The Denver Jewish news., 1922-02-22

Gentle tables?" asked his father. "Per-
haps you like the taste of the food bet
ter there than the taste of your own
food?"
"Jakey," screamed his mother Ito
her he was still Jakey). what is hap
pening to you? Have you eaten
treife?"
Jack realized that he had said too
much. He hadn't wanted them to
know. But he defended himself.
Il can't help it. 1 must do it be-
cause of my violin. Look! l ale din
ner at the McMasters; they liked me,
and now they are going to pay me
thirty dollars for playing at their
home Thirty dollars means some
thing"
"But your religion is worth more
than thirty dollars" pleaded his father.
'Religion-bah! One can't be an ar
fist and jew as the same time. Every
one calls me an American violinist, I'M
til they look too closely at my nose"
That nose was Jacks sore spot. 1t
couiu uot pe dlteTeu, iiht MS NANNY, al"
it was an Enthusiastically Jewish nose.
The question was not brought up
again at home, but Jack was allowed
to go his way unhamperel. But
trouble began somewhere else. In spite
of Jack Freeman's progress in the esti-
mate of wealth, Professor Meyers be-
gan to be dissatisfied. He had spent
all his time in developing n technique
in his young pupil. He had thought
that the tone and feeling that were so
naturally beautiful would continue to
improve of their own account. But
they hadn't. Something was beginning
to be absent in Jacks playing. The
technique he had, glissandos and en-
denzas that had once sent him reeling
because of their difficulty became play
things to his flying fingers. But the
subtle-eared old Professor Meyers be-
gan to sense the lack of feeling. Al
first he consoled himself.
II cared too much for the gymnas-
tics. and l forgot the rest. 1t was my
own fault" the teacher told himself.
SO he attempted to remedy it.
"Play it slower, and put more feel
ing. more depth in your playing" he
suggested. Forget the display for a
while, and think of the meaning"
Il WILL" answered Jack, and he con-
ttinued to play faster and to think OF
the splendor of the home he had visited
the previous night.
Professor Meyers hadn't the heart to
be angry with him. although the stun
ton panied him deeply. But the pain
was forgotten when he heard for GER
tain that the Incompatible Sevar-the
greatest of violin teachers-was to visit
the city, and had expressed his willing
ness to hear any unusual talent.
Although there was almost six
months until 'Sevar's arrival. work was
begun Immediately. The concerto
which Jack was to play was chosen. II
was carefully dissected; every note
every phrase. every nuance. was played
and re-played. The concerto was n
brilliant thing. full of Jacks favorite
technical gymnastics. But underneath
1t all there swept deep undertow OF
feeling that broke out between the bril-
liant superficiality i'm an occasional sob
or wall.
Put your heart into it :" shouted
Professor Meyers. day after day. For
get your runs and thrills. your har-
monies"
But don't understand how. ! can't
feel as you feel. All can see in the
nothing else
Perhaps it is because you are
young" answered the teacher.
He knew it was not so, but Sevar
be kept high.
Jack looked for an opportunity to
play his concerto before an audience
previous to his appearance before
sevar. Unfortunately, his friends
could not help him. 1t was during
Lent and there were not many affairs.
So he had to choose something which
he hated He consented to play at n
had played it brilliantly, but the au-
dience's applause was stilled and
forced.
"Gosh-what they don't know about
a lot of sob stuff; they like to hear