The Red Cloud chief., 1912-07-18
TheSyrnphony


The manager was beside HIMSELF
with excitement, but the people be.
fore the curtain did not confuse him
half as much as those behind.
The weekly prizes Of 81, 81, and IS
were always contested for eagerly by
the people of the Latin quarter.
whose patronage the house solicited,
and more especially this Friday
night II seemed The manager knew
why such an unusual number el.
bowed and pushed each other in their
eagerness to get near the door.
The winners Of the coveted dollars
would not squander them this week.
Instead, they would send them direct
ly to the homeland, where relatives
and friends were in terror and suf-
fering.
"They can't all go on, Steve" said
the manager to his assistant, well
have to thin them out. See what
kind Of q turn each one does and
take the best; get the funniest ev.
cry time. The people have cried
enough this week-they're paying to
be amused tonight, SO be careful not
to get any weeping.willow acts.
Hustle up, now! I'll look after the
seating. The law allows US to squeeze
In 100 more"
The assistant hurried behind the
scenes and began sorting the per.
formers. It was no easy task, and
many we're the threats and curses as
one after another was refused
chance to 60 on. He had almost nm.
ished his selection when he came to
q swarthy little man In the costume
Of . Sicilian peasant.
"Hullo!" said the assistant. What
do you do. Speak up?"
me playa de pian." said the little
man, moving his fingers over an
Imaginary instrument. me playa
good. Ye-es."
mo pianists." said the assistant.
moving on. People no like. Get the
hook. Understand"
"But-me playa nice Me no getta
,da hook. Me maka da plan to talk"
mo doubt you can make 1t walk,
but I can't let you try. Next"
The little man turned away. NUT
tering as his fellows had done, and
the curtain went UP for the first per.
former.
There was something wrong with
the audience that night. 1t was ex.
tremely critical and hard to please
The merriest jokes fell fiat and the
cleverest trickster was only family ap
,plauded.
'It's funny" said the manager as he
and his assistant met In the rear Of
the hall. what ails them? That last
song was we'll done and mighty
catchy. Why don't they clap?"
Il don't know" said the other
,gIoomily. AT the rate they're turn
ing 'em down the whole bunch coult
have gone on. What! told thai
fellow to keep off,"
The little man In Sicilian costume
was standing in the middle Of th'
stage. He looked bit OF old Ital!
with his curly locks and long golf
earrings. 81 come to play to you o
the homeland" he said in his NATIVE
tongue. II have the music that cal
make you see it as It lies in the sun
light. It will make you see the sea
the olive groves and the clear blu
sky. Listen!"
The audience grew suddenly still
.as he seated himself at the piano ant
struck q few soft chords. Then tn
notes began to weave themselves ir
to a story. and as the musician ur
folded It to his listeners his fac
grew rapt and was beautiful.
When he stopped. the crowd brok
into frenzy Of applause. Men sobbe
;and women screamed.
"WhatTl he do next?" asked tn
manager. "The man is a wizart
That's fine! He's playing the Italia
National air. Hurry up, Bowley. an
throw the pictures of the king an
queen on the screen before they sto
isinging. The roofll fall with thei
noise"
When the lights were turned O
iagain tho excitement had spent itse
"a little, the man who had caused 1t a
was gone. A reporter for one Of th
,dailies came hurrying up and seize
the manager by the arm.
How'd you get him, Davy?" b
asked. "Where is he? l want to II
terview him. Quick. before he e
capes!"
Hes gone already" said the MAJ
ager. II wanted to see him. too. He
Just the man for the place"
The reporter stopped him. DO yc
mean to say you don't know who
was?" he cried. HE was Lorenz
the great composer"
II was thinking some Of hiring hi
at 15 per-" he said. The next minu
he added thoughtfully: What do W
suppose made him do It? He mu
have had reason"
Hurrying homeward was the lit
man in peasants costume.
"Ah! they understood" he muse