Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-25
Won Bulow and the monograph.

A few weeks ago the people of Madi-
son knew but little of the Edison phono =
graph, except what they had read of it in
the papers. Since Mr.. Goodwin has been
here with the machine, operating it daily
before hundreds, the mere mention of
the wonderful machine engrosses great
attention. Here is something. The
great pianist, Hans Won Bulow, as is we'll
known, is a man of highly sensitive Or
ganization. The following anecdote,
which is vouohed for by an eye witness is
an illustration: Previous to his last
visit to this country, Won Bulow had
never had an opportunity of hearing
sounds reproduced by the phonograph.
He had heard much, hawever, of it's won
ders, and particularly af the distinctness
and fidelity with which it gave forth
musical sounds. When the eccentric
musician arrived in New York one of the
first things he did was to pay visit to
EdlsOn's laboratory at Orange, N. j., for
the purpose Of gratifying his curiosity
about the phonograph. Mr.. Edison re-
ceived the musician in the most cordial
manner and acceded heartily to his re-
quest to hear his own playing reproduced
on the photograph. The apparatus for
the Transmission of sound was according
ly arranged and Won Bulow took his
position at the piano and began to
play
Now music issued forth soft and
dreamy, like the gentle gurgle of brook
or the far-Cff signing of the night
wind, and now the instrument seemed
to fairly shake and tremble at his touch,
the roar of the cataract, the rattle of
musketry and the ring of the hammer on
the anvil following each other in quick
succession.
"There," said he, when he had finished
and his delighted auditors were slowly
recovering from the effects of his won
derfUl execution, ''can that ever live
again?"
For answer Mr.. Edison led the pianist
to the phonograp oh, and directing him to
place the rubbar tubes connected with it
in his ears, started the machine.
Then all watched Won Bulow's coun-
teDance closely to see the effect.
At first look of surprise crept over the
face of the listener, then be became ashy
pale and made an effort as if to control
himself. Finally he tore the tubes from
his ears and staggered back from the
machine gaspiug:
"Mein Gott! Mein Gott! It is be-
witched."
He was about to faint and would have
fallen had not those about him caught
him and assisted him to a chair. When
he came to himself the musician begged
to be sent home at once, saying that his
nerves were completely unstrung and he
must have rest and quiet. The following
day, however, Won Bulow was at the lab
oratory again and spent several hours in
experimenting, exhibiting all the enthu-
siasHl of child over new toy.
Woman's Shoulders Hundred Years Ago.
Square shoulders are characteristic of
American woman. One hundred years
ago shoulders curved downward and a
high poised, swan-like neck were the
leading characteristic. Look at the old
port ats of Kelly Dues and other bellies
of the revolutionary period. The points
of her shoulders drop downward until the
line of the arms seem only continuation
of the line of the neck and shoulders.
Look at Mrs. John Jay herself, the fam
oa5 America beauty who looks so much
like Marie AntioDette that the audience
ia Paris theater once rose to their feet
to do her royal honor. she had sloping
shoulders, and SO had pretty Mrs. James
Beekman. who served President Washing
ton with lemonade made from lemons
gathered in mis- presents from her own
lemon trees. Could you find a sloplng
shoulder today? Fashion no longer con-
siders the long, dropping line elegant or
beautiful, and fashion within compare
lively recent period, has evolved by ae-
tolerated development the fall, square,
high shoulders, bigger framed, making
of the gymnasium, which is the present
deal. Square shoulders are almost uni
versal.