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Chapter XII

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Poor John!

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FLOWERS PLUCKED FROM THE HEDGES AND THORNS FROM THE BRIAR-BUSHES

I have made allusion in the first part of my little work to the music, company and bright days at the old home. In that way I kept up my music, playing principally bright lively pieces, and the old plantation melodies so dear to the Southern heart, and when my work called me forth into the world, I found that my music attracted attention, and gave pleasure and enjoyment that I little thought it capable of.

I visited the Raleigh Exposition one day near its close and some friends asked me to go into one of the musical Exhibitions, and "knock off" some of my old tunes, which I did.

I soon had a crowd around me that seemed to enjoy it vastly. My music was so different from the music of the present day, that it touched a responsive chord in the hearts of many a one present.

To my surprise, the owner of the Exhibition--a Richmond House-made me an offer to play for them at the Fairs to be held that fall.

I accepted this offer which brought me into closer touch with the people and gave me better chance to advance my work than anything that had yet presented itself.

I played for the same House for several consecutive years.

On one occasion I was in Charlotte, and my friend, Mrs. Eccles, with an eye always open to the possibilities of the future and the latent developments within me, asked me why I did not go to the Atlanta Exposition, which was to open the next week, and play. I told her I couldn't ride and it was too far to walk. She advised, she begged, she entreated me to go and see what I could do. No, I had no money to risk, I knew no one in Atlanta, and no one knew me. I could hold the County Fairs, but what could I do with an Atlanta Exposition! The suggestion was an absurdity. I had no business there and I could not go.

The next morning she handed me a round-trip ticket from Charlotte to Atlanta and said, "Now, you will have to submit to the inevitable and go. I have bought you a ticket; it is a present from me, so pack up and go."

I did pack up and go, with scarcely an idea of what I should do, or how I should start when I got there. (Mind you, this happened in Charlotte too.) I merely folded my hands and drifted with the tide.

I arrived in Atlanta, and again, as "big as life", drove to the

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Kimball and registered.

I determined to ask the Manager of the Hotel the names of the music Houses, general directions and so on, but anyone who attended that Exposition can appreciate what the word "crowd" means. I could not get near the Manager or Clerk to ask anything.

Feeling as nearly like a nonentity as I ever felt in my life, I sauntered up a principal street, and passed a music House. A small boy came to wait upon me. I asked for the Proprietor, who soon appeared.

I asked, "Is this Mr. Ludden?"

"No, Madam, this is not Mr. Ludden".

"Is it Mr. Bates?"

With a humorous smile he replied, "No, Madam, it is not Mr. Bates either. I flatter myself I am a much better looking man than either Mr. Ludden or Mr. Bates." Then he explained that Ludden & Bates was a Savannah House, whereas I was addressing Mr. Crew, of the firm of Phillips & Crew.

Accepting the amendment, I explained my business, that I wished to play for him, if he had an Exhibition at the Exposition.

He regretted so much he had to disappoint me, but several of his men played, and he really had no need of a performer. No, he did not wish to engage anyone. "But," he courteously added, "you must not leave without going out to the Exposition, and seeing what a display we have", and he reiterated his regret that he could do nothing for me.

I went with them to the Fairgrounds, and a grand Exhibition they did indeed have in their department.

It is not an enviable feeling to go to anyone and offer one's services, and to be told in cold blood that you are not wanted, so when Mr. Phillips invited me to try some of their fine instruments, it was rather with a feeling that courtesy demands courtesy, than any impulse I felt to be musical, that I ran my fingers over the keys of their Concert Grand Knabe.

Then I struck up a waltz and the crowd gathered around.

I went off into some gay dance tune, and the crowd rapidly increased. Then I struck up "Billy in the Low Grounds", and the crowd began to applaud. Then, "I Bet My Money on the Bob-Tail Nag", and the crowd became enthusiastic, and would not have me stop.

"One more piece", I told Mr. Phillips, "and I am done."

I struck up "Dixie", and with what effect anyone can imagine who

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knows the effect of "Dixie" on a Southern crowd.

Cheer after cheer went up as I stopped.

Mr. Phillips said, "Upon what terms will you play for us, Mrs. Person?"

I told him, "Ten dollars a day."

"Well," said he, "we will pay it."

I could only play for them three days, as I had an engagement to play at the Raleigh Fair the next week.

This was the beginning of my playing at the big Expositions, and was soon followed by engagements in Augusta, Ga., Richmond, Va., Dallas, Texas, and other places.

At the close of my first day's work at Atlanta, Mr. Phillips said that he wished he could show me, in some way, how he appreciated my work, besides paying me for it.

I told him of my Remedy work, and he had a large number of cards printed, with my Remedy advertisement, and distributed them the next two days, and would not allow me to pay a dime on them.

Furthermore, when he handed me the thirty dollars for my three days work he said that it gave him genuine pleasure to do so, and that he had never paid out any money to anyone, with more satisfaction.

What big things little things are, after all!

Fourteen years ago! And yet how vivid is the recollection of the kindness shown me then, again a stranger in a strange land, and working in a new field.

Why will not men more generally recognize the importance of these little acts of courtesy, so grateful to the people's heart, and observe them, and thus settle the disputed question, "Is Life worth living?" Among the most pleasant recollections of my business life are the remembrances connected with my musical engagements.

Surely there must be something about music that softens men's nature, and brings them into closer touch with the humane side of human nature.

My engagements with Messrs. Phillip & Crew, Atlanta, Ga., with Messrs. Thomas & Barton, at two of the Augusta, Ga., Expositions, with Mr. C. H. Edwards, at two of the Dallas, Texas Expositions, and with Ayland & Lee, at Richmond, Va., are but a series of most pleasant remembrances.

Then came a call for the notes of the old time melodies, as I played them. I published them in '89 and so link was added to link

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which strengthened the chain, and I now had three friends to depend upon, instead of one: my Remedy, my playing, my music - each one bringing me nearer the people and at the same time, adding to my income.

In connection with the publication of my music, let me show what man can do, when "looking upward, not downward, Outward, not inward", and living to "Lend a helping hand".

When I determined to publish my melodies, I went to Richmond, Va., to have them written for me.

My friend, Mr. Geo. A. Minor, introduced me to Mr. John Baseler, as one who could serve me well. I asked Mr. Baseler what he would charge to write my music, about twenty pages. He said he did not know and could not tell me until he had finished the work.

"Give me an approximate estimate."

"I cannot even do that. I will tell you when the work is done. I can only promise you that I shall not charge you more than you can pay." I had, by now, acquired a habit of submitting to the inevitable, whenever I couldn't help myself, so I consigned myself to his tender mercies, and, as he did not look like a wolf in sheep's clothing, seeking whom he might devour, I was not much afraid.

We worked hard for more than two days, and the work was done. I then asked him what I owed him; perhaps he would tell me now.

Note his reply: "Mrs. Person, go ahead with your music and have it published. I trust you will make a success of it. I am only too glad it is in my power to help one who has tried so hard to help herself. I know something of your life and its responsibilities, and I am glad to do this for you. I do not wish you to consider it a debt or obligation, for it has been a pleasure to me. I am the debtor, for you have given me the opportunity to work in a good home mission, which I always enjoy", and he made me no charge.

The days of Chivalry are not past, nor its Knights all dead.

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When I go to a county now to introduce my Remedy, I make the county seat my headquarters, and hire a double team, requiring them to send a good, reliable white man with me to drive. I go to every country store in the county to advertise and sell my Remedy, stopping at every house on the wayside that has an organ or piano, to sell my music, staying at night among the country people. In that way I suppose I enter more homes, and see more of the home life of the

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people than any man, or any other woman in the State, has ever had a chance to do.

And do I love the life? Most undoubtedly Yes, though I find many things, many people, that are more than a revelation to me. I find that right here in North Carolina there are scores of people who actually believe that MUSIC is a sin! Think of it! "A sin?" I ask, "How can that be, why do you think it is a sin?"

"Because it makes me feel good, and like I want to pat my foot, and you know that would be a sin!"

And yet we are sending missionaries to China!

Oh, Consistency, what a virtue thou art!

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