THE HIRED PIANO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6195, 24 March 1888, Page 3

THE HIRED PIANO.

44 Sometimes," writes Mr Corney Grain, the well-known musical entertainer,' in his reminiscences in Murray's "Magazine, " I have come across very neat sayings one would rather have left unsaid. I was singing at an afternoon party, and I was the only 'professional' there. A little boy Slayed . the violin. I remarked to my ostess that the boy Bhowed signs of great promise. 'Ishe a professional ? ' I asked. ' Oh, no/ eaid my hostess ; ' he ia the eon of a gentleman!' The dear lady meant no offence ; she only meant that the father was a man of means ; but that she should have put it in the way she did, and made the remark to the only professional in the room, was perhaps unfortunate. Nervousness sometimes causes peoplo to blurt out most inconvenient truths. I arrived once at a large house to Bing at an ' at home/ My host was a very nervous, shy man. I remarked, ** you have two grand pianos in your drawing-rooms, Isee/ 'Oh — oh — ye — yes!' said my host. ' Wehiredtheonetbat'sopen for thiß afternoon. My wifesaid, " We can't let Corney Grain play on our best piano." Ha, ha, ha ! ' I laughed a hollow « Ha, ha, ha J' and went meekly to my hired companion for the afternoon. Sometimes ladies sidle up and say in an undertone, ' Be merciful, Mr Grain,, our piano is a new one/ * Oh, pray don't apologise/ I reply, ' it'll do well enough for my work!' Many years ago I was asked to sing at a lady's house. The lady was an excellent person of yery Low Church views, and had doubts as to the wickedness of the comic song generally ; but I believe her sons overcame her scruples, and she reluctantly consented to engage my services. But the morning of the party she had misgivings, and I received a note from her hoping that I would make no Scriptural allusions in my songs. I remember I was very hurt and angry at tiie time, but I was young then aad sensitive. What agonies I endured when I first began to sine at private parties!"