New Britain herald., 1927-06-04
FAMILIAR FIGURES
 PASS FROM PICTURE
Street Musicians and "Hokey Pokey' Man Almost Obsolete

The other day street piano was seen in New Britain and. needless to say. 1t attracted considerable atten- ton. For the street piano. along with the travelling band and the organ grinder. is gradually becoming q thing of the past.
 Not many years ago summer was announced to the residents of this city when the jangly melodies of the hand organ and the street piano ar rested the attention of the passer- by and the children. The melodies were unusually old ones and they were none too well rendered. but they were always welcomed. because residents knew that at last summer had come.
 These pianos were usually taken from place 10 place by Italians, dressed in corduroy and wearing bright handkerchiefs around their necks. As a general rule the wagon or cart also bore a cage in which was a cockatoo, whose duty it was 10 pick fortunes" out of cup or q hat for the patron. The pianos visit cd the residential sections mainly and the uplifted hat Of one of the attendants was plea for coins.
 "'hen there was the hand organ. ui; its operator, also of Italian eX- ias. tion This worthy usually car jed with him a sprightly. but rather sh, D worn monkey whose antics de- lighted the children. Since it was the duty Of the animal to collect the coins offered in return for the ''nlusic.' the organ grinder taught him many tricks with which to bring from the hands of listeners, large %nd small. the pennies. nickels and dimes. The cutter the antics of the monkey. the greater the number of donations The little animal used to grab the coin offered and then hop up on the organ, at the same time taking off his soiled red hat, with he strap under his chin, and bow ing in an absurd fashion.
 The German band went with the war. Even as late as 1916 these bands Of traveling musicians were heard in New Britain from time to time. But when the United States declared war. they vanished from this city. as well as from the entire country. They have never returned and perhaps it's just as well, because their music, while loud and en- thusiastic, was not always of the highest quality. Many New Britain men. boys in those days. remember the indignities to which they sub jected those travelling musicians.
 How many New Britain people re- member the Waffle Man" and how his wagon used to be seen on the streets. His cry of ''Waff-uls" pene- trated everywhere and it was the signal for many youngsters to begin pestering mother for the necessary nickel with which to purchase one of the questionable delcaces. A Waffle Man was seen in New Brit ain the other day, the first one in years. His brightly painted cart bespoke the fact that he is appar- entity still prospering.
 Then there was the ice cream hokey pokey cart which used to travel through the residential sec tions on hot summer afternoons, These wagons, or push carts, had bells which were noted for their power of penetration and the ice cream. purchased for five or ten cents. ofttimcs proved a boon 10 iii" sweltering populace. The ice cream peddler has gone.
 The rag man." feared by so many small children in the past. has also gone. No longer does one hear the cry of -a-a-cks" echoing through the neighborhood. The huge wagon with its array of porch and lawn furniture has not been seen in several years. The vegetable peddier, with his cry of 'Straaw- burrs. ahnyuns, oppooos," and many other kinds of fruit and vegetables. has suffered from the inroads Of the fruit and vegetable store.
 An interesting phase Of life has gone.