The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-28
THE BANJO PLAYER
Why Theodore Thomas Purposely Re-
Trained from Politeness.

Trained from Politene5s.
There was one marriage gift received by
Mr.. and Mrs. Theodore Thomas at their
wedding at Chicago recently, rays the Gin
cinnati Enquirer, that was never ackmow-
legged, either by letter or verbally.
Thereby hangs an interesting tale.
When the marriage was announced a
number Of ladies in this city who are identi-
fed with the promotion of music, the nus
bands OF two of them being quite promi-
nent in musical societies, resolved to do
their share in making the wedding joyous
one, and agreed to purchase jointly a suit
able gift. Being wealthy expense was not
spared, the chief idea being to get some
thing that would be appropriate.
At Isbelps the ladies found the very thing,
so they thought in their innocent feminine
way, and instantly it was bought A little
cord was tied to the gift with dainty
white bow of silk ribbon, and on it the
donors indited their compliments.
1t arrives in Chicago in due time, and
was unpacked IN Mr.. Thomas presence
When he looked upon it he grew pale, then
red, then he tugged at his ia why mustache,
Halted tone, said something that made the
angels who preside over harmony blush for
their earthly counterpart. What became
of the gift is not related. The ladies, con-
scious of having done graceful thing and
serene In the expectation of a warm reply of
thanks. awaited the arrival Of the note of
acknowledgment. 1t never came. Last
week Mr. Thomas and his bonnie
bride arrived in the city, and on
Monday last reception was
rendered the latter by friends in this city. :
Among those who thronged the drawing
room were the ladies who had sent the
beautiful gift, for it was really so. They
had begun to believe that something had
occurred, and after meeting the happy
couple and hearing no expression of thanks,
became confirmed in this belief. They
withdrew from Mr.. Thomas presence, con-
ylnced OF the fact that he had forgotten at
least one rule Of the book of etiquette and
proper department.
The sequel is as interesting as the story of
the presentation. The gift that the ladies in
their goodness had selected was an enameled
bronze bust, almost life size, of an aged
darky playing a rude banjo. IL was very
pretty thing, and thousands have admired
it for its beauty and truthfulness to life.
With the eyes half closed, the mouth partly
open, as If humming favorite plantation
air, and the wrinkled hand poised above the
strings, just as though chord had been
picked" and was vibrating in harmony
with the melody, the picture seemed the
embodiment of true music
Yet, Mr.. Thomas was perceptibly an gered
when he received it. The secret, as laid
bare by the husbands of the fair donors Of
the bronze, Is amusing. Mr.. Thomas was
not always the leader Of great orchestra
nor the petted favorite of the American
public. Indeed, it is said that in the dim
past he did not disdain TO assist at what is
now known as minstrel performance"
This was in the days when Win Carleton,
the baritone, concealed his handsome face
behind a coating Of burnt cork. 1t is easy
to fathom Mr. Thomas feeling. In his
haste he believed that his secret had been
discovered, and that the present was merely
clever way of reminding him of his past.
Therefore his ebullltlon of anger.
Therefore the gossip about his action.