The morning times., 1896-12-06
ORGAN GRINDER TO
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS
On His Daughters Birthday Wilhelm Rushed
Out and Dragged in Johann Spiegel

chamberlain, 1.-THE wine that was dis
trihuted by the generosity of her majesty
the kaiserin has-has-nniitted-''
''Himmeli' cried the emperor. 'Then
/ shall have an organ-grinder to play for
us. We will not be without music at
dinner
Snatching the hat of the chamberlain
off his head, the kaiser rushed through
the corridors of the palace anu out the great
front gate. Afar off from the entrance,
placidiy playing guponthecornarof thestreet,
stood Johann Spegel, dirty-faced organ
grinder, who played an old-iashioned organ
resting upon n stick, and whose humble in
strmnent had no pretensions to the new
time finish
II want your cried the emperor to
Johann, catching him by the shoulder.
The organ-grinder gazcd at his wild.
strange visitor. what is the matter?'
he Easred.
one OF the royal guards. overtaking
them at this moment, whispered to Jo-
ham. Other guards came flying up. In
the midst of them stood the emperor,
delighted at the orean-grinder's confusion.
Come with meu' shouted the imperial
| master, dragging the haif-dead-with-frieht
Spiegel by the shoulder. Your EN-
peror wants You to play for the birthday
feast OF his daughter
Like most musicians, Johann Spiegel
| the time he had reached the royal dining
room he had accepted the situation with
great sang froid, and was ready to play
his complete repertury.
one OF the servants, noting the ragged
condition of the mans clothes, moved a
floral screen in front of him. But the
/ emperor waved 1T away. If he is good
enough to afford amusement for us he is
good enough for us to see his face"
That settled it A private cable says
| that the couchee-couchee was one of the
list. Lohengrins bridal chorus another,
the Lorelci the third, with God Save
! the Queen in variations with ''Amerca,"
| and the 'Marseillaisc.''
| The kaiser enjoyed 1t immensely. All
through dinner the royal family chatted
| to the tune Of Johann Spiegel's organ, and
I after dinner the kaiser had all brought
| into the drawing-room. Here the ladies in
waiting gathered around the organ player
| and the assembly took ON very socialtonc
| Six little girls, the children of the nobility
| danced with the kaiser's child to the notes
| of the hand organ.
But it was quickly noticed that the
| kaiser was walking up AMI down rest
lessly at the back of the salon-his usual
| attitude when an idea was occurring to
| his mind.
Il nave it," he suddenly shouted in
| German. I'VE shall have an orchestra.
will accompany you on different instru-
ments.'
\ nod to the six boys and they scattered
in all directions, making for the rusic
hall. In Il minute they returned, each
carrying an instrument.
| Upon the crown princes stalwlrt four
teen-ycar-old shoulders there was strapped
a drum. Prince Eitcl-Frederick, thir-
teen, played a cello. Adelbert of twelve,
had brought cornet. while Augustus, and
Oscar each had u violin first and second
in the orchestra. Joseph, the youngest
boy, had mouth harmonlca, and little
Vic was given toy drum.
With Johann i'll the foreground, rId one
of the ladies aying the piano, the strange
orchestra began, with the emperor lead
ing. In one place where the mIsic was
going very smoothly he laid down his baton
and pla yed silver flute. When il came
to tie couchee-couchee-fo the rcpcrtory
| OF the hand organ W as limited--be danced.
Tie din was so overpowering ,!iat the
kalscrin with her ladies withdrew to
the rear of the salon, and DIT this move
the emperor handled the baton more yio
| lenuy than ever. Was ever d concert st
great Il success?
1t was O'Clock when the concert ended
for dinner had been at that day Ant
Johann Spiegel was dismissed with hii
pockets full OF gold. He had played FOL
| the kaiser, and on his breast there wa
writing in the kaiser's own hand: Grindel