Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-06-13
LITTLE FIDnIERS.
A PEEP AT A merry SCHOOL or
YOUTHFUL WoLlNlsTs.

10 hear them. and like stirring up shoal
of sand fiddlcrs 20 see them running up
and down the steep stairs to and fro from
their lessons. Moreover, 1t is like trying
To catch an old granddaddy sand fiddler
to catch one of these little youngsters
and ask him how he learned to fiddle
and when and where. Saturday after
noon is the time 20 see these baby virtu-
osos in their glory. From east, from
west, from Harlem and Hoboken they
come skipping along by twos. by threes.
with maids in attendance. TO worship at
the shrine of the violin, Professor Wat.
son, of Fourteenth street, il master of
this marvellous school. and he draws no
lines regarding sex, age or previous con
dition. Rich and poor alike come and
are treated to the same free instruction.
PuRIIs or ALL KINDS.
''You would be astonishcd," he said
as the unique entertainment drew to a
close, ito know some. of the names that
are among the two thousand we have on
our books already. No one, no matter
how rich he may be, cares TO throw away
money on finding out simply whether a
childs fancy Is a nasural taste or within
So people who know of the school send
their boys and girls to me. can soon
find out il the child has any cleverness,
and Immediately notify them. Ii the
boy of rich parents likes his violin, they
naturally buy him good instrument and
engage teacher. Other children come
and 20, more as their own fancy dictates
but they usually have some one. an older
sister. or an aunt or a grandmother, who
takes pride in their little iiddlings and
soon buys for them violin Of their own,
which they can take home and practice
ON to their hearts content. In that way
get partial recompense for my time
and trouble, and at the same time have
the satisfaction OF knowing that | have
been able to keep some children's minds
away from worse things during their
first few years"
Ii was 2 o'clock when the youngsters
began to arrive. Some dy down the
street as IL they moved ON steel springs,
grinning happy little grins Of satisfaction
as they pound ON sturdy legs up 10 the
rooms above. Others, coming for the
first time, wander open mouthed along
the street, asking now "A hand organ
man, and now policeman, if they know
''where the music mans place is" Unless
they know Professor Watson's name they
are apt to have some trouble in finding
him, for Fourteenth street is full OF
Emusic men" At last they see some
other little boy with a fiddle and their
troubles are all over.
Once upstairs. their real troubles are
usually over, but the poor, unhappy kids
do not seem TO think so. a little twist
catches their tongues us they start up
stairs, and by the time they have reached
the office double bow knot could not tie
!. them any tighter. The professor
daughter takes them in hand first and,
after their unruly little members get
limbered up bit, finds out all about each
new pupil. Then she passes them along
TO the next room, where they make their
professional bow te one q the teachers,
to say nothing of their first violin. They
stand around in helpless rows until the
busy professor comes flying along. then
one by one are stood out in the middle OF
the door, their knees jogging beneath
them, and set to work.
TUE FIRST LESSON.
Feet So! SAYS the professor, his right
heel in the hollow of his left foot
Invariably the left heel drags itself up
10 the right foot.
"Brrr! says the professor. you
would tip over on your nose if you tried
to stand 50! Now the violin under your
chin, SO that your check just rests on il
To keep 1t steady. Hands Off the strings,
but holding the case, 50! Elbow down.
Bow In your right hand. Oh, no, never,
my boy. That's u good way TO hold a
saw, but it's a bad way 10 hold violin
bow. There, look You. Thumb So
First and second fingers so--last two fin
gers 80.
Very clumsy tho pudgy little fingers
arc to begin with, but in few minute:
when the violin fright is worn off th,
fingers begin TO Timber up. and in sur
prisingly short time these babies ar,
saving away as natural rs life.
In Tar less time than il would take q
greater mind these youngsters know eacl
string "a well as they know their owr
NAMES, better in fact, than they knew
them when they faced Miss Watson In
the Office. Then they are crazy for /,
tune Before any one could believe Il
I possible their shrewd little wits hay,
conquered the mysteries Of the staff ant
the notes, and they are saving away a
e, u. d, G, d, a, e. with all the gusto o.
artists. The next step Is TO twist th,
little fingers so they can slide up anC
down the strings and pinch them dowr
at the proper points. and as soon as tia
4 Is done there begin TO grow variations u
the first wonderful theme
To an outsider the hour ON a bus,
Saturday afternoon Is u wonderful sigh
The mental dexterity with which tn,
clever professor handles his small schol
airs, his patience, and the interest whici
he takes IN tho poorest and least clever
OF these little FREQ pupils, Is something !,
DO admired. Professor Watson was IL,
famous Ole nulrs manager. and whei
be tnds child whose heart goes OH
Into the old fiddle that snuggles up unde
his chin hs tases him about through tl.u
rooms and tells stories Of the great mas
ter, and shows him the pictures an,
roles that hang about tho wall, TN
watch which was his gift and. choice
treasures Of ell, his violins New Yori
World
Name Of Glass Color.
Tie unique name Of class color In a