The herald., 1896-02-06
PADEREWSKI is IN TOWN
The Piano Virtuoso Arrived ID the City
Last Night
Brief Interview 10 Had With the Halo
Crowned Gentleman Of Musical Re.
nnwn-His Sad Story


late. Yet had the occupants of the first
car to the rear of the engine been known
to those who had to wait in the dreary pre-
cincts, impatience would have been tenn
pered with some excitement. Az it was,
Paderewski lsaped briskly off the train
without anybody noticing him, but, we'll
used to the demonstrations Of admirers
and the inquisitive, the great pianist re-
treated quietly into the shadows, accom-
panied only by one of his managers. A
look of relpsf spread over his features
when Manager Wyatt, who chased down
to the further end of the train, followed by
little band of scribes, arrived to dispel
it fol a moment. Only for moment,
however, for Padsrewski courteously con-
sented with a smile of resignation to sub.
init himself to the opportunities of the in
teryiewer, only stipulating that. as he was
very tired, the conversation must be the
brefest.
The pictures Of Paderewski, so familiar
to the pubic. give one an exaggerated ide q
OF his 81 9. As a matter of tact he is an
erect little figure, rather under the me-
q, UNI height. The most prominent feature
| or his personality that first engages the
vision ia, of course. the enormous crop of
hair, ana, surmounted by the orthodox silk
hat. the effect is for moment erotesoue.
But as soon as one engages in converse.
| ton with the viriuoso the charm of his
| manner makes itself felt. Paderewski
answered the yolley of questions fred at
| him by three press represen, atiyes with
| iEe klndest grace and in excellent Eng.
lish. he confessed himself pretty we'll
fatigued by the forty-three hours' travel
from San Antonio, Texas, where, his man
ager said, the enthusiasm of his crowded
hoh syn& Al
th1re was look about his eyes which be-
tokened the want of good nights sleep,
Paderewski's bearing was strikjngly alert
aid an indication of his wonderful store OF
| nervous energy. He declared he was not
anxious to go to hotel for the night before
San Diego.
"fhere is my house," he said, pointing
! to his private car, the Haslamere. 1T is a
small house, but it has its advan ages and
Lam getting accustomed to 1t now.' Mr.,
Paderewski did not refer to its advantage
! Of privacy, but his manager allowed that
sidetrack was q convenient refuge from the
| curious.
| The virtuoao continued: u have my
! own little piano there. You will like to 10
! and see it. perhaps? And we have an ex.
cellent cook. Yes, this fs my first VISIT TO
the far west, and l am much interested in
all see,"
| sand have you your son with you2na
| Paderewski, with sigh. replied, "Ah,
no; We could not take him around with US.
He ia in Paris" l,l
The melancholy of Paderewaki's charac.
ter has been made much of. and his story
is certainly sad one. He was married In
| twelve months of happiness was LETT q
| widower with an Invalid son, who has been
| the subject of lis constant, dav oted care
and solace in his sorrow. But Paderewski
| by no means wears his heart on
his sleeve; he has the pieasantest
smile and seems, to take the keen.
est interest III the ordinary details of
life. Nor was there any trace in the all
| too.brief interview of o reserve and unap-
proachableness with which many newsra-
permen have helied him. Such eccentrici-
| ties as he may be heir to have been much
exaggerated. tcr instance, there are s,o.
ries OF his very excessive consumption of
| cigarettes, but his secretary assured the
writer that in smoking, as in all other
things, with the exception, perhaps, of
practice on his beloved piano, the great
man is moderate in all things.
An inspection OF the private car proved
very interesting. The first object that
met the eye was cottage piano--a Stein
way, OF course-the case of which st,ll
bore uDmstakablo traces of the dust Of
the desert Paderewski has tried playing
while the train wes in motion, but has
come TO the conclusion that he cannot
compete with the noise of the locomotive,
| he sei2es the moments at waysitle stations
10 practice. and all unwittingly Arizona In
dians heard yesterday brief recltals with.
out having to pay 80. The car is comfor-
tably. not sumptuously, fitted throughout,
the temporary studio being in front, then
the sleeping quarters; next the dining
room. 1t may interest some 10 know that
Paderewski had been refreshing himself
with bottle of Rudesheimer and some re-
markably fine California oranges. In the
rear is the kitchen. A representative of
! the great Steinway plano firm never leaves
Paderewski. He has two concert grand
pianos-for the exclusive use of which Pad
ercwski 10 said to be paid Sl5O,OOO aea-
son-in his charge, one OF which IL always
ehipped in advance. Paderewski plays in
San Diego this evening and returns to the
city tomorrow afternoon. While here he
declares his intention of sticking to his
small house. The Haslemere. The virtuoso
apparently felt the want OF exercise after
his two days confinement on the cars, and
the night with rapid strides, his right arm
swinging in time TO his step.
Paderewski travels like prince with a
suite OF six persona, but without the slight
est ostentation. His manager-in-chief is
A private secretary transacts Mr., Pade,
rewski's private business for him, while =
valet has charge Of his priceless person,
An excellent chef and . porter constitute
the staff OF The Haslemere.
c. A. Judd sells carpets. mattings and limo,
leum at prices that defy com nett ttOn IOh