Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-22
THE PIANO ORGAN MAN,
And Why He Was So Constant In His Visit,
to Newspaper Row.

10 newspaper Row.
The correspondents Of Newspaper Row, on
18th street between Pennsylvania avenue and F
street, opposite Wizards Hotel. have recently
been on the verge of riot Mass meetings
have been talked of and there have even been
whispers of a lynching bee II the intentions
OF some Of the most irritable had been carried
ont there might have been a repetition of the
New Orleans affair and the diplomatic relations
between the United States and Italy might
nave been severed. for 1t is poor "Dago" who
mas indirectly been the cause of the uprising.
He is the proud possessor Of piano organ.
which has become rusty from age and it's notes
sound like the sad voice of a fog horn In the
winter time. Its repertoire is of the good old
has been character and the owner. who
Rrinds out the airs, has about rs much idea of
musical time as a policeman has of keeping
awake while he is on his beat The result OF
TINS ensemble is a musical production which it
Is feared could not even sooth the most savage
breast.
Every afternoon this son Of italy drags his
organ up the hill and stations himself about
midway up the slope on the side of the street
nearest Wizards Hotel. Then for a solid half
hour. or sometimes three quarters without
showing the least sign of fatigue. he turns ont,
without moments interruption his cantata
going over the repertoire several times No
v.
sun he plays away, seemingly satisfied and con-
tented.
on THE VERGE OF DESPERATION
The correspondents may not all be musical
critics, and most Of them are blessed with a
certain degree Of patience. Bat these matinees
have about driven them to desperation. Some
OF them have approached the organ grinder
with the purpose OF learning his untiring solicit
tude for the musical thirst of Newspaper Row.
But even mild threats have elected nothing but
smile OF supreme satisfaction. and he politely
raises his hat as they pour out on him their
maledietious, but never an instant does he re-
linqmsh his hold on the handle which he turns
necessarily. Above the din now and then as he
shifts the barrel for another tune. can be heard
a very sweet, strong soprano voice singing the
airs OF the summer opera.
While group Of newspaper men were dis
crssin9 the advisability of using a bomb or
dynamite cartridge on this disturber OF their
peace STAR reporter Joined them to learn the
latest resolve. He Immediately determined to
solve the mystery and discover who it was that
had such fendish desire for music as to paw
the organ grinder. A fow inquiries at the hotel
brought to light the whole story.
Some singers arc sympathetic and sen sitive
to such an extent that they believe their prac-
tlcing is disagreeable to every one within car
shot. They have the greatest difficulty in find
Ing place where they will disturb no one TO
do their pracscing in. This singer is one Of
these and she was ingenious enough to hire
this organ grinder to play white she went
through her musical score each afternoon, IN
order tina. the organ might drown her singing
The possessor of the voice and the discoverer
Of the organ-grinding plan for rshearsing il
Miss Lilly Post, who il stopping at Wizards
And row the correspondents are circulating
a petition assuring Miss Post that her voice is
much more to be desired. even though 1t sings
nothing but exercises. than the grandest piano
organ that was ever dragged through the streets
OF the city.