iusiy dcmand 10 be projected from a howl
Ing mob. Of snakes aud Wild animals.
THIS WIS the climax Of CONSERVATION
and alarm among the audience. Within
five minutes there were no signs Of lie
about The promises except two small boys,
Who sliyrrcd under the steps. sniilling Tor
assistance. aud the Sheriff and four dcpu.
lies wrestling with the fears of their
charge. A number Of ladies who tainted
during the exciting Incident were carried
beyond the fanciod danger line by chiyal-
-ic and bruwny manhood. The lights
we're cxiinguishcd, guard was posted
Icvcml hundred yards from the building.
lnd the pfowling CANNES, cnts aud lively
'rickots resumed their reign.
At an early hour next morning tho con.
'crt combination was pfomcnading the
ifccis Of this city In sections. and each
cspecliyo member pronounced the tour"
rousing SUCCESS
HAS ANYBODY SEEN BUaCH7