.
THE SCBANTON TRIBUNE FRIDAY MORXIKO, OCTOBER 9, 1896.
Y DDAU DELYNWR,
THE KING HARPISTS
Tbe Boy Plays a Hornpipe for tbe Good
Old Vicar ol Llanryowyd.
JOHN WINS THE COMPETITIVE HARP
His Fifth cr Buys Him the Harp of
Thomas Evans, of Newtown, the
Maid of Skcr's LoverIIe Enter
the Roval Academy and Becomes
One of Its Professors.
Cadrawd, of the South Wales Dally
News, writes as follows concerning the
Thomas family, the king harpists: .At
the request of that patriotic Welshman
and collector of the noteworthy litera
ture and traditions of our beloved
country, namely, Mr. N. Bennett, Glan
yravon, North Wales, I Interviewed the
Keniiil old patriarch, Mr. John Thomas,
the father of the warm-hearted Welsh
men and world-renowned musicians,
Peneerdd Gwalia and Ap. Thomas. My
remembrance of Mr. Thomas extends
as far back as the time he first came
to Maeatls to follow his trade as a tail
or. At this place he spent the last
thirty-two years of his life, figuring as
one of the most active and well-known
chnrueters among the inhabitants of
"Yr Hen Blwyf."
My first recollection of him ts at a
kind of a club feast held at the Old
House.Llangynwyd, on an Easter Mon
day, many years ago, where he was ac
comoanied by his son, Llewelyn. The
father played a clarionet, while the son,
a pretty little boy, who was stationed
on the table of the "long," or club room,
of the Old House, played the harp.
Their playing gave great pleasure to
the lnrge number of parsons who had
gathered together to spend a merry
duy. I was a very young lad then, but
have a clear recollection of many
things that took place that day. The
performance of John Thomas fixed it
self on my mind, since It was.l thought,
lar above the average. Whenever I
tiift him afterwards the opinion I had
formed of htm the first time I saw him
was traighteiK'd. lie was of patriar
chal aspect, careful of his appearance,
and one of the merriest, of mortals tt
person could meet in a days journey.
Before I commenci- narrating what I
Slithered from him during my last few
Interviews with him I feel I must relate
un incident which occurred at Llan
gynwyd on the feast day referred to
sometime in tho afternoon. It so hap
pened that the vicar, the late Rev. It. I,
l.leweyyn, M, A., chanced to drop ia
amongst the pleasure-seekers in the
long room. He culled Mr. Thomas to
him ii ml, after the usual salutations
bad pussed, said he understood that he
was the master of ceremonies for that
Itiy.and asked if there was anyone
present that could dance a hornpipe to
tin- music of the harp. Mr. Thomas
told the vicar that his wish could be
vi'iitned as there was present one of the
lost iluncers in Glumorgan in the per
son of Hethyn Jones, of Aberavon, and
lie was sure that Mr. Jones would do
ull in his power to please Mr. Llewelyn.
.Mr. Thomas told his son Llewelyn, to
play the "Swansea Hornpipe," and Mr.
Jones jumping upon the table went
through his paceH with the utmost pre
cision and neatness; in fact, as one of
the bystanders remarked, his feet went
as if they were playing a kettle drum.
Tlie vicar then asked Mr. Thomas to
play some Welsh airs on the harp for
him, which he did. Mr. Llewelyn said
he was very pleased, and thanked
them for their kindness.
During my last visit to Mr. Thomas
I asked the old gentleman if he re
membered the above incident. He
laughed heartily, and said that he re
FALL AND
If you are in need of a Suit or Overcoat do not fail to call and see our stock. Your Suit is in the lot waiting for you. It's your fit; just
your idea of a good suit, and just your price. We have a stock in perfect touch with fashion's requirements.
Black Cheviot, fall-weight Overcoats, $8, $10, $12 and $18.
Covert Overcoats, $12 and $15. Fine Worsted and Silk nixed Overcoats, $18 and $20.
nice Plaid and Brown flixed Suits, single and double-breasted, $8.50. $10, $12, $15 and $20. Best made and very stylish.
Black Clay Worsted Suits, at all prices from $10 to $25. Children's Reefers, black and blue, at all prices, $2 to $7.
GREAT SALE OF UNDERWEAR THIS WEEK
The product of "The Luzerne Knitting Mills." Ask to See It Dr. Wrights Hygienic Underwear, $4.00
a Suit Guaranteed a Preventive Against Colds and Rheumatism.
membered It quite well. "In my opin
ion," he said further, "Mr. Llewelyn
was the right man In the right -place.
He could be merry with those who were
merry and Mill be able to sympathise
truly with those In sorrow and trouble.
He was not like the majority of minis
ters of the present day, too holy to look
at anyone enjoying himself with a little
harmless pleasure. I often feet an In
clination to break out Into a Jig myself,
but my- old legs fall me, though my
arms are like whalebone still," at the
same time rapping the table with his
fingers as if to give force to hie words.
"I could still sew as well as ever," he
continued, but I have no need to, as my
son John keeps me like a lord."
I persuaded Mr. Thomas to give me
his life's history, which I believe will
greatly Interest the reader. I give the
narrative almost in his own words.
"My father's name was Thomas
Thomas, a dapper little man of about
five feet In height, who was by trade a
shoemaker. He was a native of Llan
elly, Carmarthenshire. When quite
young he went to work to a place called
Pelin Ivan Ddu. in the Ogmore Valley.
While at this place he met Miss Cecil
Bevan, Hendre Fnasett, whom he even
tually married. They went to live at
Swansea, at which place I was born.
Here my father worked hard for sever
al years. While at Swansea my pa
rents became members In the chapel at
which Joseph Harris (Gomel ) was min
ister. When I was 8 years old my pa
rents moved to Bridgend. We were
twelve children, but their lives now
only one besides myself, namely. Wil
liam, a tailor by trade, who lives at
Neath. My father fulled to continue
working at the trade, as his eyesight
failed, being naturally of bad eyesight.
When his eyes failed him he was en
gaged by Mr. Harris (Oomer) to can
vas the county with his books, which
occupation he was engaged in for years.
It wus during this period we moved to
Bridgend. I had received a good edu
cation, and had intended being a print
er, but Mr. Harris died when I was 15
years old, and that scheme fell to the
ground. I then hoped to become a
tailor, and was apprenticed to a man
who was a tailor of some note in the
town, and succeeded in. becoming an
adept at my trade. I was very fond
of music, and could play, the clarionet
when very young, and for some time
I led a band in the towiu I married
when rather young Miss Catherine
Jones, the daughter of Llewelyn Jones
the suddler. a highly respectable fami
ly in the town. We had seven children,
of which John Is the eldest, and is only
some 2t years younger than I am. When
John wus very young I had bought
him a violin, hoping that he would
learn to play it, but I soon found out
that he had no great inclination for
that Instrument. By some means or
other a harp found its way Into our
house, and after a short time i found
John was fond of playing it, and soon
he made it burst forth Into song. I
came to know that Thomas Evans'
harp, of Newton, the Muid of Sker's
love, was for sale, and I went to New
town and bought It. It was on this
harp that John commenced learning
to play in earnest. It was rather a
poor harp, but it did very well under
the circumstances, and the boy learned
to play Welsh airs on it. Before he was
15 years old 1 determined that he should
compete for the Welsh harp that was
offered to the best player on the trlpple
harp at the Abergavenny eisteddfod.
In order to prepare him for this com
petition I tried to get the son of Mr.
Zephanlnh Williams, of Tredegar (who
was a well-known player on the triple
harp) to coach him for a few weeks,
so that they should get used to that
kind of harp. Mr. Williams 1 found had
undertaken to tutor another person for
this competition, but he allowed John
to obtain every advantage he could
by letting him have the use of a triple
harp and also by showing him a few
things. The great day came, and John
and I journeyed to the eisteddofd. Be
fore the competition came on I took
John to an hotel that was close by and
ordered slxpennyworth of 'sherub, and
made him drink It every drop. As he
went up the stairs he turned to me and
1
j
Hats and Furnishing Goods,
For men and boys. We sell the celebrated "Hopkins Hat" at $3 00; the best hat in the market for $3.00.
L L II N
said, 'Father. I am going to win.' The
time came and the competition began.
John's turn came to play. He caught
in the harp and drew his fingers over
the strings, and said that It was out of
tune. "Well, tune tt, sir," said the
adjudicator. He did so and commenced
to play. He played to the satisfaction
of all present, and was adjudged the
wlner of the harp. After the adjudica
tion. Sir Charles Morgan, astced him
how a little fellow like himself was go
ing to take such a big thing as the
harp was home. "I have my father
with me," he said. "Where is your!
rainer, I want to se jitm?" said Sir
Charles. When I presented myself the
baronet asked, "And are you the father
of this clever little fellow?" "Yes, Sir
Charles, I am proud to say I am."
"And what are you going to do with
him?" was the next question. "I hope
you are not going to let him play about
the public houses in Wales." " I beg
your pardon, sir," said I, "I should like
If I could get him into the Royal Acad
emy; but as I am only a journeyman
tailor, having a large family. I can't
see how it can be done." "Well." re
plied Sir Charles, "I will assist you. I
shall be in London at such and such a
time, and I should like you to bring
him up to see what can be done for
him." "Thank you, Sir Oharles," was
all I could say.
"Well, home we went with the harp,
John and I, from Abergavenny elstsdd
fod, but 1 did not feet much at list
until I had determined to go to Lon
don, taking with me my wife and chil
dren. So one day,-trusting that Provi
dence would assist us, we went up
take our chance. We took th? coach
at Bridgend, and took with us as
many articles of domestic as we could.
We reached Loni'on. and were lucky In
securing good lodgings. Next morning
I went to look frr Sir Cliailes Mor
gan, and managed to find him at home.
As soon as he saw me he exclaimed:
"I am glad to see you. Mr. Thomas,
you have come at the right time. Thtrj
Is going to be a party tou!ght at Lady
Llanover's house, you and the hid must
go there in the evening and take the
harp with you.'
Thank you. Sir Charles." said I.
"That evening 1 took the lad to -the
house the gentleman Informed me of,
and left him there with the informa
tion that i would call for him later.
I called at the stated time and found
awaiting me a lady dressed In silk.
She asked me what 1 Intended doinj
With the clever little boy I had left
there that evening. 'Well,' I replied,
as best I could, "I should like to put
him In tho Hoyal Academy of Music'
'Where do you live?" she then asked.
'In U street.' was the reply. 'Well,
she said, '1 will call at your hutm j to
morrow afternoon ut :i o'clock.' 'Thank
you, lny lady,' said I. and bowed my
self out. At 3 o'clock exactly on the
following duy her carriage lulled up
and stopped ut our door, in came the
lady and delighted me with the In
formation that if 1 would emlpavor to
find il'il a year for seven years to
wards the lad's education she would
make up the rest, w hich was required
to give him a thorough education, 'I
am only a poor Journeyman tailor, my
lady,' said 1, 'but I will do my best.'
'Very well,' said she, 'I will write to
my husband's tailor, asking him to
give you employment, ,
"By this means I obtained continuous
employment and received good wages.
1 lived In St. I'nul's Churchyard for
nearly twenty years, and there I
buried a little girl of four years of
age. Thus John went Into the acad
emy, where he studied hard. By night
he taught Ap Thomas what he had
learnt during the day, so both lads
profited by the kind lady's generosity.
The lads and I were engaged to p!ay
at parties all over the city. I played
the clarionet and William the violin.
It was to my advantage to live In the
center of the city, as I could then
promptly obey every call, no matter
from what direction it came. I suc
m i'
W
220 LACKAWANNA
ceeded In earning enough to pay the
20 towards John's education (which,
by the way, he has repaid a hundred
fold), while the lady paid the remaind
er. "During the last few years of mv
residence in London my wife's health
was very poor, and the doctor advised
me to take her back to Wales. That
is why 1 left London. My wife died
soon after our return to our native land
and was burled at Old CustK Biidg
end. After my wife's d a h I can-.e to
live at Maesteg, at which place I fol
lowed my trade until veiy recently.
"My son, Llewelyn, when he grew
Into manhood journeyed to Australia,
where he married. Some few years
back he buried his wife and four chil
dren within a week of each other. The
blow was too much for hlin. and he
sunk under it and died within a year,
leaving behind him one little child, a
girl, to mourn his death. As soon as
John heard of Llewelyn's death, he
sent at once for his little girl, and she
is still .with him in London, brought up
as one of his own children. Ap.
Thomas also went to America, where
he remained for several years, but he
has returned to live In Scotland. Wil
liam went to China, but I have not
heard from him since he left the coun
try. Ail Thomas saw him In New
York, where they spent some little time
together. He was a splendid player on
the violin, and I dure say he earns his
living by that means. 1 hnve a daugh
ter, who was married to Mr. Thomas
Miles, son of the late Mr. Thomas Miles,
of Muesu-g. She played the harp tol
erably well, and I dure say, so do most
of her children, who by the way ore
nearly all married."
So ended the old gentleman's narra
tive as given almost In his own words.
About years ago Mr. Thomas mar
ried the second time, to a Miss Roberts,
of Maesteg. The day following this
second marriage Ap Thomas paid a vis
it to Maesteg to see his father. He
knew nothing of the previous day's
ceremony, and eunie in upon the happy
pair unexpectedly. His first remark to
his father was. "Father, you look better
today than 1 ever saw ynu before." "A
good reason why, my son," was his re
ply, I only got married yesterday."
Ap, Thomas sprang upon his feet in
surprise and exclaimed. "1 am very
K luil. rutlier. and if 1 should happen to
lose lny wife 1 would do the same
thing." I understand that since Ap
Thomas has done, "the same thing"
and has married V his second wile.
It Is now some years since the genial
dd Welshman was laid to rest beside
bis first wile, but he is still remember
ed with respect by the many nutives of
Yr Hen Blwyf."
l.lTTl.fc PATIENCE LEFT.
From thu Philadelphia. Press.
One eua hardly leuil with imliwve the
neeuiint of hod the H.rniil.ili faith jur
ists let a Utile boy (Ho of diphtheria Iik
eause their fuiutilcixm saw no necessity
for the resort to medical remedies. There
Is a disposition among many people to he
Indulgent Willi these queer people, but It
should be remembered that the dense u
ni.runee is a menace to any couiiminilv,
since they will not only not save un Indi
vidual stricken with such a malignant
and contagious disease us dlphllierlu, hut
will also do nuihlug to prevent lis spread.
Their views on disease are opposed to lh
experience of mankind, und are abso
lutely contrary to the splendid discover.
Ies of medical science which have made
the last, fifty years illustrious. So long
as the laws of Pennsylvania prevent all
but graduulesof reputable schools of mccl
li hie from practicing local authorities
should make short shrift with the faith
curlsts, who have not even the doubtful
skill of herh doctors, mid to whom even
"old woman's remedies" are prohibited.
The faith of "Faith t'ure" Is futility, and
the science of "Christian Science" in us
false us its travesty on Christianity.
"By jove. I'm In hard luck!"
"How so?"
"Why, here's a money order I've got for
$20. and the only man in town that can
identify me to the money-order clerk Is
one that I owe fcIO to." Somervlllc Jour,
nul.
MTEu
AN AWFUL CURSE
FOLLOWED HIM
Fulfillment of Prediction Made by Mur
dered Mao's Brother.
THE STORY OF A GEORGIA MURDER
The Brother Said tho Assassin Would
Never Bleep Acaiu, and for Two
Years tho Crioiinul Had Nothing to
1o with Morphea!".
An interesting story of how the
curse of an Injured man was fulfilled
on the murderer of his brother is told
In his autobiography by Sol Smith, now
deceased, one of the oldest American
actors, and a chronicler of authentic
and Important theatrical events.
"Often very often." writes Mr.
Smith, in a book published several
years ago, "I have attempted to write
of my brother Lemuel's murder in
Georgia, but 1 could not. Thirty years
have elapsed since thut teriible event,
and yM whenever I put pen to paper
with the Intention of recording the cir
cumstances attending it, 1 was uuaoie
to do so.
"About eleven years ago I went to
Montgomery, Ala., with the Intention
of visiting my murdered brother's
grave nt Milledgeviiie, but. In the mid
dle of the night, as the train was pass
ing through the old 'Indian Nation,' a
chill came over me warnlntr me to re
turn and I did. I could not go on. Re
turning by the morning train, I deter
mined to write a history of that horri
ble scene in Georgia, In 1M2, and give
some account of the circumstances that
intended it.
"My brother. Lemuel (the youngest
of eleven of us), was 27 years of age at
the time he wus cruelly cut off from
life. He is still remembered by many
Georgians us nn actor of great promise.
How and where he became acouainted
with William Flournoy. his slayer. I
have never learned. They were to
gether at a drinking saloon at the capi
tal of Georgia on the night of the l'Jth
of November, 1S;12. Words passed be
tween them on a trifling subject. Al
though my brother had been warned
against Fkmrnuy as a dungerous man,
he paid no heed to the warning. He
remarked ti his friend that It Flournoy
wunted anything of him he might come
on. ut the same time pointing to a han
dle of a pistol, loaded only with pow
der, as it was found aftenttmrds. This
remark was communicated fn Flournoy
and saved his life from the halter. At
the time, and until the trial of the mur
derer, two years afterwards, I knew
nothing of these purtli ulars, and hud
only learned the actual facts of the
killing. Flournoy came up to my brother
apparently In a friendly manner, and
after Inviting him to drink with him,
remarked: "This is the d d rascal
who Insulted me at Klonlon.' With
these words he drew a pistol from his
bosom and lired two shots through the
body of my brother, mortally wounding
him.
"No one to my knowledge, has ever
been able to solve the meaning of the
words, 'You are the d d rascal who
Insulted me at Ktonton!' My brother
hud never been In Ktonton, and had
never met Flourney there.
"When informed of my brother's
murder I rushed to the fatal spot, and
found him welteruig in his blood. The
murderer hud fled. The victim re
tained his senses to the last, and In
formed me and the bystanders that
William Flournoy had fired the fatal
shots. A few hours afterwards he
breathed his last.
"The coroner's jury brought In a ver
dict of 'willful murder' against Flour
H A
AVENUE.
noy. and the governor offered a re
ward for his appreheimlon. Nearly a
ear afterwards he delivered himself
up. and upon such evidence as could
then be procured, was admitted to hail
and to trial on the charge of murder.
Flournoy was a rich man. and every
thing was in his favor. I was poor
and comparatively unknown. I had
never seen the murderer of my brother,
and would not have known him had I
met him in the street.
"After various postponements the
trial was set for a day In the winter
of 1S34, and. as I expected, Flournoy
was acquitted. To assist General Beall,
of Macon, my lawyer, at the trial. I
had undergone an examination and
was admitted to the bar.
"My closing remarks were addressed
to the prisoner, who sat with his coun
sel within four feet from where I stood.
" 'Whatever may be the verdict of
the Jury,' I said, 'you. William Flour
noy, are convicted of murder by your
own conscience. Before God and man
I charge you with basely murdering
my brother. You tremble now and
turn pale at the charge. Your peace
of mind Is gone, never to be recovered.
The sleep of the Innocent will never,
never more be yours. From this time
forth. In this world, you will never
sleep again.'
"Soon after the acquittal I left Geor
gia. Two years later I returned to Co
lumbus to attend to some business un
connected with my profession. Some
Indian disturbances in the Creek Na
tion were anticipated, and In , order to
avoid night travel In the stage coach
from the Georgia line I went to a liv
ery stable to hire a horse and buggy
to take me to Elliott's, where I Intend
ed to await the coming of the stage in
the morning. While leaving the stable
I was accosted by a stooping, miserable-looking
individual, wearing a
slouch hat und a great cont. The man
held out his hand, when. Just as my
fingers touched his, I felt a shock that
startled me, and I exclaimed: 'You are
Flournoy!'
" "Yes," ho answered feebly and at
tempted to come nenr me. 'I am
Flournoy; and 1 have long been seek
ing you. I heard you were here, and
I have come from my place on pur
pose to see you. Do not refuse what
1 have to ask.'
" 'I want nothing to sav to von. 1
answered, conquering my first Impulse
of nlty for this miserable wretch.
Brushing nust him, I walked away,
but lie followed me, unit catching up
Willi me, he cried:
" 'I want you, the brother of the man
I slew, to shoot me here right here.
" 'It is not punishment I ask you to
inflict, but vengeunce. f want you
to avenge your brother's murder!"
" "Yes, his murder,' he continued, for
T remained silent. '1 murdered him! 1
know it now! You said at the trial I
would never sleep more, and I never
have!"
"'Whal!' I exclaimed, 'not slept In
two years!"
" 'It Is true.' said he. I have not
slept since thut terrible flay you spoke
to me In the courtroom, i have closed
my eyes at night, steeped my senses
in brandy, but the blessed Bleep you
drove away from me that night has
never returned. My life Is a burden,
I pray you to take it take it!"
"1 could endure the scene no longer
and walking away left him standing
in the middle of the street.
"I will die tonight!' were the last
words 1 heard him utter.
"Not bavins been able to tnnke ar
rangements to reach Klllot with a
private conveyance I took the stage for
home that night, and got safely past
an Indian camp.
"About a month after the events I
have been relating my friend James
Kevlin, of Columbus, wrote me at Mo
bile as follows:
" 'The very next morning after you
left Columbus, the body of your broth
er's murderer was found at his country
place, pierced by a dozen rifle bullets
and scalped the first victim of our
little Indian war.' "
LOTH ON
1
V 71
THE
mm
124-126 Wyoming An'
Will place on, sale a complete
new stock of
Dry Goods,
Millinery,
Suits and
Cloaks,
Fancy Goods
And, iu, fact, everything ap
pertaining to a first-class dry
goods establishment. On ac .
count of our fire we had tha
advantage of being late in tho
market, and had the opportu
nity of buying all the latest ,
and newest merchandise at '
very much lower prices than
if same had been bought the '
early part of the season. We
shall give the advantage of
the reduced prices to our pa
trons and the public. All of
our damaged goods have been,
entirely disposed of. Our
stores have been completely
renovated, aud is today the
best lighted aud ventilated
store in the ciiy. We shall
now go on with our regular
business as heretofore, always
at Leader's prices.
1
j
TT