The talking machine world (Jan-June 1919)

138 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLT) June IS, 1919 A. W. 0. L. BUT SAVED BY TALKER Wonderful Effect of Talking Machine Music on the Sentry Enables Two Overdue Soldiers to Sneak Into Camp Undetected and Thereby Avoid a Sojourn in the Guard House In one of our Southern training camps, located on the outskirts of a city of moderate size, two lads in khaki were holding a council of ways and means one summer night, just outside the boundary of the camp. The hour was past midnight and long ago they should have been asleep on their canvas cots in the company street. But it had been a glorious night, and the Southern moon had been irresistible, even after the C. O. had issued strict orders that no man was to leave camp that night, for the next day the boys would be starting on the last lap of the Great Adventure. Consequently, as soon as the shadows began to creep across the sandy fields separating the camp from the woods along the road to town, our two buddies had slipped away for a last celebration. And now that they must return to camp they found difficulties in their way. A double guard had been posted, and their instructions, which the two had overheard from their hiding place behind a clump of bushes, made the lads realize that above all things they must run the guard and get back into camp unseen. If they were caught it meant that their company would sail without them. To complicate matters still more, the guard was composed of men from a rival company and there was no love lost between these two organizations. The two plotters lay in hiding and proposed plans in desperate whispers. From past experience they well knew all the spots where one might slip into camp unnoticed, but to-night all these loopholes were well guarded. "Something" had to be done, but what was the "something"? At last the idea came, as ideas will, if the gods of chance are not too much occupied with their domestic troubles. One of the lads stole away toward a house which was near the corner of the fence marking the limits of the camp. In a few moments a light appeared in the room facing the guard and a window was opened softly. The boy rejoined his companion who had been anxiously awaiting his return. The sentry was at his post at the gate some fifty feet from the corner of the barb wire. All at once, out into that summer night, silvered by the moonlight on the sand, floated Soss Hinges are so accurately made and 30 easy to install that they save time and labor, as all mortising can be done by machine. SOSS^ MMUmCTUmNG CO 435-443 ATLANTIC AVE BROOKLYN, NY. NEW ADDRESS GRAND AVE. and BERGEN ST. BROOKLYN. N. Y. tiie familiar strains of a talking machine playing one of those sentimental ballads so dear to the soldier's heart. The two conspirators waited breathlessly. Would their plan succeed? Their eyes were fixed on the sentry. The record was played to the end, but the guard was still alert at his post. A moment's silence — then the song was heard once more, but very softly — even in the stillness it was difficult to catch the words. The sentry turned toward the sound, trying to follow the melody. Then, after a quick glance around to see that no one was in sight, he walked along the fence in the direction of the open window. At the corner he paused, absorbed in the music, thinking of someone he would like to see before he went "Over There." Meanwhile our two reprobates, whose hardened hearts held but one thought, slipped through the gate like two shadows. The music ceased and the sentry, with a sigh, resumed his post. Ten minutes later as the two were crawling into their bunks one whispered to the author of the great idea, "Say, Bud, how do you get that way? You're a wonder." And the youthful genius whispered back, "Me? Why, I used to sell talking machines out in Kalamazoo, and if I ever get a hold of that guard when it's all over, I'll bet I sell him a dozen." "I'll tell the world," was the sleepy reply. ESTABLISHED 1831 In the Music Business Continuously for 88 Years Our Age the Best Evidence that We Render Satisfactory Service 604 Wood St. Victrola Wholesalers PITTSBURGH, PA. WHERE THE WORD "JAZZ" STARTED Most people are aware of the fact that "jazz" music originated in the South, but perhaps few know just how the name itself started. The Columbia Record gives the following explanation: There was once a trio of dusky musicians, one a banjo plaj-er, one a singer and the third a maker of melodies by means of an empty tin can. This unusual trio came to be called the Jassacks Band, the name being the popular inversion of the jackass, the famous solo singer of the Southern States. Soon the name, according to the proverbial love for inaccuracy, was changed to Jazzacks and by the usual method of abbreviation developed finally into just plain jazz. EDISON CONVENTION PICTURE An attractive picture of the Edison Dealers' convention in Kansas City, held on May 20-21, and referred to elsewhere, was received at the World oflSce too late for publication, and consequently many of the visiting dealers will not have the opportunity to see how well they look under the glare of the limelight. Judging from their contented expressions, however, the convention was one to instil joy into every busy heart, and business was not allowed to interfere with the usual festivities of such a gathering.