We received five recalls. The
paper came out with glowing accounts of the success Walter and I had
won and we were lionized the rest of the season. When we were allowed
to retire, Walter, in his quaint way, said to me, "Susan Jane, you
almost made me laugh. I never went through such an ordeal in all my
singing days. It seemed I was destined to stand there forever before
you began." I think we have laughed over that concert time and time
again. It is one of our best jokes between us when we recount the
enjoyment of our successful concerts given in California, Oregon and
British Columbia.
[Illustration:
Hugo Mansfeldt
J.H. Dohrmann
Sir Henry Heyman
Alfred Wilkie
ASSOCIATED MUSICIANS, 1860-1913]
After returning from these smaller towns Mr. Gilder resumed the
popular concerts in Pacific Hall until the close of the
thirty-sixth concert. It was while we sang in Pacific Hall that King
Kalakua was the honored guest. Sam Booth composed a welcome song to
His Majesty and great was the reception given him. These concerts made
quite a stir among the older musicians, who thought it strange that a
twenty-five-cent entertainment should receive such acknowledgment. The
halls of the dollar concerts were deserted and the twenty-five-cent
concert hall was overflowing with music lovers. The older musicians
challenged Gilder to play the music of the old masters. He consented,
but the trial never came to anything but words.
Pages:
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204