STREET OPERA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 784, 27 April 1877, Page 4

STREET OPERA.

—o — The following is told as a “true story illustrating London life”:--“In one of the turnings off Oxford-street, a few nights since, an Italian organ grinder, with a terribly bad instru ment, was moaning piteously his illsuccess. He had not taken a penny all day, and had not the wherewithal for a night’s lodging. To tell the truth, the man who could take so horrible an instrument of torture about with him deserved no better fate, and the passers-hy, when they heard the distortion of operatic airs made by the organ, were the reverse of sympathetic. Presently a showily dressed woman came along. ‘ What’s the matter, old man !’ The Italian artist told his tale The woman was evidently touched by the man’s tears. ‘ We’ll soon put that right,’she exclaimed; ‘give me your organ.’ When she heard its tones she winced a little. ‘ You are a little out of tune, friend,’ she said, rebnkingly, but set off playing, while the old man looked on bewildered, and a crowd began to gather. The old man stood still until the woman was provoked into chiding him for not having recourse to his hat. ‘ Pass it round, and be quick ; it’s money you want, isn’t it!’ The old man obeyed, and the girl sang to the organ until a good harvest of pennies had been reaped. ‘ Will that do, friend!’ she asked, and, receiving an answer in the affirmative, resigned the instrument and passed rapidly away, laughing at her frolic. A similar story is told of Lahlache, the eminent basso, who relieved a perambulating member of bis own profession one evening in way.”