Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-24
AN UNUSUAL MUSICALE

4 nave just got home after an absence
of several weeks,'' said Washington sing
er, and hearing of the death of a certain
resident Of one of our city's fashionable
suburbs, i am reminded of an evening that
l, with Others, ospent at his home a little
while back, Which for the uniqueness-I
might almost say mystery-of our recep-
ton surpassed anything that 1 have heard
of in thel SAND line in these days of in
flexible social law
our party was domiciled at the same
cottage, and asfthere were several singers
among us!l we Had many enjoyable seasons
of song. Particularly in tn. evenings, when
those of us who toied had returned to our
abiding place. One day, after we had been
tCsetner ufor fortnight. note was
piousnt 10 our cottage by a servant, who
inquired for thelades who had been doing
the singing. We revealed our identity and
ne handed us the note, which stated that
the writer was neighbour who was in
capac1tated by illness, and whose weary
hours mad of late been comforted by so
much or the singing we did as could be
neard at the distance which separated his
nome from ours. He would make so bold
as 10 nope the note went on. that if we
couid appreciate the great pleasure we
would give an old and sick man, we would
accept the invitation which he here ex-
TENDED Tor us to call upon him at any time
tnat suited our convenience, bringing any
1rlends we desired, and give him the op-
portunity of hearing us to better adyan-
tage.
ne note caused somewhat Of a f1utter,
TOT the name signed was that of one who
Hdu some reputation for oddneSS, but after
discussion, We agreed to send a fayorabl
response, which we did, fixing upon night
at hand
AT the time appointed, with our party
augmented by several other members of
the musical fraternity, we repaired to the
mouse designated. AS the button was about
to be pushed the front door was noticed
10 De slightly ajar, and in sight through
the opening was a placard bearing the
word Enter. The door was pushed open
ana another placard was visible, contain
ing an invitation to make ourselves at
nome, as the parlor was entirely at our
disposal II was evident that we were to
meet no representative Of the family, but
we entered into the spirit of the thing, and
proceeded to take possession. The parlor
was beautifully furnished, and contained a
flne piano, and for two hours we discoursed
music, both vocal and instrumental, with
never a sight of a human being other than
ourselves, nor sound except our own mu-
sic and voices
The whole affair certainly scanned queer,
out we enjoyed the novelty of it, and
when we thought it about time to depart,
bell sounded, and Immediately the large
double doors which formed part of one
wall or the parlor We're seen to be open
ing, ana the heaVy pcrtlereS in front of
them were pushed aside, all by unseen
hands. This done, our eyes were greeted
by another large room, richly hung, in the
center of which stood a table laden with
the most tempting of viands and wines. A
third pIacard reposing the table invited
the party to enter and enjoy themselves
freely. This we did, waiting upon our
selves, using the heaviest of silver ware
and the finest of cut glass and cutlery. 1t
was charming, but we never saw a soul or
heard a sound from the time we entered
the house to our departure, three hours
later, except, as l said, what we saw or
heard of ourselves, even our parting call
or goodnight meeting with no response.
Altogether, it was one of the oldest and
most enjoyable affairs 1 ever participated
in.
I'VE subsequently received note saying
that the writer could not express the hap
piness we had given him. L hope he is at