A LOCAL MUSICAL PRODIGY

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 249, 24 March 1888, Page 7

A LOCAL MUSICAL PRODIGY

" They are making a groat fuss in America just now over a little boy named Hofman, who is an expert piano player," said a Mount Eden resident to a &tar representative the other day. " ]$ow, what would you think of a little chap a few months over four years of age who can play over 50 tunes on an accordion ? Would you calll him a musical prodigy ? Our reporter reckoned that a child with so much precosity would indeed be a genius. " Well," continued the man, "see that little corner shop over there. It is kept by a poor woman named Mrs Buchanan, and I'll eat my boots if her little son Joseph isn't something extraordinary in the musical prodigy lino." Our reporter crossed the toad to theSmall corner grocery, wheio a pleasantlooking woman, with sleeveb rolled to the \ elbows, was parcelling out newspapers to sundry urchins. It transpired that the i lady was the district agent ior the Stab, and this at once established a common bond of sympathy. The reporter explained that ha had heard she had a musical prodigy m stock, and wanted to inspect him. "Yep," said Mrs Buchanan, "iry little* Joe plays a few tunes nicely. But you will hear for yourself. Joe, Jo-o-ey !" and as the last cadence of the maternal call died on the evening air, a chubby- faced little toddler with long, wavy, dark hair, and a pocketful of marbles, came into the shop. The good woman smiled proudly on her offspring, and remarked, " This is Joe, sir ; « Little Joe' they call him at the Band of Hope meetings, where he performs sometimes." Then, to the youngster, who was lovingly eyeing a packet of stickjaw, she* I said, "Play the gentleman something* I Joe." | An accordion was produced from aa inner sanctuary, and Master Joseph wa» seated on the counter with the instrument* fully as big as himself, on hia little knees. Then the child played a number of tunes, chiefly Scotch airs, with perfect accuracy, and with the skill' of an accomplished musician. — " Caller Herrin 1 ," " John* Grumlie," " Willie Brewed a Peck o'Ma\rt," and other old favourites following in rapid succession. u I tan't mater dia big music," said the little chap. " Where's my owa one ?" A smaller instrument was given to him, and he executed a number, of most difficult pieces, and was finally made happy with a stickjaw and returned to his marbles. Mrs Buchanan then told the. reporter that her son was 4fc years, and that from infancy he displayed a liking for musical sounds. About a year and a-half ago, to her intense astonishment she found Joseph seated in a corner fingering out " God Save the Queen '* on a concertina. As time went on he picked up other tunes, entirely by ear, and is now a proficient performer on either concertina or accordion, and can pick out a tune on the piano. Mi\s Buchanan mentioned that some member of fcho Burns' Club had asked her to allow the boy to perform at one of their guthciings, and as she has consented, those who want to see a real, livo, local musical prodigy will have their opportunity. — Star.

Wife: "A box cnvne to-day, John,'addressed to you." Husband : "Did you open it?' Wife: "No." Husband : "Well, I wish you had. It may bo oue of those beastly infernal machines."