Image 79 of Theo Brown Diaries, 1948

Brown, Theophilus

Generic Work

Image 79 of Theo Brown Diaries, 1948

Public Deposited

[Letter: from Father, typed, follows] Dear theo & EliseMoline February 21, 1928 Your letter came while we were at breakfast with the very welcome word that the journey was progressing so satisfactorily. I might sum up the home conditions with the two words 'same here', for it is incoceivable that the household should be running more smoothly than it is now. The outstanding event so far since your departure was the Sunday afternoon concert of which I think mother has written. At any rate I might enlarge a little upon her narration. For from my seat di- rectly behind the family I saw a little better the effect the music had upon the children. One of the encores pleased them immensley. "The Mice and the Trap". This from the program: "With a scurry of pattering feet the mice enter upon the scene and scamper to and fro, their voices squeaking as they play. After several minutes of play they notice the trap and pause. One of them bolder than the rest, slowly and timidly approaches and nibbles at the bait. The trap springs with a snap and the rest of the mice scamper away into hiding." The quivering jumping up and down of the violin bows upon the strings gave a perfect picture of the mice and Billy was quivering and shaking in perfect time with the music. But the greatest excitement was yet to come for Billy in the final number, Tschaikowski's "Overture 1812" I think you will recall this very stirring peice. But I am sure I neverbefore heard it rendered with the emphasis they accorded it Sunday when in the final measures an half dozen pistol shots rang out. The performer crouched down behind the bass drum to fire them, while the red flare rising above the drum assured us the athe actual fire-arms had been resorted to. A most appropriate instrument it was to carry on the martial spirit of the overeture. As for Billy, it was certainly a hold-up for him - his hands and arms went right up in the air, and I think he was on his feet also, and shaking all over. It was a most enjoyable concert for the adults as well, and I came away with the feeling that enjoyable though the radio is it could not quite bring it all - the entire orchestral effect. General Motor music in the evening and later after mother had gone upstairs I listened to Dr. Palmer's China story. He announced at the close that next week a man would take his place who knew more about Lincoln, had more literature pertaining tohim and other material bearing on him than any other man now living. I understood him to say a Mr Oakley of Moline. I wonder if you know of him. Now I am going down town to mail this letter, as I did yesterday to mail you mother's. Withvery much love, and trusting you are not too disconcerted at learning how well we get along without you, Father. Half a century of employment In the House of Deere & Co. Fifty years of home enjoyment In a dearer house also. Half a century's faithful service In the mill with iron and steel Fifty years of household duties On the part of Mrs. Xiel Fifty - fifty years now ended Yet in memory reappear And most happily are blended In the Golden Wedding Year.

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