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THE MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
EDWARD LYMAN BILL • Editor and Proprietor
J. B. SPILLANE, Managing Editor
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GBO. B. KELLEB,
W. H. DYKES,
F. H. THOMPSON.
BMILIE FRANCES BAUFB,
L. E. BOWERS, B. BRITTAIN WILSON, W J I . B. WHITE, L. J. CHAMBEBLIN, A. J. N I C U . I N .
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Directory ol Plaao
The directory of piano manufacturing firms and corporations
._
-
.
found on another page will be of great value, as a reference
MinnUelnreri
f o r ,j ea iers and others.
Exposition Honors Won by The Review
Grand Prix
Paris Exposition, 1900
Silver Medal. Charleston Exposition 1902
Diploma. Pan-American. Exposition, 1901
Gold Medal... St. Louis Exposition, 1904
Gold Medal. .. .Lewis-Clark Exposition, 1905.
LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONES-NUMBERS 1748 and 1761 GRAMERCY
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NEW
YORK, JULY 13, 1907
EDITORIAL
W
E open a small book with a black covering, around which
runs a neat gilt border. On the front of the book is
stamped the words, also in gilt, "Patrick Joseph Healy. An Appre-
ciation." This little book contains much of interest to every mem-
ber of the music trade because in it are stray leaves culled from
the life of the late Mr. Healy in which is reflected that keen business
judgment, quaint humor and gentleness of nature which endeared
him to legions of friends in every section of the country. The
book is issued by his associates and it is rare indeed that we find
in this busy workaday world of ours that business men depart from
their regular daily duties to the extent of preparing an artistic
volume, filled with memories of one who is gone, not alone as a
memorial, but to show as well his nobility of character and how his
indomitable will power triumphed over all obstacles. In this case
it is a volume which in itself constitutes an enduring monument to
their beloved associate. The present officers of the great firm
which was founded by Mr. Healy have in this "appreciation" paid
a high compliment to the memory of a great and modest man and
they have also shown a refinement of taste which is most praise-
worthy in the preparation of this beautiful volume.
REVIEW
grade of the grammar school. His spelling was a source of won-
derment to the small Bostonions and exceeding delight to his
teacher. For, on the first spelldown, when he spelled 'shew,' and
the class objected, the teacher smilingly remarked: 'That's cor-
rect; that's the way Healy and I always spelled it when we were
boys together.' This teacher, William T. Adams, to whose dis-
cernment young Healy owed so much, was afterwards widely
known as 'Oliver Optic,' the author of the widely-known series of
boys' books."
i t / " \ N E day a clerk reported to Mr. Healy that a certain red-
V ^ headed stripling, who had grown up in the store, was
impudent to him, and must be discharged.
"'Very well,' said Mr. Healy, 'discharge him.'
"Presently the clerk came back and said: 'I have discharged
him, and he won't go. Won't you please sign a written order for
his dismissal ?'
"Mr. Healy signed the order with his customary bold flourish.
"In a few moments the clerk returned again, in a high state of
indignation, and blurted out: 'He won't go. I gave him your
written order, and he read it and tore it up, and then said, 'Oh,
you go to blazes!'
" 'Well/ replied Mr. Healy, turning to his correspondence,
'since you've discharged him and I've discharged him and he won't
go, I don't see what further can be done.' "
W
H E N he left Boston, Oliver Ditson had said by way of en-
couragement : "If you have good luck in ten years' time
you will do a business of $100,000 per year." The new firm passed
that figure before the first twelvemonth had expired. Yet Mr.
Healy found time to make a few friends, to give long and careful
attention to the problems that needed it, and from the first to be-
stow kindnesses with an open hand upon all who asked either his
advice or his assistance.
In those days one of the best known of Chicago's capitalists
was a certain old gentleman, who chanced to be Lyon & Healy's
first landlord. One day, after the new firm had been established
three or four years, he dropped in for a short chat. "Healy," said
he, "don't you want to borrow some money to help increase your
business ?"
"I couldn't afford to pay 10 per cent.," rejoined Mr. Healy;
"and that's what the trade tell me they have to give you."
"Well," replied the old gentleman in a whisper, with his bony
finger to his cautious lips, "it won't cost you 10 per cent."
And this was probably as high a compliment as the old gentle-
man ever paid to anyone.
T
O Lyon & Healy's one day came a pale and worn man, carry-
ing a violin under one arm and a roll of manuscript music
in his hand. He was tired and discouraged, for his regular pub-
lishers would not advance him further royalties. He approached
Silas G. Pratt (since so well known as a composer and conductor,
then a bright young salesman), and asked him if he could close a
contract with Mr. Healy. Pratt said, "We have talked somewhat
of getting out a new Sunday-school song book and if you like I
will ask Mr. Healy to give you an audience."
As Mr. Healy came out from the office into the store to hear
some of the musician's ideas, he took in the situation at a glance.
The delicate, refined face of the musician, drawn with a deep
anxiety, told its own story of financial distress, and of the thousand
rebuffs that had broken the heart of one of the gentlest men that
BRIEF review of the pages of the Healy biography does not ever lived.
convey a correct impression of the work. The story is so
When his music came to an end, the stranger asked anxiously:
charmingly and interestingly told it is best to preserve the individu- "How do you like it?"
ality and word phrasing of the anonymous biographer, who tells of
"That's all right," responded Mr. Healy, and he then and there
Mr. Healy's early struggles, his strength of will to overcome re- contracted for a work to be known as "The Signet Ring."
verses, and through it all runs such a spirit of gentleness that makes
About a year afterwards people began coming in to ask for
one glad to have read the book.
"The Signet Ring," and chiefly because of one certain song it con-
In telling of the early boyhood of Mr. Healy in an Irish coun- tained. At first no attention was paid to these indications, but
try village, the biographer says: "Yielding to the inevitable, the finally the song was printed separately, and edition after edition
Healy family gave up the struggle to make headway amid the was published and sold.
pretty but impoverished vales of Burnfort, and when Patrick was
In the meantime Pratt had gone to Europe to study. Three
ten years of age they planted his small feet in the classic city of years passed, and he returned to New York City. "As the boat
Boston. He had already acquired a remarkable stock of knowledge came up to the pier," he says, "the band was playing a simple tune
for one so young, and his first day in school in America was sig- that seemed familiar. As I alighted the porters were humming this
nalized by a flying jump from the primary room into the highest same air, then when T reached the street the newsboys were
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