Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18
A VETERAN OF THE STREETS.

prone to get out Of order and they can't
stand rain.
The ordinary street piano lasts about
two years without repairs, according to
the point of view of the performer. The
listeners frequently believe that the music
could be improved II repairs were put in
more frequently. But the italian organ
grinder is firmly convinced that until he
can no longer turn the crank his 1nStru-
ment is all right. A little note slipped
here. d tune played sharp fiat with
sudden and SpaSmodic haltS. neceSsitat-
ing much turning Of wheel and twisting
much as it does those who listen to his
efforts. He vii! cheerfully grind tune to
the consistency of German sausage II
the crank holds out.
The man who makes the street pianos
in New York is an obliging but business
like individual. and he objects to any
long system of credit being instituted at
his expense. He is simplicity personlfed.
A person wanting a street piano writes TO
him explaining that he desires a $50 or
$500 Instrument and mentioning what
tunes he prefers. With this letter he for
wards little advance remittance OF. say,
$40 or $50 or $50 In due time the gentle
man in New York reads and pockets and
is enlightened by the letter. Then he
writes neat little reply. explaining that
he will send the machine, together with
his best wishes and the love of his family.
provided the august person with whom he
Is uPallnS Will deposit lUe VI
the price in a respectable New York bank.
If this is done the piano is forthcoming.
There is no foolishness about the man
in New York.
The organ grinders live in style that is
frugalty itself 1t is little short Of won
derful the amount of nourishment they
can get along with Bread. rice and.
on gala days ham are the staple articles
of diet These are always supplemented
with little beer. Beer is the only luxury
that the Italian allows himself.
On these slender rations the men will
work for day. pulling the heavy pianos
up hill and over cobblestones without ap-
parent fatigue.
Food for Philosophers.
To the student Of human nature there is
much in the methods of the organ grinder
that furnishes food for philosophers. All
have read Aesop's fables and have doubt
lessly smiled at the silly crow who was
deceived into dropping the cheese. Yet
the men and women of Washington are
blandished by winning smile and a low
voice, by subtle compliments and acquired
mannerisms. into forking up when the
organ grinder plays. 1t is the business
of the organ grinder to study his audi
ence and to know from whom he can get
money.
methods to use in individual cases.
Who has not seen the weary organ
grinder walking with a mournful shuttle
along the sloppy street on rainy. cold
unpleasant day? Everybody has In
stinctively the hand of the soft-hearted
old man or woman goes to his or her
purse and a coin is given to the unhappy
musician. There is something so beauti-
fully pathetic about the way his collar is
turned up and his clothes bedraggled that
the average man cannot avoid helping him
out
Therefore. the organ grinder prays for
a rainy day. When the weather is good
he must exercise all of his bOuntiful good
nature and articles to part a reluctant
public from its money. But when the day
is bad he simply has to look sorrowful
The weather will do the rest.
One of the old white haired men who
has an interest in one of the plutocrat s
pianos always chooses a day that is wet
for his best work. He wraps himself up
warmly and puts on boots and saunters
forth. Now it happens that this old
mans collections of pieces is the most
mournful in Washington He has moth
ing more hilarious than Tell Mother
Am Dying" and most of his selections