Evening journal., 1903-09-15
Evening Story.
"A MUSICAL
NATION
By RAYMOND RAYNE
Copyright, rsos. ty T. Q. Mccsus

lemnlIs outIo OF Ccftulu NlfluOSi
without hurting their very sensitive
feelings.
When Pan Ogle Trepanowsld wrote
to me from Poland In this sense, my
first impulse was to indlte a very firm
refusal Reading his letter a second
time. however, l gathered from the
mixture or English and what appeared
to be Yolapuk. IN which his intentions
were conveyed, that be Nas following
on its heels with such truly artistic
impetuosity that no reply could pos
sibly reach him in time to prevent his
departure.
All his qualifications were duly set
forth. OF course his hair (he inclosed
a photography and his names were un-
exceptional; the rest / did not 20 into.
1t was quite out Of the question for me
to run any planoforte virtuoso on my
own account, unless indeed It had been
the Paderewsli himself.
On the morning OF the 14th rc-
ceived a telegram ccuched in these
terms: Locomotive tweive hours per-
NIT that one encounters me to the sta
ton Trepanowski." On solving this
he had evidently got II word by word
from a dictionary gathered that the
professor was coming by way OF Que
bee on the - O'Clock train, and wanted
TO be met az the station.
went down myself and saw the
train IN. Pan Ogle was there-a private
detective could not have missed him
He stood well over six feet and was
broad even for his height. Despite the
warmth Of a summers day be wore
an immense fur lined overcoat with
collar and cuffs OF sable.
He spoke English rather worse than
he wrote It, but fortunately understood
fairly well what was said to him. He
was full Of questions about the series
Of concerts which he supposed had
already arranged for him. I avoided
giving any definite replies as well an
could until we reached the house.
During luncheon I was saved any
trouble by the artists appetite, which
was well sustained and did credit to
my housekeeping. We retired to the
music room. and got Pan Ogle behind
q big cigar before breaking to him that
/ had not yet arranged any concerts.
/ told him that many most deserving
foreign artists spent their first decade
in New York in playing for nothing at
the functions Of wealthy patrons of
the art and IN giving their services nt
charity concerts. OF, in fact wherever
two or three could be gathered together
10 hear them / said that was popu.
lar error into which all Europe seemed
to have fallen i told him we were The
most musical nation in the world
sank my voice TO a confidential whis
per- l said, "The real reason we cannot
get audiences is that for some time pasi
listeners have been TO a man (or wo
mani better performers than those on
the platform"
Pan Ogle looked incredulous. 1t was
time to lead trumps / said, 81 viii
wager anything you like that the first
tradesman who calls at this house this
afternoon viii play you any one OF
Beethoyen's sonatas you choose to
name"
Pan Ogle laughed aloud
"You make what you call ze fun, IS
It mott" he asked.
II was never more serious in my
life," replied. rang the bell, and the
servant entered.
"Parl1in,' I said, task the flrst trades
man who calls TO step up here"
"Air. Blunt, the pork butcher, is down.
stairs now, sir" said ParlSin.
''Well, ask him to spare mo mo-
ment or two"
"Yes, sir replied the impassive Par
kin and disappeared.
The door opened, and Mr.. Blunt
walked in. He was 10 his shirt sleeves
and had on the blue apron which seems
inseparable from the vending OF pork.
what can l do for you today, sirr
he said. II have just started a new
line Of sausages which / can thorough
~ recommend. 1 call them the Dimin
uendo brand merely for distinction
They taper toward one end, you sec"
1 suppressed a smile.
ut was not in connecton with youi
-er-profession that wanted to sec
you, Mr.. Blunt Do you play the pi
amor
'sWell, do, sir. or, rather, / did. In
/. fact, l very much wanted to so in fol
the music when left school, but my
: father would not hear Of 1t. He saic
there was no money I'm it. 'The music
business is played out he would say
There are too many at it. But the ar
OF making sausages VIII always pro
vide competency for the few
"Qulte true, Mr.. Blunt" l asseRted
"Now, the professor and are at issue
! as to the tempo Of a movement in onG
OF Beethoven's sonatas, and l should
be greatly obliged If you would play 4
: TO us. 1t is the first movement Of opui
] The pork butcher sat down deferen
t tally on the piano stool. presenting I
! slngularly unmusical spectacle.
} II have not had any practice fo'
months; still to oblige customer" anG
he struck the commanding phras'
which begins the introduction.
Before he had played many bars tn
pork butcher had disappeared and tn
artist wac revealed. The coiossa
phrases Of Beethoven's last sonat'
wore given out with a certainty, a re
strained force. a nobility Of tone, an al
] compelling rhythm, which took the lis
, tener by the throat
Pan Ogle Trepanowski leaned for
ward in his chair and gasped for breath
When the last chord had died ava
there was a hushed pause. Then th
professor burst forth into torrent 0
D polyglot superla lives. He embraced III