Gilpin observer., 1899-03-30
A CAFE ORCHESTRA.
II Was Small, hut There Were DIM
cuItics In Conducting 1t.

1t Was Small, hut There were Di1i-
cuItics In Conducting 1t.
Two men were supping at a west end
restaurant which serves music along
with broiled liver. One of the men was
youngish. the other elderly. The youn
ger seemed to enjoy the music; the other
was annoyed by it because, he said, it
interfered with conversation. There
was something in that.
The orchestra consisted OF violin,
flute and piano. 1t was good music that
they played, some of it quite classical,
and none altogether trashy. They played
fairly well. too, but their performance
had blemishes. The elderly man. having
got used to the noise, as he called it,
BEGAN to recognize some harmony in it,
and once actually laid down his knife
and fork and listened. Then from be-
ing denunciatory he became critical.
"They are not bad" he said, "but
they lack something"
Eyes" replied the younger man,
.'they lack sufficient bass. They ought
TO have cello or bass viol. j."
''Or some brass-a cornet or from
bone.
~ prefer the flute to the cornet for
go small an orchestra. A trombone
would make your ears ache, for sure,
and there's enough metal in the COM
bination anyhow"
Metal? Where?'
"Well, the tones of tho piano are
produced from steel wires and the vio
lin has silver string"
.'H'm! All right Let's have cello.
then"
.'Let's"-
Just then the little orchestra started
up Hungarian dance, a very pretty
movement and nicely adapted to the
three pieces, but it had evidently been
insufiiciently rehearsed. The piano trip
ped along smoothly, but the violin
baked and wouldn't keep step, while
the flute was all in the air. 1t was real
ly painful. 1t sounded like broiled live
music, and the elderly man put both
hands to his ears. The youngish man
laughed.
1.-The pianist is mad he said.
So lie was. He lifted his fingers high
and brought them down hard on the
keys and swung his head to point the
time till his long. black Hungarian
hair was tossed about like an eques-
TRANS or the name Of runaway steed.
But il was a runaway orchestra he was
trying to guide. and it was no use.
The piece being ended, the pianist
seized his score. turned and shook it in
the face of the violinist. raped it with
his hnuckles, gesticulated violently with
head and hands. and then. returning
the score to its place on the piano. said
something in Magyar to the other lnu
aicians. which, being interpreted. evil
IDENTIFY meant:
''Now I'll show you how it ought to
be done"
And he played the theme through
with delicacy of touch and feeling
and an appreciation of the spirit of the
movement that caused both the elderly
man and the youngish man to wonder
and admire. The elderly man grew ex-
cited. -...r ri
-'Give us piano soloI" he cried.
Other auditors took up the appeal
and called, "Piano soloI' But not one
of the musicians paid any attention
least of all the pianist and leader. After
the next selection the violin and flute
players went away to smoke cigarettes.
and the pianist remained in his seat.
The elderly man, who was now thor
oughly aroused TO the Importance of a
cafe orchestra OF three pieces, walked
over and interviewed the pianist. This
gentleman arose and spoke pleasantly.
1t was true, he acknowledged. that he
needed another instrument. and he
hoped to have one next week, bat to the
suggestion that he should play solo or
that either the violin or the flute should
play solo he firmly but smilingly ob-
jcctcd. The last thing he said to the
elderly man as he bowed at the close OF
the interview was:
II should be glad to accommodate
yen. but. you see, there are difficulties
about running an orchestra. Perhaps
you would like to try it?''
Tho elderly man retreated with good
grace, and the youugish man dryly OBJ
serycd
"Isyor fellow, isn't he?"-Boston
HCr4ld.
Got Even with The Publisher.
a many authors know to their sor
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