The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-04
STRAINS OF MUSIC FROM MASTER HAND
 FILL POLICE CELL
Unfortunates Awaiting Trip to
 Jail Have Classical Feast.
Plight of Railroad Official Await ing Trial in New Jersey Ex- cites Sympathy of
 Officials

The strains of Mendelssohn's Spring song. played upon the violin by a mas ter hand. startled the occupants ot cells of the tiers at police headquar- tsrs this morning. Then came Ruben stein's Melodies in F and Traumerie Brilliant concerts, dreamy lullabies and then medleys of popular airs fol- lowed one another in rapid succession
 The artist was Edwin A. Burchiel who had been brought from the coun- ty jail to police headquarters, on completion of a sentence of seven months for obtaining money under false pretenses. He was detained al police headquarters to wait the arri- val of the New Jersey authorities who want him for the same offence.
 BurchiePs plight has excited the sympathy of the prosecuting authori- ties, yet they feel that he should be punished for his misdeeds. He tells en apparently truthful story. "Only a few years ago I began life as a railroad clerk at $50 a month. I work cd hard and faithfully and my re- ward was not slow. I made rapid ad- vancement until I occupied an execu- tive position with my road. Then came its consolidation with another road, and the consequent wiping out of my position.
 "I had lived we'll, and had spent most of my income upon my wife and daughter. She is now in college. About a year ago I became book seller, and went to New Haven. There I became broken In health. and spent three months in a hospital. On my discharge I was pennileSS and I took a chance I lost and now I'm paying for it."
 Burchiel says he is wanted in New Jersey for the embezzle1nent of $40. and only for his wife and daughter he would willingly face trial, and begin | life anew with a clean slate. But | he is anxious to get his liberty that ! he may do something for them. He fhas not decided yet whether he will force the authorities to extradite him. He may waive requisition proceedings if he wishes.
 Burchiel was arrested Sept. 29 by Court Officer Christopher Finnegan who was sent from police headquar- ters in response to a hurry call from the retail offices of the Singer Sew ing Machine Go. The officer appre- hended Burchiel at Il Summer street where he was trying to collect repre- senting himself as a sewing machine agent Later 1t was found he had obtained a number of statements of account at the office of the Sewing Machine CO. and he was following up these accounts from day to day.
 Burchiel was a model prisoner at the county jail, and was assigned to the task of experimenting the recep- ton of new prisoners. He was not al- lowed to have his violin at the jail, and Court Officer Finnegan at his ur- gent request found the instrument, said to be very valuable, and kept it for him during his incarceration at the jail. When he reached police head quarters he. was locked in a cell, and soon afterwards Einnegan appeared with his instrument.
 Buchiel was as pleased as a child with c new toy, and all morning he kept playing. even after the departure of the unfortunates who were sentenc- cd from police headquarters this morn ing. It was @ recital such as the building of many signs and tears had classical to the catchy Syncopated latter day melodies. He says he was a professional musician early in life, but did not care for music as a means of earning a living.
 Burchiel was declared a model pri- soner at tho county jail and was giv- en several places of responsibility. Here he improved his time, looking to his release, by learning a system of shorthand in which he has become pro fcient by self instruction.
 Burchfel consented late this after noon to accompany a New Jersey de- tective back to Jersey City. He de- parted on an afternoon train with his violin under one arm and a small bun- dle Of his belongings in the other.