The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-30
BEFORE THE PHONOGRAPH.

II PH,
l have found my exploits at the phon-
ographS easy of accomplishment in
tersting and ludicrous at times and
Withal effective in purpose. 1t seems
incredible that a fellow being would
stand before one of these little instru-
ments and respond to my interrogations
| with an earnestness worthy a higher
| purpose, yet they do, much to my own
| amusement, for ! am rarely detected.
| My auditors, to man, become ready
| and plant victims. At the Eden Musee
| the reader may find several of these
| monographs having the large funnel
| attachment The funnel ! find an eX-
| cellent adjunct. 1t serves to magnify
my telephone voice." and to assimilate
| the tone to that of the record" so per-
fectly that one cannot detect the diff
ference. Pardon my vanity This is
true.
| A crowd had collected round the little
| graphaphone and Bryan's famous
"cross of gold" speech came slowly
from the cylinder. When the last word
| died away, l called in exact imitation of
| the record voice:
! We'll, say, how does the cross of gold
hit you? Could you hear me all right :?
A momentary silence. They appeared
credulous at first and looked for some
| Ajeeb whom they believed concealed
| in the walls.
Come, come" said the voice from tbs
phonograph Wake up, there, you,
mean, with the beaver tile. Do you
want to hear me sing?"
The one addressed pluc,ed up courage
enough to answer, Yes"
We'll, put a half dollar in the slot
| cried the voice from within.
You are very modest in your demand
A half dollar for song is pretty
price. I'll go you nickel" said thc
man addressed.
Nickel it is answered the voice
from within, "let five of you contribute
a nickel each and I'll sing any song yor
call for. Come, hurry up, there. Time
Is money, you with the red neck tie
you with the cane, and that gentleman
with the lady,
The nickels We're quickly furnished
and deposited in the machine, whilt
the now big crowd listened with inter,
| est.
Sing, You Don't Know How Mucl
Love You, said the man with TIA,
high hat. The little cylinder com.
|
came the stereotyped speech Of Bryan
Here" said the man with the cane
you promised to sing song"
IF England dares'--- rang out tn,
real voice from within.
That's not fair. You're a swindler
Where's the song? and like interjecton!
came from several listeners.
The speech ended, | began anew, anC
in explanation the voice within said:
You didn't put enough in. / neve
go below my price, Now put in enough
to make the half dollar and | sins
Down in Hogan's Alley" and | sang
| Soon I'll marry,
None but little Sally,
The idol of the boys and girls,
Down In Hogan's Alley.
1t had the desired effect and int,
the box went the complement of nickels
Again came Bryan's speech and again
the expostulations, ] grew weary o
the fun, and by way of diversion called
out:
Say, out there, l am not doing th
talking"
"Who is" asked q victim.
| The gentleman with the black derb,
hat, leaning ON the phonograph, on tn
left" sang out the voice from within.
l described myself purposely to se
just how far could carry my auditors
With apparent surprise / demanded:
do you mean me?"
Yes, you" | answered quickly
"Well," said !, II am not"
you are q liar, you are!" answere,
the phonograDh, while / walked ava,
with an injured air.
Ye Gods, it doth amaze me. Not
single person in that crowd suspecte,
my yentriloquism even after | had a
much as told them all For when
walked away they were still shouting a
the machine, / refer the reader to an,
of the attendants at the Eden Musee Il
West 23rd street,
Charles A, Hartley,
S8 w. 1S4th street, New York.