New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-05
THE IDEA OF BALINT, THE GYPSY

PLAY for us. Balin,." cried his comrades.
And the more the report spread about the
cantccn that there was gypsy on hand with
70 fiddle the stronger we're the calls for him.
In order 20 be nearer the music some officers
came Oh. Of the neighboring room and seated
themselves among The soldiers. For. al
though there we're many gypsies in the Hun
garian regiments. few of them had brought
their Gddes along TO the war
tnd Balint Played
Balint lei them call for him until they
simply dragged him by force out OF his
corner. Then he played many songs. most
&C. them German. since some Of the allied
German officers also sat there. And they
sang with him. together with the majority
Of the soldiers. who understood no German.
"Now. gypsy song. Bslint?' suggested a
IonvcG officer
Bella bowed and then tuned his dddle
deliberately. # was certainly poor instru-
mcut. Tor Bella shrugged his shoulders as 1t
be meant 20 excuse himself in advance IN
"a 20 he fell below tho proper standard. Then
he drew the bow. Few short prelIminsries.
then a run. very soft and sweet. like the
''vitter.ng OF birds.
"Ah. that ia the song Fly. Sparrow. the
Huncaran7 explained IN whisper 20 the
Germans.
The room was absolutely still; all sszed
attentivciv through the smoke clouds gath
,red under the low roof A. first they listened.
absorbed and eager. then with continually
growing rcstivencss and discomfort The
thing did not go right Having begun splen-
Cidly Balini now played falsely and hesitat-
ngly lie had not gotten half through the
ciece when his memory failed him entirely.
With an oath Of embarrassment and ir
.itation ne let the fiddle sink. They saw that
he was ashamed Of himself. For that a
gypsy should forget gypsy song that was
altogether unneard OF. Some OF them pressed
forward sang and whistled the air to help
him But Ba'int Bels was beyond aid. III
las no use.
Trapped by Song.
Then suddenly the honor of tho Houyed
was saved. A file leader stepped forward.
took the fiddle out of the hands OF the gypsy
and began the song anew. The spell OF en-
barrsssmcnt was lifted Poor Balint stepped
behind his rival. Pale and trembling he
stood there. bit his lips until the blood
came and listened. lie had TO be witness
while he was being put 20 shame by one who
didn't even belong to a Hungarian regiment
Ut an dllcN. Anu the Nldl toulh pay w.
"VcI-v good" exclaimed the officers; but
they looked more suspiciously than atten-
lively at the volinist, who kept his eyes
closed as he played.
The division commander now appeared IN
the door. Captain Fodor stepped softly for
ward exchanged look with Balint Bella then
lifted his arm.
The fddliug file leader opened his eyes
and locked down the barrel Of revolver
Hands up" cried Captain Fodor. The
hdde slipped to The ground. Al the same
time Balint seized the file leader b. the coat
collar and dragged him out
After taps Balint told his comrades the
story Of the Petersburg Aquarium TO its
finish. Yesterday it had suddenly come to
him. That strange file leader al the. camp
kitchen was the Russian guard officer. q
spy here among the Austrisns. In Peters
curg he had often played ely. Swallow on
Balint's fiddle for his countess and paid
Bslint 90 rubles each time Bur with his
fsvorite song Balint had trapped him.
For his bad playing the gypsy Balm, Bella
received 800 kronen and was promoted 10 be
q corporal.