The evening world., 1905-11-11
GIRL V|OL|N|ST
TELLS Of CAREER
Little Marie Hall Began by
Playing for Pennies
in Street.
GENIUS WON SUCCESS.
Now Under Official Chaperon, as
England's Ward, Earns
Thousands.
BY ALICE ROBE.

Ten years ago a thInly clad little girl
with big, wisbful brown eyes was play
ing for pennies in the streets Of Bristol,
England. Sometimes pennies came In
slowly and then there was hunger and
sorrow for tho child musician.
To-day the same little girl, with the
same wistful, dreamy eyes, no longe'
counts pal,ry coins, for, where pen
MES came into her outstretched haad
before, hundreds and thousands Of dol
lars-the best recognition OF genius
are literally poured out TO her.
This Is the story OF Marie Hall, the
English vlolinist, and as l entered her
apartments In the Westminster Hotel,
In irving place, I wondered how mueh
OF her life story that has been told and
retold BY ambitious press agents would
fall from her OWE lips.
The young violInist, who lad won her
American audience al Carnegie Ha!!
iu-. as she had won England, EXTENDED
a hand Of welcome in an almost childish
maner. In the corner sat the Official
pllpcrone, the chaperone provided by
the English Government. for, know you,
this small dirk-eyed genius is called
the ward OF the British nation, and the
Government has provided an ofic.a.
comparison TO look after her In her
visli T. the wi.ds OF America,
A Word Of England.
1t was the romantic lie story OF tbs
girl that ! wanted 10 hear, free from
all anecdotes Of the press agent, ana
the slight, nervous looking young woma1
with the shcr, way brown hair fa'li1g
around her sensitive face hesitaied be-
fore she told II.
Marie Is 50 tired" interrupted the
official chaperon. She really ought
not to talk. ! hope YOU won't ask her
aUy firing questions
Little Miss Hall was all animation,
however, when she began TO tell the
story of her wonderful career The
story ~ a little unknown, who had
through her own determination and VIII
br uRht her genius into recognition.
You see, was born in Newcastle
tv.rnsy-one years ago began Miss
Hal MY. father was a musician. and
a splendid one, too, He was decided
however, on one thing, and that was to
educate mo for a harplst. ! always
loved r.n violin, and when we were
living In Bristol ! used to steal his
violin from the case and play on II.
MY father was IN the orchestra with
carl Rosa, and was an excellent In
structor besides.
his name e. EiT1gd Felix Hall, and
4. l. 49, It. sn,,1IVw VAaf I ~ VnN gVat
mus, instruction. Whol ] was five
years Old | played the harp and by
the time ! was eight | understood
music well.
My father, like many people with
the artistic temperament, was a iream-
or and even worse. He became more
and more shiftless. He lost his position
In the orchestra, and finally We became
so poor that there was no other way
for me TO do but 10 go OUT into the
street with my violin and play,
Played In the Street.
You don't think the American people
will think any the less OF me for this,
do your" inquired the little yiolinIst,
with childlike naivette. ~ don't like to
talk about this part OF my life, though,
for It is all 80 full of hardships,
"One night. when | was playing In the
street - you see, l would 20 into
public houses and on the street
corners 10 playa gentleman Stopped
and listeued to me for a long time, FL
nally he came up to me and asked me
a lot Of questions. He gave me his ad-
dress and told me TO call on him. Il
was Elgar, the great composer and
musician, and ne bouG'lt mo a new viD-
lin and gave me money for lessons.
"Hc was the first one who recognized
my genius ami who rave me enCour-
agement. His Interest resulted In my
being sent to birmingham by some
friends TO study with Max Messed In
fact, II II had not been for these dear,
kind people ! would never have accom-
pllshed anything, for we we're all too
poor 10 even live decently,
II STAYED in Birmingham three years,
and then Napier Miles took an Interest
In me and sent me 10 London.
Met kubelik There.
ION, that was the real beginning
cried little Miss Hall. Whereupon TIE
/ official chaperon gave a significant look
at me ard then at the door.
II studied In London two Yeas with
! Kruse and ;hea-l MT Kubelik. |
played for him, ard, Only think! |
played ,he same tning-the Wlenlowski
concortl-that he had played the day
tefore. Wasn't that a bold thing for
me to do? But J really wantpu MIS-
criticism, He praised me and was SO
enthusiastic that ne made arrangements
for me TO study with his W Instructor
Sevcik, IN Prague,
you know there are six years In the
course at the conservatory, and they
- -. Ia. A. zt-4l