Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-22

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fixed and Interchangeable was the tune played by the
orchestra. This must always be the oldtime jig,
without variations fourishes. Frequently the
chestra leader demonstrated pointing out that
tune played in the same kind of time would answer
just we'll, and lend variety. But Noah was obdur
ate: it must be his own tune, or there would be
dance
As Noah was the antithesis of obstnacy in all other
things, the orchestra leader puzzled over the mat
ter Finally he made the discovery that the colored
man had become very deaf 1t seemed clear that his
for insisting having the tune played
had something definite to do with his Deafness but
just how not apparent since in any event he could
not hear the music By carefully watching the negro
during the rehearsaS however, the leader discovered
that while dancing Noah never took his eyes off the
first violin; that indeed he not dancing to the
music but to the time of the vionists bow which in
of the particular jig in question marked the time
perfectly.
The orchestra leader said nothing of his discovery
but determined to have some fun at the negro's
pense. He arranged the music so that the wind nsr
should carry the air. and instructed the first VIC
inist to play kind of contralto part that would give
indications of the time by the motions of the bow
When the next time came for Noahs dance the orches
ira struck up the old familiar tune, and the negro
gorgeously arrayed, took his place ready to dance
his face wreathed in ebony smile. He poised
foot watching the volinst for moment, his smile
Taxed little. He waited moment more; but he did
not begin dancing. Several times he nodded vigor-
ousy to the volinist, and when response came he
leaned and said bandy
"N1isto Fiddler, will you please play Sah?"
Since all this time the orchestra had been roaring out
the tune apparently the ever the audience
garded this as of Noahs variations to his regular
performance and began to laugh. Noah on his part
sorey puzzled After repeating his request second
time and waiting moment for the response, he finally
broke into his dance. regardless of time. 1t a
weird performance, one of the most fetching he had
done. Here the negro furiousy ap-slapping
the boards in one kind of time, while the orchestra
played another. To anyone but deaf person it
thing almost impossible to do, and the audience showed
its appreciation by vigorous applause and peals of
laughter This the last straw; for Noah supposed
that they jeering at him. With his face even
deeper ebony color with rage he stopped dancing leaned
over the footlights, and shouted at the violnist:
"Look heah, Misto Fiddler, you play, or l stop
dancn!"
And when the vionist kept sereney with the time
less bowling the enraged negro hOunced off the stage
PUT it isn't always the performers who have jokes
- played on them. Sometimes it is the manager. Or
again the actors play doubtful and sometimes danger
Gus practical Jokes one another, which must be
winked at within certain limits particularly the par
Elephants star performers.
popular form of entertainment is play or sketch,
that has been written arranged by some aspiring
citizen playwright. Usually such plays modelled on
of the familiar oldtime dramas, perverted to suit
the taste of the playwright the audience. Dramatic
acts and situations always at premium in these
plays; but by all the most popular of these acts
is where somebody, hero villain, gets chance to
shoot, stab, slug policeman For be 1T said to the
credit of the buecoated city protector that they are
the most thoroughly hated of class of persons IN the
world by the Walled City inhabitants
Whenever possible policeman is introduced as one