Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23
Der Poys in Schiller's Haus
Continued from page 4

That those who heard laughed at his broken
English did not improve his temper; but when
had once more been suPplanted by melancholy.
The orchestra-his orchestra-did not observe
his entrance. 1t was in the full swing of stir
ring march, and the new director, smiling with
creation, was waving aloft baton held in one
bejeweled hand while filling in chords with the
other. baton! A baton-when he, Schmidt,
could make them do his will with eloquent fin
gers that beat and beckoned, opened and
closed, and were never used in paltry march!
Surely the man from the Royal German band
was fool to beat march time for seven men
each of whom artist to his 6ngertips!
He was SO disguised that he ate his dinner
without ever looking up. He did not answer
The squat old stein on the plate rail above his
head was no more speeches. than he.
NOW the place was filling up with the chat
terers, the late diners, the frivolous sight
seers, who came because Schiller's Haus and
Schmidt's orchestra were famous. Already,
with chairs scarcely warmed, they were calling
for their favorite selections. Herr Schmidt in
his corner sneered openly at the actress looking
person who wanted the ' Dill Pickle Rag" and
laughed derisively at the overdressed and
coiffured occupants of table who cried into
their plates after demanding the mawkish
Rosary" He had always detested the Ros-
ary.' gruff voice demanded "Kammenoi
cants face, and when the man turned openly
thanked him.
dot is museec, mein HERR" he said CRATE
fully, and the man stared at the white haired
old fellow as though believing him insane.
The orchestra began the piece with the new
director trying to enforce another tempo of his
own. The clarinet player, gray headed were
all of Schmidt's orchestra, looked up and for
the first time sighted the outcast. He
excited that he played goosenote, and Herr
Dipple, amazed and wondering what could have
caused such a mistake whirled round in
his seat and sighted Herr Schmidt. He too
distinguished himself with false note; but,
without appearing in the least contrite, re-
moved his instrument from his lips and waved
his hand, leaving blank an effective passage.
The cello player half stood and, reckless of the
new director, paused to wave his bow above his
head.
frantically trying to bring his players to time
again, and was gesturing like puppet in a
marionette show, his hair tossing wildly and
his voice drowning the instruments It was
too much! People over all the great blackened
old hall were beginning to rise to their feet and
laugh. They were even offering suggestions to
the puppet who was tearing his hair in rage.
IN the corner, beneath the stein whose goblin
namely sneered, a table was sharply over
less of appearance Herr Schmidt rushed out
and took the steps of the orchestra two at a
time. He caught the puppet by the coat collar
and showed him down the steps.
Get oud'' he yelled scornfully. Get oud!
Got i'm HimmeA Who told you that you di-
rector was? You to lead my band!"
There was lull over the place. and even the
delicatessen man and the Herr Doctor were on
their feet. The manager, attracted from an
other room by the uproar, came hurrying in
Herr Schmidt sighted him and in his gutteral
voice that beloved with oldtime resonance, adj
dressed him clear across the hall. Il stay
ere-now-always for der whole time!" he
called. Der poys can't blay already widoud
me. See! Dey blay for mel"
Then he turned to them and, in the uproar
of applause from old admirers and babel of ex-
citement, said quite softly but in a voice that
reached his 'poys, ." Now we blay dot be-ea-ut-
iful biece Kammenoi Ostrow,' und we blay
it! Heinz"
And as he again felt the worn old keys be-
meath his fingers and heard the splendid, wall
ing song from instruments that throbbed to his
lead, he made his decision. The last note of the
finale came The applause seemed never to
end, and to the manager who had come back
to seize his hand, he made his only explana-
ton:
"He,ans NIT der money!" he said I'D can
stay der banks inside. 1 blay NIT der poys in
Schiller's Haus!''