The San Francisco call., 1905-08-13

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~ SPRING freshet and the wash
ing away OF railroad bridge
+" poured out an opera company
upon the country town. Soon
4 was spread about the news that
the manager was going TO give a per-
formance of ''Tannhauser." There was
great excitement. No town OF this size
had ever been so distin guished. Surely
the rain had come as a favor OF the
gods to the village of Purdy. And how
fondly the community loved music! 1t
could boast Of many of the most active
and tireless fiddlerS in the State. It's
singing societies were numerous and II
was not unusual to find lad OF Is
that had mastered the entire system
Of "buckwheat" notes. At church it
was given out that the opera was to be
enacted and sung on the following
Tuesday night. Tom Balch. president
of the North Run Harmony Club, rode
about the neighborhood selling tickets.
So great was the interest OF the house
wife that in several instances eggs
last the people were to be enljvened
and elevated by that great harmony so
often spoken of in the newspapers. Old
Brizintine bought ticket. He swore
that there was not a man in the neigh
borhood that could catch a tune quicker
than he. He never went 70 a revival
that he didn't come away whistling
hymn. Once fiatboat concert company
had tied up at a landing on his farm
He had not charged the company for
the use of his land. He was more than
paid in music. One of the company
could sing high or low, just as the
case might be; and his imitation of
foxhound beat anything ever heard in
that part of the country. Dan Mahoney
had heard il hve miles away, and old
Steve Hortner, two miles distant, had
run TO his door in the hope that he
might see the fox. And reckon this
company's got one 20 beat him all hol-
low" said Brizintine.
4 don't know" replied the postmas-
ter. Here comes old Limuel. Maybe
lie can tell US somethin about it,
Jucklin came UP, took a seat on
the orse-block, democracys common
throne told boy TO look out or he might
hurt himself running along, showing a
stick in front OF him, and then inquired
of Brizhltine If he were going TO the
Me? Well, I've got my credentials
right here" Briz answered. Couldn't
keep me away with ten-foot pole. And
as soCn as l hearn that they were goin'
10 give US a chance 10 taste their fruit,
i says TO my wife says 1, 'Emerline,
that means me. 1 haven't paid much
attention 20 these circuses, and stayed
home one night and shelled turn of
corn rather than go to the minstreis,
but when they come with the grand
opery that means me- That's what
said to her"
rs your wife a-goin' with your Linn
inquired.
''Wcu. no; she lowed she'd take her
money and buy a new pair of ouiltin'
frames. She's smart woman, Linn, but
she don't care particular for music. 1
used TO blow a flute before I lost so
many Of my teeth, and she always told
me I'd better be a plowin'. 1t fretted
me at first, but we can't all be artistic
You like music. don't you. Limp
L lick it UP the same as fnolasses. lin
Music is the syrup Of the mind. 1t is ab
energy gone 10 sleep. a dreamin'. If in
the soul is like a rose, music is the we
perfume" Ii
I'm glad TO hear you say that Linz" ric
Briz replied. Me and you don't always
agree, but when IL comes TO the great 70
principles we stand putty much on the EN
same platform. Now some folks ain't tn
educated up TO high music. But it fo
don't make no difference to me how ha
high they sing, can stand on tiptoe fol
and reach the notes. I'll drap by for tn.
you. Lin, and we'il go together ar
Never in an expectaHt neigliborhood Th
did time move slower. But Tuesday "V
dawned and night finally spread over bn
the earth. Old Lin and Briz were in TO
front Of the hall door an hour and i do
half before st was opened. Mrs Juck- ite
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