Evening star., 1921-12-11

PARK,

Despite what a foreign artist once
said to me about "all Americas being
alike" it is my belief that the per-
sonality of its various towns differs
considerably-Richm home of my
debut. gentle and charming; San
Francisco. almost Partisan in its
esprit: picturesque New Orleans: sin
cere Chicago: knowing Washington:
critical New York; aristocratic Phila-
delphia-they differ just as do human
beings. and are to me quite as fasci-
mating study. Marie Sundelius, the
fascinating Swedish coloratura, tells
me she is preparing a book on the
subject out Of her own experiences.
Perhaps it might be well to say
something about how we undertake
to go ION tour" Most of US put our
selves into the hands of a big "musi-
cal bureau" that really manages US.
Believe me, they are quite fierce as
disciplinarians and treat US like chill
dren. They arrange our booking" for
the season and prepare a schedule
long in advance, trying to include as
many towns near each other as possi-
Bile on one trip. 1 usually leave New
time and then return to rest for a
week or SO. but, of course, when I
take my western coast tour or go far
south I'm away for months. The bu-
reau does everything for us, even to
the extent Of providing us with type
written instructions as to the trains
we are supposed to catch Gf we want
to profit by the reservations they have
made for us), the hotels we should
repair to, and the individuals We
should get in touch with as soon as
we reach our destination. So that
part of it at least is easy enough.
What pity they can't sing our con-
certs for us, too!
ptT then tbs trouble begins for us.
The missed connections. the room
less hotels, the adventures of one sort
or another. One that befell Olive
Kline. the popular English soprano
goes to illustrate what can and does
happen to lone prima donna out
among the provinces" She was
travelling from one Michigan town to
another. not far from Chicago. Half
way between the two points the train
came to an unexpected and abrupt
stop and the amazed passengers were
treated to a genuine 'hold-up' of the
wild west moviet variety. Olive was
no exception, and good many lovely
things. including a pin given to her
by Queen Victoria of Spain. fell prey
to the bandits
When a few hours later the be-
lated train dragged itself into the
town that was olives destination she
descended penniless. An idea came
to her as she beheld a phonograph
store across the way from the sta
ton. She crossed to it hurriedly, ex-
planned to the manager excitedly who
she was. what had happened to her,
and requested a loan" of a few dol
lars until she reached somewhere or
the shopkeeper was skeptical.
How do l know you're Olive
Kline" he demanded suspiciously.
perhaps he'd been touched" beforeD
Somewhat indignant at being
doubted. but perhaps realizing its
justification, she withheld any COM
ments other than that he had her
photograph in the phonograph cata-
logue and could identify her by that.
Struck by the idea, the doubter turned
to her picture as requested, then to
her, then back to the picture again.
''M-m-m" he unused. This here
picture might kinder be anybody"
Olive assures us that she didn't
swear-out loud, that is! Instead. she
adjusted her sweetest smile. and re-
piled:
"Mr. Phonograph Man. can see
that you're a man that likes to be
convinced. Tell you what let's do.
Put on a record of mine, then stop it
and let me go on! Perhaps then
you'll know I'm o. K" ...-.
The strategy worked. But it's
good thing she was quick witted or
she might have starved to death!
OF course, one isn't often held up.
But there are aggravating little an
noyances that do occur and can oc-
cur at any time. especially when
least wanted. I'll never forget Albert
spalding's adventure in Winston-sa-
lem, N. C. Anybody who knows the
noted American violinist, who is al
ways Immediately dressed. notably
SO as against some Of his foreign
confreres Of the bow. win realize the
full force of this sad tale:
MR.. sPALDING had reached town
NA late-very late-and after dress
ing hurriedly in full evening Dress
with giistening patent leather pumps,
dived into a cab to be carried con-
adorable distance to the recital hall.
which was on the outskirts Of the
town. When in the middle Of the
tourney they came to a deserted.
bleak section of the town. and began
waliowing through the deepest kind
Of mire. When in the worst of it,
the cab, after billowing and tossing
about like a ship in distress. stuck.
OF course, there was then nothing