New-York tribune., 1908-03-08

friend-in fact the person I had come to see-was
in despair
Robertson" he said II want you to help me-"
What can do?" 1 asked
You must conduct the band
/ looked him. wondering whether the worry
could have turned his head. but he seemed quite
sane.
II conduct the bandr' 1 gasped; "but don't
know note of music.
That doesn't matter bit. You in your
dress clothes here's a stick. so come along" He
grasped me by the hand and pulled me away.
'The band know he explained quickly; they
won't really notice you, but will follow the first
vionist- You only have to beat time with the
stick and gesticulate good DEAL because that's
what the audience expects. Go on, it's all right"
During these instructions, which my friend gave
in quick undertone, we had walked from the hall
to the back of the platform. and in minute
found myself the stage.
hardly knew what was doing. 1 recoect that
bowed and was greeted with thunders Of ap-
plause.
turned to the band, and the first violinist said
nurriedly:
'Al right. beat away; the band will follow me-"
My senses slowly returning. saw the humor OF
the situation and made up my mind to act my part
I went up to the conductors desk, and. extending
my arms. gave the first beat; the band began.
To this day I do not know what pieces they
played that night. 1 beat wildly. making a
movement il trying to swim, helping on tho
volins. flutes oboes. 1 beating enphati-
cally to the 'celIos. when the big drum suddenly
set in, and leaped up into the air with fright;
had never remembered 1t there, Jumped up
and the stick few of my hand. but I beat time
with my arms. waving them franticaIly about.
In q moment two the piece came to end,
but remained beating away until I noticed that
the band had stopped: there deafenng ap-
plause-
The people got up stamped their feet and cheered.
/ bowed repeatedly and waved toward the hand q
remembered having conductor in London
do this so I thought it would be effective).
After a short interval we began the next item
the programme. my stick having been picked up by
an adnring lady, who kissed it passionateiy before
handing il to me-
I became more and energetic piece fol-
piece. and the more gesticulated the better
the audience liked IT.
We had reached the piece before the last. the
violins were making funny noise, suggestive OF
certain insects: the 'cellos moaned and gToaned,
the oboes shrieked, the cornets barked. and the
great drum and kettiedrum took 1t In turns, with
an occasional clash of the cymbals. and L waved
my arms like windmill, when a mans face
peered round the side Of the door leading to the
artists
L felt as though a thunderbolt had struck mel
1t be Herr AdoIph Krumm.
To my amaZement he came no nearer but re-
mained where he was until the end of the piece.
He then beckoned to me, and. with trembling
L approached
ordinary looking little man. like respectable
city man than a musician.
II sorry / was SO late" he began: "there
breakdown the line. 1t kind OF
YOU to take my place. L think that the manager
is going TO say few words telling the
dience what has happened and 1 will then conduct
the last piece
I gazed at him in wonder. 1 had expected him
TO fly and storm at me. and instead of that he
thanked for my help! 1 gasped ono or two
ina aaDten md
the manager step on to the platform.
He said a few words, which [ sure were
quite inaudible, and Herr Krumm came on bow
ing.
To my surprise. and. sure. his too every
person in the hall rose and hissed and hooted as
loud as possible.
He stopped one minute. then, turning to the or
chestra he gave the first beat.
"krumm, Krumm, We will have no one hut
kTumm herel'
Then began regular riot The band STONED
Herr Krumm tried to explain that he was Krumm
and that was an impostor. but they would not
listen.
The manager again came on, but he was hissed
Robertson" he said to me, at is no good; they
want you back again. Go on; it may quiet them
down a bit"
Kruum looked hopeless and shrugged his shoul-
ders; the audience did not want hiM-very well, he
would go.
With my most winning bow I again faced the
This gratifying to my talent a conductor,
| turned TO the orchestra; dead silence .reigned in
the hall but for all their poteness the players
could not repress smile.
This time l surpassed myself. l seemed 10 have
joints at all. arms were everywhere at once.
my stick again New into the audience and lodged
In ady's hat. thought ia side kick now and
then would lend to the force Of the whole but un
luckily, my leg caught of the music stands.
which over with crash.
ind ON iuF hau tpn far IA.
stick d tres.
with a bang to the end: every nstru-
ment seemed double in volume. but the applause
OF the audience made the whole force of the or
chestra sound like whisper.
l in all my life heard such noisel The
falls OF Niagara lullaby compared 10 IT,
| bowed repeat tedly and strained myself badly
bending the side for the various flowers and
laurel wreaths handed mp
The hall like parrot house.
No one doubted that | was the genuine article |
and the other only brought on TO replace me |