Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-05-01
BARKER's TRIUMPH,

tOT MANY years IDdIkII huh contributed
much toward the gayety of the nation by
the oomposition-words and music-of
many Of those fascinating specimens Of art
which are known as music hall songs.
But the success of these works was no.
wise to be compared with that obtained by
the one which made land undid) him in
very short space Of time.
He was the possessor of little house at
Surbiton which suited him admirably,
also Of little wife who loved him and
thought him genius, which is even bet
ter.
True he was i'll paid for his work-one
song for one sovereign was the Alpha and
Omega of his business prospectus-but he
contrived to turn out the commodities so
rapidly that his income was by no means
despioable.
One morning Barker awoke with start
and, while he was dressing himself, there
came into his eyes for moment the near
est approach to a look of inspiration that
had ever fingered there. At breakfast his
wife noticed an unusual abstraction in his
expression.
"What is the matter, dearP' said she.
"Charlotte," replied Barker gravely,
tour fortune is made"
"You don't say sol' calculated his bet
ter half.
eyes, our fortune is made. Last night
had q wonderful dream. In my imagina-
ton 1 saw a theater filed with people. !"
Darker always preferred to describe a
music hall as theater.)
1.-THE stage footman came forward and
changed the numbers at the sides Of the
proscenium, and noticed that it was the
-.
and, to my astonishment, saw that Alfred
Richards, the great comedian, was an
nounoed to sing for the first time new
song-'words and music by Paul Co
ngny.'"
what did we have for supper last
nightH" murmured Charlotte reflectively.
Barker was hurt.
"My dear girl" he said, "please don't
interrupt until have finished my story.
Richards came on and sang my song. The
audience simply rose at him. There never
was such a success. The gallery boys con-
tinued to sing the chorus long after he had
finished. The manager heard by chance
that was in front and q messenger came
to me and asked me to go on the stage.
"Dear mel" said Charlotte.
"Much against my will 1 obeyed the i'm.
perious command of the audience. The
footlights in front of me seemed like ar
aggressive line of fire, and could only set
the people in the stalls through haze
Still 1 managed to make my bow"
But 1t was only dream" commented
Charlotte with a sigh. Isn't it a pity
Harry" she continued, "that dreams
never come trueP"
Barker drew himself up in his chail
with the air of one who is conscious o.
having happened upon a certainty.
Cautiously enough, my dear"-thii
with slightly sardonio tinge-"thii
dream will come true. l distinctly, not,
for note, harmony for harmony, remembel
the melody and orchestration of the song
The words have escaped my memory, blu
the title remains fixed indelibly."
"What was it?''
"The first line Of the refrain was, 'Um
ti-oodle-um.'
on earth does that meant" askeC
Charlotte.
What does 'Ta-ra-ra Boom de-ay' mean
or 'Hi-tiddle-hi-tiT retorted Barker
quoting the titles of two we'll known elias
sizes. 1.-THE main point, which you seem t,
have missed, is that it does mean nothing
If there were any definite meaning in tn
catch phrase, where would the fun com
imp
1T see," said Charlotte. But she wa
not speaking the truth.
Barker spent all that day in the throe
of composition. Before nightfall his man
uscript was completed and he sang 1t owe
to Charlotte, who waxed rapturous owe
abe melody.
at is by far the best thing you hav
aver done, Harry" she cried. ooh, an
10 excitedr'
The next day Barker called upon Rich
ards, the comic singer whom he had seel
In his dream. He tried to restrain his ex
element as he was ushered into the pres
ence of the great man, who, it may
said by the way, was lolling upon sofa.
Excuse me gettin up" said Richards
"Didn't leave the 'Thatch' till thi
mornin, and I've got rather head"
He did not drop his final g's because /
was smart and fashionable. The habit dat
Cd with him from an earlier period, whe
1t had quite different significance.
What have you Brought haven't ha
song that hit 'em for weeks. Sit down
pointing to piano-"and let's hear it.
Barker was trembling with nervousness
and he sang and played the first verse S
badly that his nearer was not visibly in
pressed. But when the refrain commence
Richards raised himself on one elbow an
listened intently.
"Play it again." he said. cts rippin \
And again and again Barker played II
until the comedian sprang up and, bend
Ing over the manuscript on the piano
added his lusty tribute to the feast c
sound.
Barker, flushed and expeotant waite
for the verdict upon which SO much d.
pended. Richards gave him an exulta7
thump on the back and said:
Barker, my boy, it is simply immense
It will be all over London In week. T.
buy 1t right out" He drew forth a SOY
Dreign case from his waistcoat pocket
Lets see. guinea's your price, ism
ltP'
Casually" replied Barker, "but nc
this time. / believe in the song. and IL
going to publish ii myself. You can star
In If you like"
"All right, old man, make your ow
terms. I'll bring out the song at the 4
dorado on Monday"
The eventful night arrived. Tho I
dorado was crowded and there was ju
enough tobacco smoke in the air to NAL
1t pleasantly fragrant-for those who Ill
the smell of tobacco.
Richards appeared on the stage and W
warmly greeted, for the wag was very pc
ular. He always repeated the refrain of
song twice after each verse SO as to emph
size its merits, but the success of Cum
oodle-um" was so immediate, so absolute
assured, that the audience called him
again and again so that he might repe
his enchanting lay.
RaHkar and hia yUif cat how In