The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1908)

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THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD. 13 THE DOWNFALL OF A CZAR. How a Talking Machine Was Responsible for the Overthrow of the Despot of 'Possum Hollow— The Wily Game of a Slick Record Salesman Who Caused the Trouble. Old Uncle Abel, a venerable darkey with white hair and a nicety of demeanor, acquired while "house boy" on the Warren plantation in the ante-bellum days, was recognized as the leading spirit in that mysterious black man's settlement down the "neck," known as "Possum Hollow." Uncle Abel was conservative to a fault and loved to cling to the old way of doing things, so when, therefore, he decided to adopt anything of a modern nature it was up to the other residents of the Hollow to follow suit if they were to be considered among the elite. So strong was Uncle Abel's position, however, that none dared to adopt a new and unknown article without his sanction, and even the "sassy No'thern niggers" found that their assumption of superior knowledge carried no weight against Uncle Abel's ruling. But the reign of the czar of the Hollow was doomed to end suddenly after a duration of forty years or more and the talking machine was responsible. Uncle Abel had driven up to the general store of Mr. Roberts at Saunders behind his mule "Pete," and while lashing the beast 'fore and aft' to prevent his sudden disappearance, had been regaled with the strains of "It's Always de' Same in Dixie," issuing from the horn of a talking machine from the stock purchased the day before by Mr. Roberts. It may be mentioned here that the reproduction was far from perfect owing to the fact that the machine was one of a job lot of premium machines of o!bscure make obtained at an auction by the storekeeper for a mere song. However, the idea was new to Uncle Abel and the music sounded good. Mr. Roberts, seeing the old man was interested proceeded to render "Down 'Mobile," "Carry Me Back to Die' Virginny," and other airs dear to the darkey's heart. It did not take Uncle Abel long to decide that Possum Hollow needed a talking machine and that Aunt Adaline's egg money, saved for a new gingham dress, was much better invested in such a pleasure producing instrument. That very night the machine was installed in Uncle Abel's parlor and all the Hollow came, saw and were smitten. The following day the stock of two dozen machines, and perhaps 200 records, were sold out to the denizens of the Hollow at prices that would have made the seller of stencil pianos at $400 feel like a poor misguided piker. All sorts of sacrifices were made to raise money to buy talkers and several white folks living near by missed articles that possessed a ready cash value. The musical education of the Hollow was rapid for ears that had regarded "Old Kentucky Home" and "Old Black Joe" as classics soon learned to ■really appreciate the superior (?) qualities of ■\Everybody Happy" and "Lindy by the Watermelon Vine." The "hlind tigers" lost their trade to an alarming extent for everyone stayed home at night to listen to their treasures producing melody. A trip through the Hollow was like a trip through old Madrid on fete day, with the exception that where in the latter city the old Castilian love songs were accompanied by the The J K^p^^*^r SELLS HOME Machines at sight Can be attached in five minutes. No drilling. Returns in less than one second. Noiseless, speedy and sure. Sold by Jobbers everywhere. ACME REPEATER COMPANY, INDIANAPOLIS, IND. tinkling of the mandolin and guitar in the Hollow the music was aided by the rattle of the horn and the scratching of the record. All went merrily, however, until one fateful day when a drummer invaded the Hollow with a great stock of dead records, i. e. records that were passe when the talker was young. He sold his stock out inside of an hour and made his escape by claiming that a rule of the company was that no records should be sold until a certain date and exacting a promise from his customers that they would not play them for at least a week. In support of his statement he exhibited to those who could read an advance list of records of one of the leading companies, the latest Iby the way, where a time limit was placed upon their sale. But when the records were played then the trouble began. Instead of rich operatic selections the purchasers were treated to such songs as "Coon, Coon, Coon," "Nigger Nigger, Never Die," "St. Patrick's Day is a Bad Day for Coons," and other songs of like nature, the words and sentiment of which grated harshly upon the delicate "colored" ears of the Hollow. The new records broke the spell with startling suddenness and when the residents of Possum Hollow realized that the adored Uncle Abel had set the fashion that led them to give up all to possess machines that could so insult them, their rage knew no bounds. The "Czar of Possum Hollow" saw his reign ended instanter and woe is he who mentions talking machines in the Hollow. The downthrow of Uncle Abel meant freedom for the Hollow, but freedom to a sadder and wiser people on the verge of despondency. LICHTY DOUBLES CAPACITY. Can Now Boast of a Talking Machine Department That Is Metropolitan in Every Respect. (Special to The Talking Machine World.) Reading, Pa., January 7, 1908. Charles H. Lichty, the music dealer of 641 Penn street, has nearly doubled the capacity of his quarters and can now boast of one of the most commodious music houses in this section. The annex faces on Court street and is a fourstory addition. In merging it with the old portion of the building excellent judgment was shown in joining the various departments of the business. Conspicuous among the improvements is the talking machine salesroom, which is approached from the main floor hy an easy and handsome staircase. It is a beautifully finished department in which are advantageously displayed the various makes. The several styles of horns and accessories, including attractive cabinets, are exhibited. The other departments for the sale of pianos, sheet music, etc., are also arranged in a most convenient and attractive manner. NOVEL PLAN OF PUBLICITY. There are many amusing incidents related regarding the various means adopted to attract the trade in these days of frenzied finance and hustle. A very slick trick was that reported in a Chicago paper some time ago: One of the partners of a firm went into court and filed a bill for injunction to restrain the other partner from sacrificing the goods in their store at figures far below cost. The plamtiff set forth in detail that his partner had with some insane desire marked all the goods in the store down below cost. Then he went into details and showed how different articles were being sacrificed notwithstanding his protest, and asked the court to issue an injunction and restrain the fractious partner. It was a strange fight and the newspapers took it up and devoted columns to the novel case. The result was that people on the lookout for bargains flocked to the store and purchased goods. Day after day the hearing for an Injunction was delayed, and finally when the free advertisement had been worked to its end, the whole cost to the firm for thousands of dollars' worth of advertisfng being about ?25. Now for 1908 Start right in to make 1908 a better and more prosperous year than any that have gone before. Make up your mind, to do a larger business and make more money, and then set about doing it. Show people you appreciate their trade, by making every effort to please them. Try to anticipate their wants so that you can satisfy them. If you haven't what they want, get it for them — and do it promptly. When you tell a customer you'll have what he wants on a certain day, see that it's there when the time comes. How can you do that ? By having a wideawake jobber who knows his business and attends to it. If your present jobber isn't that kind ; if he hands you out promises and puts you in a hole by not shipping your goods, you have sufficient reason for dropping him. And we are a candidate for his position. We ship all orders the same day they are received. It takes a large stock to give this kind of service, but there isn't anything in Victor talking machines and records, record cabinets, fiber cases, trumpet horns, English needles or other accessories that you won't find here. Write for our latest catalogue, and then put us to the test. You'll quickly see the advantage of having a jobber like us. The Victor Distributing and Export Company 256 Broadway, NEW YORK