The herald., 1897-01-24


very dog.
But when he plays' DR.. Sommer
raised his eyes to the ceiling. which, FOR
the moment, represented the celestial
vault whence comes the heaven-sent gilt
of music When ne plays, this little
gypsy, his music is wonderful. II is born
in him. He is all music when he is play
ing"
The master of the Hungarian bands
was silent for a little while; looking
back. mentally, for nearly nine years.
This little 'Janos,'" he began again,
'is an ugly fellow. He is very dark and
has eyebrows in which the birds might
make their nests. He is short and square
wore, see how small RIGGS bones are
shouldered. How thin he is, this I'M
happy De Chimay said when your COR
respondent looked a the bracelet 'Janos'
wore, see how small RIGGS bones are
Small. indeed. Why his legs were so
thin that the smallest patent leather
boots would slip down from his red
trousered calves. A pygmy. In music
in his music-a giant"
Dr. Sommer waved his arms. and
brought his finger tips together, thus
embracing all the ancestors of Rigo
Jancsi
"All this little gypsy's people We're
| theves-or fiddlers,' said DR.. Sommer
He chose the respectable profession
anu MdIubTeu away llOIll lilt CdlilD w In
violin his father had thrown away.
The violin had two strings. The boy
had genius for music, and he made the
two strings talk. At first he impro-
! vised his wild weird tunes to an au-
dience of geese. He has found geese in
many of his audiences since. But they
never hissed. They followed him, hyp
Noticed.
Nothing could polish this fellow" ex-
| claimed DR. Sommers. He had a chance
| to study manners in the very best So
! Ciety here. He played to the 400" at
| Colonel Elliott F. Shepard'S house All
the women raved about his music.
He played at Lakewood. and his music
was the rage there You must disas-
sociate the man from his music. At
Lakewood his music charmed Mrs
Grover Cleveland. l have seen her, at
the hotel there. sit ard gaze as if en-
| tranced at the insignificant 'Janos
| while he played. II usually improvised.
| Beginning with what might have been
a dirge, he arose, he ascended. he flew
! upward, upward, and ended with tri-
umphant burst of melody. His music
| ians followed him without knowing
what they were playing.
From this heaven of music he created
this gypsy fell like Lucifer the instant
! he let fall his bow. How well ! remem-
| Der reception at George Goulds where
! he played. The women threw flowers to
| him. And 'Janos, thin little James,
trod on the flowers. One night he was
playing on the Casino roof. Unknown
to him, Mr.. Aronson and / were seated
near him, behind him. His insidious
| music had captivated a richly dressed
woman in the audience. She arose, and
in the sight of every one walked to him.
and leaned over him and said Please.
I beg you, play that once more And
'Janos' answered her with a leer and an
oath
"'I'll play no more he said, swear
ing, until / get a drink
was so indignant" cried DR.. Som
mer. jumping to his feet, that struck
the little 'Janos' to the earth. My ring
cut an ugly slash on his cheek. and he
bears the mark of it today. He got up,
wiped the blood from his face and re-
peated the music
when he left here he went to Paris.
and there / shall seek him. He is bound
to return here, if / say So And I shall
and, in spite of his naughty wife | shall
bring him to New York, and her with
him. Mark my words. He must come
to this country and lead a gypsy band"
INTERVIEW WITH THE PRINCESS
(Cabled by Julian Ralph)
BUDAPESTH. Jan. 10-Princess. Chi
may, of whom all Europe and America
is talking, gave me a lengthy interview
today.
l addressed a letter to her, and the
reply came: Il will see you, certainly"
| waited While she dressed, and was
then admitted to one of two large rooms
on the first floor facing the public
square. She is a superbly beautiful
woman with perfect features and in re-
ply to my first question she said: "All