Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1894 — AH SIN PLAYING IRISH MUSIC. [ARTICLE]

AH SIN PLAYING IRISH MUSIC.

A Chinese Fiddler Who Prefer* Celtic Melodies to Helicon Tone*. Extensive as is every San Franciscan's knowledge of the city’s Chinatown, says the Call, nowhere can be found a citizen who had any recollection of hearing of a Chinese who played popular airs on a violin with any sort of a touch that is suggestive of early training and an ardent admiration for music. But Lee Fong is just such a heathen prodigy, with a history that is of exceeding interest. They call him “Tom Flanagan," for, strange to relate, the boy has a liking for Irish airs and melodies and plays them in preference to the compositions of German or American composers. Tom came to California about eight years ago. He first listened to the playing of a violin at a theater in Oakland. He liked “Melican music,” and often stood for hours at a park or open-air concert listening to a brass band discourse popular airs. Finally the idea struck him that it would be posssible fpr him to learn to play the fiddle, so straightaway he hied him to a secondhand 6tore, where he purchased a violin for $6. “Me no like China music,” said he with a contemptible sneer. “Too much dum, dum, too muebee squeak.” With the help of a German, who jokingly undertook to give Tom pre- j liminary instruction in the production of harmonious sounds, the Chi-; nese learned to handle the how with considerable dexterity. His advance was rapid, and in less than two years Tom could do musical justice at any country hoe-down, and inspire even a more elevated social gathering with exhilaration when he drew music out of the violin strings. “Ilish music heep lively, ” said Tom, as he drew his finger along his violin bass string. “You like me play for you?” “By all means. ” “I play.” “The Wearing of the Green,” “Killarney,” and an Irish jig followed. Tom's arm swung with an easy motion and his foot beat time. His eyes dilated a little and his mouth twitched, showing that he felt in his very soul the vibrations of the sweet Celtic melodies.