The daily sentinel., 1910-03-29

for the education of the wonder
fully talented, il physically af-
flicted, son of the Wisconsin
country grocer. While en- route
from his little home town in
Wisconsin to New York City to
begin his musical education the
boy was interviewed by the Chi
cago lnter-Ocean. The interview
follows:
Donald Johnson. the one-handed
boy of Centerville, Wis, who is to
receive a musical education as the
protege of Ignace Jan Paderewski,
passed through Chicago yesterday on
his way to New York City, where he
will Immediately begin studying in
the Damrosch Institute of Musical
Art under the tuition of Sigmund
Stojowski, the personal representa-
tive of Paderewski in America.
In his pocket the Wisconsin boy
proudly carried letter which he re-
ceived last week from Paderewski,
who is now In Switzerland. The let
ter contained funds for the expense
of the boys trip to New York.
You must be prepared to stay
two years, wrote Mr.. Paderewski,
and during that time | will contri-
butte expenses for your living. Your
instruction will be free
1t is the proudest moment of my
life. | never dreamed of a career,
declared the boy. 1 do not think the
people in our town understand much
about art My father has only a
little store in this country town,
where there Is not even a railroad
He has been too poor to give me a
musical education or much of an op-
portunity to hear the great artists.
When Mr.. Paderewski came to
La Crosse l only hoped that he would
hear me. l thought II he could hear
me play there would be a satisfaction
in fact, the greatest satisfaction
for which had ever hoped-in hav-
Ing my music understood
Young Donald for the great event
of his life secured one of the best
seats in the theater. where he could
near the pianist to the best advant-
age. He was there early, and before
the entertainment commenced sought
the coveted attention of Paderewski.
THE famous musician, however,
was not in a mood to hear poor, un-
| educated country boys play the piano
much less lad With only one
hand. When he turned, scowling
and shaking his head with impatience
Donald's face whitened. He had
staked a lot and lost.
Blind with tears and disapnoint.
ment he staggered out of the theater.
His friends sought to comfort him,
but he had cast them off and begged
| IN hp lot ulnnn nnmp etp H.,
walked by himself, not knowing why
| or whittier he was going.
Presently there was the sweep of
the skirt at his side and hand
| touched him gently or the shoulder,
The touch nearly overcame him, for
he had been trying manfully to mas
ter the grief and sobs that were
swelling in his throat. He had only
wanted sympathy. only wanted to be
understood by some one who could
understand fie looked up through
his tears to the kindly face of Mrs.
Paderewski.
Please don't, she said, smiling,
with reinsurance. Il wouldn't feel
bad, my boy. Wen just fix 1t all
right, and never you mind. Do you
want Mr.. Paderewslii to hear your
oh, If he only would-just
once Donald answered, hope once
more springing into his eyes.
Come around to the private car
after the concert. He will hear you
play there on his own piano.
The boy was overwhelmed with
gratitude. He went back to the thea
ter and, although in state of sus-
pense throughout the evening, he en-
joyed the music, which was a feast
more sumptuous than anything he
ever before had enjoyed.
Trembling, still inspired by the
interpretations by the great master
the boy seated himself at the piano
in the private car. He would have
been afraid except that once more he
had been given confidence by that
assuring smile of Mrs. Paderewski.
He did not choose anything easy.
He started in with selections from
Wagner, then from Mendelssohn, and
the whole soul that was in him pour
ed out at his finger tips as they ling
cred or throhbed over this plaintive
or that staccato note. He would
show the great Paderewski that he
knew what was in the mind of the
composer.
"Paderewski leaped to his feet.
The long, slender fingers swept his
brow in amazement, and then the
nature of the man Joined the nature
of the little crippled boy. and he, too
drifted through the dreams and rev.
cries SO enchantingly described by
the shading tones of the piano.
The boy had been heard and un-
derstood.
You may be assured / shall not
forget you,' Paderewski said as the
boy stepped from the platform of the
car. You shall hear from me again
soon. / have never heard but one
man under your conditions who could
compare with you.
Any amount of A No. / hay at the