Omaha daily bee., 1915-05-22

a friend Of Mr.. Epnets, but know his
position.
The SWIMMING Hole.
OMAHA, May Alto the Editor Of The
Bee: Breathes there a man who never
feels when summer comes a loneliness?
Who, DER his heart no longing steals,
that tongue or pen cannot express, when
he beholds a flock OF kids. stripping their
shirts and shoes and lids. tying them up
in solid roll. then plunge headlong in
the swimming hole. Who is he that this
dream will shun? II such there be am
not one. Each time see the naked back
of a boy with gravel in his ears, my mind
slips DER the backward track to snatch
a glimpse OF bygone years.
A mile from the village where was
raised, in shaded park where the town
herd grazed; where Soldier creek and the
kaw unite-was a pool where the fish
would never bite. for all day long could
be heard the noise of a hundred bowling,
screaming boys. Finest place in the Sun
flower state: grapevine cigarettes to
smoke, luxuries that boys can appreciate,
such as noxious ivy and poison oak;
swtns-ropes wove out of flags and grass,
q slippery slide as smooth as glass: CHG
gers, mosquitoes and bumblebees, bull
snakes coiled In the hollow trees: nature
and art worked hand in hand to make
young hearts with Joy expand.
A heavy springboard anchored deep,
twelve feet above the rivers edge; and
the youngest lad could take the leap. and
split the water like a wedge; he runs and
jumps. the tough oak bends, straight up
he flies. turns and Observation-Disclosures
he strikes and disappears, then every kid
with squeals and cheers. follows the
leader. runs the plank. each hits the brim
when the last one sank.
Never again with sunburnt hide will I
wtggle and squirm in the cool, soft mud:
nor enjoy Wild and perilous ride on a.
whirling log. when the waters flood: no
moro engage in shirtsleeve plots, nor will
others laugh while I'm chewing knots.
No more win mother inspect my hair.
ana reach for the strap while solemnly
swear upon my honorable word and soul.
that haven't been near the swimming
hole. 10. q. M.INTosH
The simple Music Of the Heart.
OMAHA, May 2.-ro the Editor of The
Rec: A deep secret Of the power of
Bach's massive music in his apprecia-
zion OF the richness and grandness and
soul OF the simple chorale, or hymn. In
all the maze OF learning In Bach. his
sdngie-hearted sense OF simple heart
music OF the people and for the people
brings the mighty masters productions
closer home. The reason why SO much
Iltra-modern music fails Is It's divorce
from the sublime simplicities OF the
human heart.
Once a friend of mine, teacher Of
languages said that the explanation OF
the fact that they who are not born TO
the language of the land, but have ac-
Quired it by study only, seldom attain
to mastery Is: They have not started with
the nursery rhyme. the child prattle, the
childhood story. the speech Of the little
folk. They have never been in the kinder
garten OF language and hence lack that
native idiom OF the heart which is the
finest soul of language. The same ap-
plies to music Eliminating the Sim
plicities" OF rag-tims and coon song,
which are corruptions, not simplicities,
the true musical soul can not afford to
lose touch with the noble folk song. I
wrote some time ago. In connection with
Mr., and Mrs Kelley's "folk-song con-
cert" of the influence OF this simple
form of music. We might add the pur-
est OF the churchs hymns. Why not also
some OF those ballads end solos which
spring directly from the fields OF life.
odorous as the wayside rose? Home
Sweet Home" there is one, dearest. per-
haps, OF all native heart-effusions!
To restore in the home and in social
circles the cultivation OF the simple music
OF the heart is TO restore the resonance
OF the musical soul Rossni was once
present at a musicale in the home OF
Baron Rothschild OF Paris RossinPs
works were sung. The mAster-voices OF
Paris sang. BY a chance Rossini had
heard that a young Swedish sonRstress
was present in the company. The master
knew OF the loveliness of the Swedish
folk songs SO he urssd. through his
host. the daughter OF the north &c sing.
she sang that marvellous melody.
''Neckens PolskR" (song OF the water
sprite). Rossini asked for more verses.
Finally he fell into a reverie OF silence.
After a long pause, he exclaimed: such
a melody I can not write" abraham
Markell. History Of Music" volume 2.
1880.
The mere academic study OF music will
not make a musical people. Music IL
heart-language. To be national. II must
sing itself forth out OF the heart OF the
nation. Music academies may produce
some critical musical connoisseurs, gour-
mands of tone. experts OF technique. A
musical people will pc so only from the
nursery rhyme up. from the foDS-song
on, from the chaste and expressive re-
ngious hymn mixing a Tifht In the skies
everlasting.
II our American communities had not
the influx OF foreign Eationalities. in
which the folk-song is indigenous. we
would not today have tho music We have.
Yet Il is apparent that the fine old
traditions are too quickly lost by the
Immigrant. They represent thousands OF
years OF folk culture All. we need the
folk soul IN music In America. II We
shall ever rise 90 q true musical Renais-