The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-02

voice, which, though OF no. great range, Is
fun of rare sweetness. He sang for us,
and as the rounded notes fell from his
lips we forgot that our eyes were resting
upon an almost repulsive imbecile and we
broke forth into enthusiastic applause. in
which the strange musician Joined as he
twisted about on his stool and initiated
our motion by bringing his fat, puggy
hands together then with a chuckle of
delight he turned again to his music.
This time ii was a lively Scottish air,
and as the notes came faster. faster, one
spontaneous burst, Buddy was dancing
about much as a young elephant would
cavort, all the time clapping his hands
aud grinning until he spied sitting In the
doorway his favorite brother Dick. for
whom he made straightway and began a
systematic search through his pockets. at
last finding hts reward. with which he
went off like a pleased child.
What a curious problem this involves.
considered IN the context 81 the entire in
telectual structure OF this boy. In intel
lect. reason and judgment he Is an imbe-
ellie, entirely incapable OF comprehendlng
tho simplest conversation on ordinary
subjects, vet possessed 81 this remark
able ability 10 retain and produce every
musical rote that falls upon his sensitive
ear Placed where the work 81 the great
masters could he heard, what possibility
does not lie with the phonoeraph ic accp-
rsey ~ that memory and those ten sup
PIE fngcrsg
As questioned the mother upon the
early life IL this enigma Of nature found
that from infancy music had n strange
Influence over the child Quieted IN mo-
uent by melody. be II either vocal or In
strumental. a discordnut note or marsh
sound would cause the tiuy body to
writhe as with intense agony Later.
when the years passed and the helpless
condition ~ this boy became apparent
the fact TINT melodies followed whcn his
fingers touched the piano fia not seem 20
cause comment among the members ~
thu family, but was accepted as a matter
~ course AID the neiEhbors. who IN
this counry * stock farm and fruit
raprh ere Few and far betwesr. would
listen 70 she rnusic ~ that foolish Biair
boy. as they called him. hgt Instituted no
inquiry as to the cause 81 this phenome-
nor. IN the course q conversation I am
told that nusdg has an iunTdlnafe love ~
flowers birds and anlrnRls. Hginr into
a narrxyxni of raee when hogas or dog
IA punished IN hts presence. CHANGING ona
DAY up0n Ms brother. who WAS Killing "a
chicken 90 De prepared far the u0naaav
neal he uttered cry AZ 81 physical pain
and no hurried into the house. ehatterlnw
and EesticulntinF As he became quister
he rocked himself 20 ara FRO. booking N
no ora M for hours refusing an food
Actual physical debility follows this
condition ~ mlnA Consequently every
thing * a dlsaEreesNie nature is kept
from him. ana be now lives n = world q
his own With bis music. birds and Cow
ers: his very heiplessuess making him ere
pet ~ the family. the members az which
are iute'iigenf and entertaining
Two Of his brothers have until this last
wear been teaching school. and the sister
the only one AZ horne, bright nrat,r
girl, takes almost entire charge = Buddy.
who ebeys her every wish She washes
his face combs his hair. and tuckirg Z