Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-10-06
A MUSICAL EPISODE
BY MAXINE WRAYBURh.

hCOME ALONG, George" said a
tall, dignified looking young fel-
low as he lightly pulled his friend by
the sleeve. Haven't you had enough
of that music by this time? See, those
girls are singing at us already. The
whole crowd will be looking at us in a
moment"
81 don't care II they do" remon-
strated George, laughing, TO the great
CONSERVATION of his friend Evans,
That girls voice is beautiful, and, hang
it, Mac, what difference does it make if
IL is on a street corner? I've never
heard better music than that little
bronze girl over there is getting out Of
that violin"
Evans scanned his surroundings su-
perciliously.
81 thought you had better taste than
that1-to say nothing of the fact that
you pretend to be a connoisseur in mu-
Sic" said Evans, who was in the habit
bf Judging musical affairs by the price
of admission tickets.
$50 do" protested George, "and for
that very reason / know it wherever !
hear It."
The cause of the disturbance was a
trio of street musicians, consisting Of
n swarthy, handsome featured italian
harpist, and two of Italy's picturesque
daughters in native regalia. One car
ried n fine old violin, and the other one
whose principal contribution was n
voice, carried tambourine,
which, when not on orchestral duty,
was used to collect money from the
crowd.
They had stationed themselves on
one corner of the park. The whole
square was dotted with admiring knots
Of listeners, and together with those
Immediately surrounding them the
people numbered several hundred.
Evans and his friend were passing
close by lust as the musicians had be-
gun that exquisite bit Of melody and
sentiment, "Good-by, Sweet Day." and
George, who loved music next to his
lately aflianced bride, Geraldine
Brooks, stopped directly in front OF
them and refused TO move on.
As Evans had prophesied, the crowd
gradually began TO sec that the CO
quettish signoritas were directing
their attention TO one, particular spot
whereon stood these two particular
young men.
"This Is awful" said Evans, in tones
that sounded Ike the sotto voce OF n
polar bear Don't let's make n spec
tacle OF ourselves. Let's get away be
fore everybody sees us"
But George only smiled, quiet, re-
ceipted bill sort of smile.
"Thcre isn't anything 80 very ter
rible about it," he protested, as he pro-
ceedcd leisurcly to ignite the end OF
the familiar rice paper cylinder, and
leaned up comfortably against post
as though he meant to stay.
81 want TO hear some more OF this
music. I tell you It's fine! II puzzles
me to see why such musicians are
walking the streets. They ought TO be
strung out In coupes on their way to a
concert hall ] only wish Geraldine
and Miss Raymond were here so they
could hear them. too"
Maude Raymond was n guest Of Miss
Geraldine Brooks, with whom the dig
nifed Mr.. Evans so thoroughly be-
lIevcd himself In love that he was nj
ready framing the stately words for n
solemn proposal.
"Arc you coming?" repeated Evans,
with a look of offended hauteur, as he
began TO push his way through the
crowd. But just then the opening
strains from "The Angels Serenade"
lulled all other sounds to silence, and
needless 20 say George stayed. As the
last tones melted awny he stood In
blank bcwilderment. II seemed as
though he had heard that exact rem
dering before. But his meditation
was interrupted by the singer herself
who at that moment stood in front OF
him with the tambourinc in solicitoua
position. She smiled with audaciouH
bcwitchery, and George, not yet out
Of his revcry, dropped in n dollar.
A few hours later Mr.. Evans and
George were ON their way to the
Brooks residence for an evening call.
81 hope Miss Brooks hasn't heard OF
your devotion to the street musician u
said Evans, with slightly starched dig
nifty, ms the door opened to admit
them.
However rcmiss George might np-
pear concerning his devotion to his
fiance, there was no impeachinR his
intentions, and he experienced chill
OF amazcment as he realized the fact
that the temperature Of his reception
that evening registered somewhere
| around the freezing point. However
the four people, properly divided. soon
drifted into diagonal corners Of the
| room.
81 heard about your Irritation this
| afternoon" began Miss Brooks. sar
castically 1T must have been very
| divcrtin0 and digni-"
"My nirtatlonl Why, Geraldine. you
know better than to think would dc