Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-14
THE POWER OF MUSIC


In one of theslocal music stores the other
day several statesmen were relating expert
ences connected with the craft. when one
of the party, swho had been a dealer in
organs in a small way in western state,
where he had acted as agent for a big con-
Germ in supplying the local trade, grew
reminiscent. % AT
Il rememberuan incident connected with
the sale of those cottage organs that has
somewhat the flavor of the David Harum
boss trade said he. MY rival in the Or
gan business In the western town was one
of the slickestT statesmen that ever cajoled
the elusive currency from folded fist.
That feliow-hisa name was Bishop-sold
organs to nearly every family in three
counties. We got our instrunae nts for about
$2S net. and the regular selling price was
$50.
Bishop had light wagon constructed
especially for carrying cottage organ
and he would load in one Of the instru-
ments and. together with his assistant, VINO
was fine musician, would start FOR the
country.
lone day he drove to a farm owned and
managed by a wealthy old Irish lady who
couldn't tell music score from base Dall
tally sheet. As Bishop and his assistant
drove up to the house with the organ III
the wagon the old lady came out before
the door and with her arms akimbo struck
a Delsartean pose suggestive OF naughty
decision, and sold:
Take thot thing out av me yard! Move
on wild yez. I won't have no music boxes
around me- Don't We dare to take it out
av the wagin. or I'll break it open via an
AK.
"'Oh. I didn't intend to take the organ
out, Mrs. Murphy, said Bishop, only
wanted to water the horses
1T was a warm day, and. after watering
the animals. the two began conversing
pleasantly with Mrs Murphy until her ag-
gressiveness relaxed. Bishop declafeo II
was too warm to take to the road 1or
awhile and that they would have to rest.
He presently induced the old lady to let
them put the organ under shaue .ree
out of the sun. The two consplrators
against the peace of the household strolieo
aimlessly about the, yard ana AFTER
| awhile the young fellow opened up the or
gan and began playing lively airs with the
Irish sticking out all over them. de was
an excellent performer and he coaXed all
the Irish out of that instrument there was
in it and presently Mrs. Murphy peeped
out at the door. The assistant played
through his. list of airs and started on
some of the old songs dear to every native
| of old Erin, using the stops and pedals
with great effect.
land phwat do yez ask fer a thing like
thot% the old lady presently asked the
bishop.
1--WE usually get s75 for that organ he
| replied indfferently, and went on saunter-
ing about the yard.
1.-The music continued. and after few
minutes Mrs. Murphy asked: Would we
sell 1t any cheaper fer CASH.
" No. says Bishop, that's the lowest
cash price
Mrs. Murphy walked back to the house.
Finally the young man closed the organ
with a snap and backed up the wagon
preparatory to reloading. Mrs. Murphy
came out with unmiStakable interest VlSi-
BILE in her countenance. She looked the or
gan over moment and then said
Now. Mr.. Bishop, couldn't ye throw
off s. if I'd give we cash money!
+" No, said he, this organ is the one l
am using for a sample and it's one of the
best. l don't care to sell 1t anyway, but I
have some down at the store, and he went
on reloading. - -
The old ladys Irish blood was up She
couldn't let an instrument that could ex-
press the sentiments of those old melodies
so sweetly escape her, so she said: 1 don't
walt a minute, and she lodged into the
house where the family bank. consisting OF
an old stocking was opened and she count
ed out S75 for the lucky salesman.
THE organ was placed in the parlor. the
assistant taught the old lady chord, and
as they drove away. they could hear her
hammering on the organ with excruciating
results. Down the road for a half a mile
they could hear 'tum, tum-tum. tum. tum-
tum,' as she endeavored to get her money s
worth The only time it afforded her salts
faction, however, was when some visitor
who could play dropped in and then the
music of old Erin could be heard from the
roadway for hours