Ancient and Modern.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372868, 15 September 1917, Page 6

Ancient and Modern.

It happened in a quiet Wairarapa hotel, during a peaceful Sabbath evening. An officer was playing bridge with three ladies of his family in one corner of tho room; others wore chatting the time aw r ay; while at the piano the wife of a soldier present, who was an excellent pianist, was kindly playing through the available music, for the pleasure of the many. One by one she played the pieces chosen, now a dainty melody, now a stirring classic. Then they came to the march from Wagner’s Lohengrin. She had not proceeded far, when the officer left his seat and crossed to the piano. “Do you realise what you arc playing? That is Gorman music, and I have suffered much by this war.” Amazed at tho man’s rudeness, tho lady left the piano; her husband, being a subordinate, was unable to punch tho officer’s head, as he no doubt would like to; but the incident did not close. The officer was promptly reminded that his own daughter had been playing Gorman music earlier in the evening. “That is different —it was ancient German music she played! Wagner is a modern writer, and it is with modern Germany we are at war!”