News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1894-08-09
FIDDLEo IN THE FERRY HOUSE.
why AdOlph BrodssSy Did This and Passed
His Hat For Money.

why AdoIph BrodsiSy Did This and Passed
His Hat For Money.
Three men were standing ON the cor
ner Of Twenty-second street and Lex
ington avenue a few evenings ago when
short, stout gentleman, wearing a silk
hat came walking rapidly toward
them.
"Do you see this MANI" inquired one
of the THO, speaking to his friends.
Eyes, choruscd both.
"Well, " continued the first speaker,
she is one of the finest violinists in
America.
The short man just then passed the
trio by and walked on down Twenty
second street AS he hurried along the
three men kept watching him, when
suddenly one of them, who had been
listening to the first blurted out;
"Oh, yes, l remember him. lie is a
splendid player. I heard him play the
violin il the ferry house at st. George,
Staten Island, the other evening, and
then he passed his hat and took up a
collection from the passengers. l should
think he could Go better.
The first speaker hereupon burst out
laughing Cn hearing his friends re-
marks; then he went on:
"Why, don't tell me you ever saw
that man passing his hat There would
be no occasion for his doing that He
is the leader Of the Damrosch orchestra
and a thorough musician. That is MIR.
Adolph Brodsl1y."
By this time the person in question
was out of sight, and great argument
ensued between the friends, the second
speaker being positive that he saw the
short man play the violin and pass his
hat around the crowd, and that he him
self contributed to the pile, while the
first speaker was sure there was some
mistake. A wager was made, and the
money was posted in the hands of the
third party.
1t was agreed, as Mr.. Brodsby was
now gone, that the trio see him at the
first opportunity, and the stakeholder
was selected as the spokesman.
Mr.. Brodsky resides at 224 West Cen
trail park and was interviewed the next
day. He was rather amused at the stu
alton laid before him and explained the
affair i'll the following interesting mar
ner:
In regard to my playing with the
Damrosch orchestra" he began, in an
,swer to several questions, Il will say
that am not with that body at present,
but | was musical leader for Mr.. Dam
rosch from November, 1891, until De-
Cember, 1898. did play on the violin
in the waiting room at St. George,
Staten Island, on the night Of May II,
and as it seems somewhat strange that
performed in such an unusual concert
hall l find it necessary to make explana-
Ttion in regard to the matter. You see, l
was invited to partake in the celebration
of the fourth anniversary of the Staten
Island Chess club on that night, and
after the festival 1 was with party of
20 persons returning to New York. The
waiting room at ST. George was crowd
ed with passengers waiting for the boat,
and two fellows were playing music,
one violin and the other guitar. The
violinist appeared to be very gifted
boy. L enjoyed his playing, and took
my hat and passed it around the crowd
TO try to make a collection but nobody
would give even a penny. l then bor-
roWed his instrument and rendered some
of my favorite selections. passed my
hat around several times after that and
always got something, the donations be-
ing mostly dollars, fifty cent pieces and
quarters. think the fellows made about
$50"
The first speaker had lost the bet, but
under no consideration would the win
ner accept the money, though the loser
insisted.
The violinist who was the object of
Mr., Brodskys philanthropy was discov-
, cred to be a young man named Barney
Sinclair of the musical team of Sinclair
& Wilson. He was spoken to and cor
roborated Mr., Brodsky's story in every
particular.
But the funny part of it all was,
remarked Sinclair, that myself and
my partner were simply playing for our
Is own amusement when Mr.. Brodsky and
his friends entered the ferry house. He
thought we were playing for money.
He passed his high hat around and
threw in So bill himself. I Twas at first
inclined to refuse the money, but when
I saw all the bills I accepted it, and
tell you it was very welcome. Mr.
Brodsky is the best fellow ever met.
-New York SIM