The Edison phonograph monthly (Dec 1914-Dec 1915)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY, SEPTEMBER, 1915 17 A NOVEL WINDOW ATTRACTION— WG. BAILEY, a banner salesman of the Southern California Music Co., is the originator of a very large Diamond Reproducer made in plaster of paris with tiny electric light where the diamond should be. This electric light is intermittently turned on and off by a mechanical arrangement so that the light flashes like a diamond. The device was for a long time in the window of the Southern California Music Co., and attracted unusual attention. It is a stunt well worth repeating elsewhere. EN ROUTE SWAMP.' TO "THE DISMAL A TRUE STORY. THREE echoing blasts from the old river packet showed that our signal had been seen. Slowly she crept alongside the wharf. A sharp command from the captain in the pilothouse, and a coil of hawser left the brawny hands of the negro deckhand to be as deftly caught by the man ashore. "No freight to-night, Cap'; jest this Northern gent'man wants to go through the Dismal with yuh." I stepped aboard and as the boat swung out from the wharf, the captain came down to the deck. I had but a moment to entertain any doubt as to the cordiality of my reception. "Reck'n," he said, "yuh used to better 'commodation than we can give yuh, but such as we have is yuhs. We don't allow to carry first-class passengers, but I can fix yuh up fine's-a-fiddle tonight." Then he continued, "I let the puser off at South Mills to go to a dance and yuh can have his stateroom." This was unexpected comfort and, weary with my prospecting through the holly swamp, I was soon lying comfortably in the purser's berth and about to pass off into slumberland — when from the darkened cabin there came to my astonished ears beautiful and exquisite music! Listening I lay like one entranced with charming voices. What exquisite accompaniment, too ! Then the music ceased; the "sea" was silent, except for the rhythmical throbbing of the propeller shaft of the old packet boat. Could it be possible that some opera company on their way North, at the end of the season, had engaged passage on the old packet steamer for the novelty of a trip through the Great Dismal Swamp ? "But listen," I said to myself. In the next selection I recognized and was charmed with a beautiful, inimitable rendering of "Schubert's Serenade." In the midst of such soulful music I fell asleep. I was awakened in the early hours of the morning by the deck watchman calling "She's blowing for Wheller's landin'. Reck'n that's whar yuh get off, sir," he said through my cabin window. As we two passed through the steamer's dimly lit cabin I asked what theatrical company was on board. "Don't know nuffen 'bout any the'ter bunch aboard this 'er boat, sir," the negro said. At that moment, as he held the deck lantern high over his shoulders to light my way across the threshold to the deck, all at once I discovered an object which filled me with amazement. Grasping the man's arm I drew it toward me, and as the rays of the lantern fell on the object I read in large letters of gold "EDISON DIAMOND DISC PHONOGRAPH." Now I had discovered my theatrical troupe and stood in amazement, looking at the Edison. "Reck'n you'd better step ashore, sir, 'fore she slides off," said the burly fellow. Then, as I watched the old boat glide out of the Great Dismal into the broad Pasquotank my thoughts reverted again and again to the beautiful music that had wafted me to sleep and of the wonderful genius of the man who had given such soulful melodies from the world's greatest music masters to the uttermost parts — even to the inhabitants of the Great Dismal Swamp.