Presto
Issue: 1925 2029 - Page 21
June 13, 1925.
21
PRESTO
of the restaurant, with a row of stools and a man
on every stool. Behind these men were other men
waiting, anxiously, for some man to get through
feeding. One man arose and Geo. P. pounced upon
the vacant seat, and rapping excitedly on the counter,
said to the waiter: "Po'k and beans and glass milk
'n huckleberry pie, and in a hurry too. Got to get
back and ship 47 more Crown organs and sewing
machines 'fore three o'clock." That's indicative of
Geo. P.'s makeup. Always in a hurry, wanting things
done in a hurry, and even now I daresay, he gets up
lots of times before day to get something off his
chest, 'cause he just can't wait. And with it all he
can be just as calm and peaceful as a sleeping babe,
but when aroused fully, the whole town knows he's
there, and working on something which most of the
time is for the benefit and pleasure of somebody else.
And now 1 propose everybody rise and join me in
feeling glad by giving three rousing cheers for this
man, and others too numerous to mention, who
though over 60 are still with us in flesh and blood
and in full possession of all their faculties.
Hip! Hip!!- Horray!!!
FRANK D. ABBOTT REMINISCES.
At times, when our worthy host has in mind giving
an affair such as we are enjoying here tonight, I am
usually appraised of the event by receipt of a little
billet doux from that gentleman couched in language
somewhat like this:
"Dear Brother A
Please come and reminisce
for us at my dinner.''
Now, I enjoy these occasions immensely, but as for
speechmaking that's quite another thing, therefore
I am generally always able to frame an alibi, and es-
cape being on the speechmaking part of the program.
But tonight,—well, this is this night! Not many
nights come along like this night. This is an oc-
casion when no alibi, no excuse, "no nuthin' " goes,
save the simple "get there boys." It is truly a case of
"come on our crutches or come on our chaises, but
come some way, be Jaises."
One condition would add much to my happiness to-
night—if 1 were possessed of the gift of oratory and
capable of making a speech such as I have in mind
to say of our host, I would, after paying him the
tribute he deserves, sit here in perfect contentment
the rest of the evening.
Those "Bent" Cigars.
It is always interesting to talk and write of this
man Bent—this unique personage who honors us to-
night, and to whom we are doing homage, whether
it be of Geo. P. Bent, the resourceful man as we meet
him today, or of the "Cent Sent Bent" Bent of
those active days of wide publicity and unique ad-
vertising; those days when visitors to his office,
friends at our music trade gatherings, and acquain-
tances galore, were tendered the Bent cigar, just
about like the ones he hands us tonight—splendid
•n quality and twisted and bent, as much as a mould
can form it; or of the yet earlier days of his stren-
uous personal activities; that period when "Gee Pee
Bee" was a title on reed organ marches and quick-
steps.
During my long acquaintance with Mr. Bent, I
have followed his career in the music industries with
great interest. I have attended every music trade
convention in which he has taken prominent part,
as either presiding officer or other executive. Such
an experience naturally covers purely interesting
events. I recall an amusing incident that occurred
at the time of the piano manufacturers' convention
at Atlantic City*. Early in the forenoon of the open-
ing day of the convention I was accosted in the cor-
ridor of the hotel in a rather brusque and hasty
manner by the president-elect of that association, Mr.
H. Paul Mehlin who, leading me aside, began pour-
ing into my ears a lot of quasi-confidential talk about
certain affairs of the association. As soon as I dis-
covered that Mr. Mehlin's remarks were intended for
Mr. George P. Bent, the outgoing president, instead
of for me, I said to him that I had spoken to Mr.
Bent only a moment before, whereupon he imme-
diately, and before any state secrets had been dis-
closed, realized the error in mistaking me for the
moment for his predecessor in office.
"Crown" at World's Fair.
The allotment of my remarks tonight being to
reminisce, I am keeping close to the rule, as you
see. and will not diverge, even to the telling of a
story to help me out. Proceeding along this line I
must say something concerning Mr. Bent's enter-
prise in getting the Crown instruments prominently
placed at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chi-
cago.
Early in the beginning of the exposition I decided
to visit all the state and other buildings where pro-
vision had been made for various makes of pianos.
Accompanied by my stenographer, who also attended
the Presto booth in section I of the Liberal Arts
section, we set out to get material for a story which
I believed would be the first one on ''Pianos at the
State and National Buildings," and which, of course,
I hoped would prove to be a "scoop."
I had expected to find many pianos already in the
parlors and reception rooms of the various buildings
visited or, at least, find them unboxed and ready to
be used, and presumed, also, that there would be
found about as many pianos of different makes as
there were state buildings or other suitable locations,
in which case I could have made an interesting story
and have gathered a lot of material for "write-ups,"
a line of trade paper work that counted for much in
those days.
Our first visit was to the Indiana building, where
a "Crown" piano was being made ready for use at
a reception that afternoon. Then to the Ohio build-
ing, where a "Crown" piano was the only one in
sight. At the Michigan building a "Crown" piano
was in use by a chorus of ladies rehearsing for an
event soon to take place.
Later that day we visited other state buildings and
several Colonial and East Indian headquarters, and
in a day or two more completed our rounds of hunt-
ing for pianos at the exposition, plainly convinced
that where arrangements had been made by the house
of George P. Bent for their instruments, or wherever
they could be "squeezed" in to take the place of other
makes delayed in reaching their destination, they
were in place and ready for use.
All of us who were at the Chicago World's Fair re-
member the delays experienced in getting pianos to
the grounds, and especially to the State buildings,
where the tardiness was more marked and in some
ways more provoking than in Section 1. These con-
ditions, however, served to emphasize Mr. Bent's
hustle and enterprise in getting his "Crowns" in so
many conspicuous places at the fair; gave added
reclame to the "Crown" line of pianos and organs,
and fame to their manufacturer, a condition hailed by
his customers and friends as a big stroke of publicity,
while he was referred to as "the early bird that
catches good bait," etc.
An Introduction Abroad.
I have met Mr. and Mrs. Bent abroad several times
during the gentleman's famous trips "around the
world." One summer we met at Leipsig, where Mr.
Bent had gone to visit the house of J. Heinrich Zim-
mennann, an important manufacturing and jobbing
concern which was then handling large quantities of
Crown organs. Mr. Bent had not yet met the head of
that house, as Mr. Zimmermann spent much of his
time at St. Petersburg, where he also had a large
establishment. I had met Mr. Zimmermann the day
before, so it became my privilege to make these two
big men of the music trade world personally ac-
quainted with each other.
My long acquaintance with Mr. Bent therefore, is
proof that I am entitled to sit here with this array
of inevitables—inevitable as to the years we cannot
escape, or, to put it a little more grimly, to sit here
with the aged!
Nevertheless, we can take courage in the fact that
neither George P. Bent nor any other man, straight
or bent, can add to or take away any years from any
of us. Aged or no aged, we are just as old and just
as aged as we are; not a whit nor a bit more or less
either way, added to or taken from. George may en-
tice us, or he may force us, into his club for the
"aged," but he cannot make anything else of us than
the bunch of live and alive chipper boys we are show-
ing ourselves here tonight to be. George cannot
make us old by calling us aged, nor make us aged
by calling us old. So that's that! But no reflections
on Mr. Bent and his good intentions; no marring
this glorious occasion by any more jokes from me on
the old and the aged.
Our host is having the time of his life, and so are
w r e. Therefore, "on with the dance" while we tender
our respects to one of the most interesting men that
has ever appeared on the music trade horizon of this
or any other country. And so, gentlemen, aged and
un-aged, a toast to Gee Pee Bee: "May he live long
and prosper!"
RAMBLING LAMENTATIONS OF ONE O F
T H E AGED.
Text: The Good Book says, if you have read it—
"Bring in the prodigals, for they must be fed."
When winter comes and youth has flown,
And life's work almost done.
It's fine to meet around this board
And tell of days now gone.
How I would love to see you all,
As you talk of times gone by,
When we were all so happy
In the days of good old "rye."
Tonight in thought I see you
Just as you used to go,
From Rid-paths to the Wellington,
After a day of woe.
In the World's Fair year, from out
Came a wise young man to town,
Why sure, it was George Dowling,
Who has achieved so much renown.
the
East,
Here is dear old Adam Schneider
Who never did anything rash,
But make you keep your by-laws
And always kept your cash.
In those days past, our Edgar Smith
Was always good to see,
He made a hit with everyone.
When he played his melody.
There's Roily Polly Furbush,
Alive, though silent as one dead,
Who much prefers to listen,
And never talks, 'tis said.
And here is E. B. Bartlett
Who's wiser than an owl,
He also is some golfer,
If you watch his play, you'll howl.
Now others still are living,
Not just in town, but near.
That we would love to see tonight,
For us, they're always dear.
Many old friends have passed away,
That we sadly long to see,
They have gone to a happier, better land,
Where from all care they're free.
Now. best of hosts, old friends of old,
As I close this dumb-bell ode,
I wish you long life and happiness,
And a "Crown" in your last abode.
E. F. LAPHA.M
OLD TIMERS.
We are guests tonight, as we oft' have been,
And here's hoping we'll oft' be again,
Of old George P. Rent who declines to grow old,
All efforts to make him are vain.
For years without number he's battled his way,
He's never said "I'm too proud to fight,"
He's loved for the enemies that he has made
For fighting what's wrong for what's right.
How glorious is youth—full of hope and of dreams,
With its energy, vision and pluck,
Experience to youth is the gossip of age,
It's flouted, until youth gets stuck.
Then father who's paid for it all that it cost,
It's the one thing that comes C. O. D.,
Makes good with a sigh,—a groan,—or a smile,
Which depends—who the father may be.
Bent's gathered us here as exhibits of age
That time has not touched nor has seared,
Old fellows in years—but young men at heart,
In none has decay yet appeared.
We're all fit to labor, if labor we must,
We sometimes have aches we don't choose,
But we also play golf, and can fox trot a bit
And we're Hell on these folly reviews.
We may have forgotten some tricks that we knew,
Our hair may be all gone or gray,
And some of us still may be daffy on vamps,
And turn darkest night into day.
We may be thought foolish, for things said of done,
We're often accused of some crime.
But give us a chance, and we'll show you the way
That leads to a Hell of a time.
You men who are dining with Bent here tonight,
Like George P., have played well your part,
You've helped build an industry that we all love
And of which we all are a part.
Xow youth must take up every role that you played
Here's hoping that what'er they do,
They'll build as you builded on honor and truth,
And that they'll be honored like you.
B. H. JANSSEN.
IMPROMPTU VERSES.
Los Angeles.
My Dear George: Tt is with deepest regret that I
WMII be unable to accept your invitation to be present
at your "dinner to and for the aged" at the Drake
Hotel, June 9. George, since I have joined the ranks
of the aged no one has done as much as yourself
to make life worth living. You are a real benefactor
and while I do not yet wear a beard, nor lean on a
staff, when I read the 1925 advertisements and realize
how rapidly changes are taking place, I feel indeed
superannuated.
George P. Bent
Into the piano business went,
And didn't give a darn
For customs old
Nor the lure of gold,
He was fresh from the good old farm.
He made some pianos
He made some cigars,
Had some fun as he went along,
Now he is old,
But by everybody I am told
Life to him is a song.
And Billy Bush, in those days of old
Was full of music, too,
He played and sung and made much fun,
'Till you wished he would get through.
Old Platt Gibbs was a good old soul,
Who always sang high "C,"
But now he's strained a vocal chord
So he only gets up to "P."
In the days of the old Victoria,
Who always stood his ground,
And drank them late and early,
George Grosvenor, I'll be bound.
Another old gray war-horse,
A Daniell at his desk,
He'll be the last to leave us,
For he must go to "press."
'•
'
Let us, like old George P.,
Try to live happily,
And make others happy too,
Let us smile as we walk,
And smile as we talk,
Who will care then when Gabriel Bluie Blew.
There, George," that "mongrel doggerel" (as J. F.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
21
PRESTO
of the restaurant, with a row of stools and a man
on every stool. Behind these men were other men
waiting, anxiously, for some man to get through
feeding. One man arose and Geo. P. pounced upon
the vacant seat, and rapping excitedly on the counter,
said to the waiter: "Po'k and beans and glass milk
'n huckleberry pie, and in a hurry too. Got to get
back and ship 47 more Crown organs and sewing
machines 'fore three o'clock." That's indicative of
Geo. P.'s makeup. Always in a hurry, wanting things
done in a hurry, and even now I daresay, he gets up
lots of times before day to get something off his
chest, 'cause he just can't wait. And with it all he
can be just as calm and peaceful as a sleeping babe,
but when aroused fully, the whole town knows he's
there, and working on something which most of the
time is for the benefit and pleasure of somebody else.
And now 1 propose everybody rise and join me in
feeling glad by giving three rousing cheers for this
man, and others too numerous to mention, who
though over 60 are still with us in flesh and blood
and in full possession of all their faculties.
Hip! Hip!!- Horray!!!
FRANK D. ABBOTT REMINISCES.
At times, when our worthy host has in mind giving
an affair such as we are enjoying here tonight, I am
usually appraised of the event by receipt of a little
billet doux from that gentleman couched in language
somewhat like this:
"Dear Brother A
Please come and reminisce
for us at my dinner.''
Now, I enjoy these occasions immensely, but as for
speechmaking that's quite another thing, therefore
I am generally always able to frame an alibi, and es-
cape being on the speechmaking part of the program.
But tonight,—well, this is this night! Not many
nights come along like this night. This is an oc-
casion when no alibi, no excuse, "no nuthin' " goes,
save the simple "get there boys." It is truly a case of
"come on our crutches or come on our chaises, but
come some way, be Jaises."
One condition would add much to my happiness to-
night—if 1 were possessed of the gift of oratory and
capable of making a speech such as I have in mind
to say of our host, I would, after paying him the
tribute he deserves, sit here in perfect contentment
the rest of the evening.
Those "Bent" Cigars.
It is always interesting to talk and write of this
man Bent—this unique personage who honors us to-
night, and to whom we are doing homage, whether
it be of Geo. P. Bent, the resourceful man as we meet
him today, or of the "Cent Sent Bent" Bent of
those active days of wide publicity and unique ad-
vertising; those days when visitors to his office,
friends at our music trade gatherings, and acquain-
tances galore, were tendered the Bent cigar, just
about like the ones he hands us tonight—splendid
•n quality and twisted and bent, as much as a mould
can form it; or of the yet earlier days of his stren-
uous personal activities; that period when "Gee Pee
Bee" was a title on reed organ marches and quick-
steps.
During my long acquaintance with Mr. Bent, I
have followed his career in the music industries with
great interest. I have attended every music trade
convention in which he has taken prominent part,
as either presiding officer or other executive. Such
an experience naturally covers purely interesting
events. I recall an amusing incident that occurred
at the time of the piano manufacturers' convention
at Atlantic City*. Early in the forenoon of the open-
ing day of the convention I was accosted in the cor-
ridor of the hotel in a rather brusque and hasty
manner by the president-elect of that association, Mr.
H. Paul Mehlin who, leading me aside, began pour-
ing into my ears a lot of quasi-confidential talk about
certain affairs of the association. As soon as I dis-
covered that Mr. Mehlin's remarks were intended for
Mr. George P. Bent, the outgoing president, instead
of for me, I said to him that I had spoken to Mr.
Bent only a moment before, whereupon he imme-
diately, and before any state secrets had been dis-
closed, realized the error in mistaking me for the
moment for his predecessor in office.
"Crown" at World's Fair.
The allotment of my remarks tonight being to
reminisce, I am keeping close to the rule, as you
see. and will not diverge, even to the telling of a
story to help me out. Proceeding along this line I
must say something concerning Mr. Bent's enter-
prise in getting the Crown instruments prominently
placed at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chi-
cago.
Early in the beginning of the exposition I decided
to visit all the state and other buildings where pro-
vision had been made for various makes of pianos.
Accompanied by my stenographer, who also attended
the Presto booth in section I of the Liberal Arts
section, we set out to get material for a story which
I believed would be the first one on ''Pianos at the
State and National Buildings," and which, of course,
I hoped would prove to be a "scoop."
I had expected to find many pianos already in the
parlors and reception rooms of the various buildings
visited or, at least, find them unboxed and ready to
be used, and presumed, also, that there would be
found about as many pianos of different makes as
there were state buildings or other suitable locations,
in which case I could have made an interesting story
and have gathered a lot of material for "write-ups,"
a line of trade paper work that counted for much in
those days.
Our first visit was to the Indiana building, where
a "Crown" piano was being made ready for use at
a reception that afternoon. Then to the Ohio build-
ing, where a "Crown" piano was the only one in
sight. At the Michigan building a "Crown" piano
was in use by a chorus of ladies rehearsing for an
event soon to take place.
Later that day we visited other state buildings and
several Colonial and East Indian headquarters, and
in a day or two more completed our rounds of hunt-
ing for pianos at the exposition, plainly convinced
that where arrangements had been made by the house
of George P. Bent for their instruments, or wherever
they could be "squeezed" in to take the place of other
makes delayed in reaching their destination, they
were in place and ready for use.
All of us who were at the Chicago World's Fair re-
member the delays experienced in getting pianos to
the grounds, and especially to the State buildings,
where the tardiness was more marked and in some
ways more provoking than in Section 1. These con-
ditions, however, served to emphasize Mr. Bent's
hustle and enterprise in getting his "Crowns" in so
many conspicuous places at the fair; gave added
reclame to the "Crown" line of pianos and organs,
and fame to their manufacturer, a condition hailed by
his customers and friends as a big stroke of publicity,
while he was referred to as "the early bird that
catches good bait," etc.
An Introduction Abroad.
I have met Mr. and Mrs. Bent abroad several times
during the gentleman's famous trips "around the
world." One summer we met at Leipsig, where Mr.
Bent had gone to visit the house of J. Heinrich Zim-
mennann, an important manufacturing and jobbing
concern which was then handling large quantities of
Crown organs. Mr. Bent had not yet met the head of
that house, as Mr. Zimmermann spent much of his
time at St. Petersburg, where he also had a large
establishment. I had met Mr. Zimmermann the day
before, so it became my privilege to make these two
big men of the music trade world personally ac-
quainted with each other.
My long acquaintance with Mr. Bent therefore, is
proof that I am entitled to sit here with this array
of inevitables—inevitable as to the years we cannot
escape, or, to put it a little more grimly, to sit here
with the aged!
Nevertheless, we can take courage in the fact that
neither George P. Bent nor any other man, straight
or bent, can add to or take away any years from any
of us. Aged or no aged, we are just as old and just
as aged as we are; not a whit nor a bit more or less
either way, added to or taken from. George may en-
tice us, or he may force us, into his club for the
"aged," but he cannot make anything else of us than
the bunch of live and alive chipper boys we are show-
ing ourselves here tonight to be. George cannot
make us old by calling us aged, nor make us aged
by calling us old. So that's that! But no reflections
on Mr. Bent and his good intentions; no marring
this glorious occasion by any more jokes from me on
the old and the aged.
Our host is having the time of his life, and so are
w r e. Therefore, "on with the dance" while we tender
our respects to one of the most interesting men that
has ever appeared on the music trade horizon of this
or any other country. And so, gentlemen, aged and
un-aged, a toast to Gee Pee Bee: "May he live long
and prosper!"
RAMBLING LAMENTATIONS OF ONE O F
T H E AGED.
Text: The Good Book says, if you have read it—
"Bring in the prodigals, for they must be fed."
When winter comes and youth has flown,
And life's work almost done.
It's fine to meet around this board
And tell of days now gone.
How I would love to see you all,
As you talk of times gone by,
When we were all so happy
In the days of good old "rye."
Tonight in thought I see you
Just as you used to go,
From Rid-paths to the Wellington,
After a day of woe.
In the World's Fair year, from out
Came a wise young man to town,
Why sure, it was George Dowling,
Who has achieved so much renown.
the
East,
Here is dear old Adam Schneider
Who never did anything rash,
But make you keep your by-laws
And always kept your cash.
In those days past, our Edgar Smith
Was always good to see,
He made a hit with everyone.
When he played his melody.
There's Roily Polly Furbush,
Alive, though silent as one dead,
Who much prefers to listen,
And never talks, 'tis said.
And here is E. B. Bartlett
Who's wiser than an owl,
He also is some golfer,
If you watch his play, you'll howl.
Now others still are living,
Not just in town, but near.
That we would love to see tonight,
For us, they're always dear.
Many old friends have passed away,
That we sadly long to see,
They have gone to a happier, better land,
Where from all care they're free.
Now. best of hosts, old friends of old,
As I close this dumb-bell ode,
I wish you long life and happiness,
And a "Crown" in your last abode.
E. F. LAPHA.M
OLD TIMERS.
We are guests tonight, as we oft' have been,
And here's hoping we'll oft' be again,
Of old George P. Rent who declines to grow old,
All efforts to make him are vain.
For years without number he's battled his way,
He's never said "I'm too proud to fight,"
He's loved for the enemies that he has made
For fighting what's wrong for what's right.
How glorious is youth—full of hope and of dreams,
With its energy, vision and pluck,
Experience to youth is the gossip of age,
It's flouted, until youth gets stuck.
Then father who's paid for it all that it cost,
It's the one thing that comes C. O. D.,
Makes good with a sigh,—a groan,—or a smile,
Which depends—who the father may be.
Bent's gathered us here as exhibits of age
That time has not touched nor has seared,
Old fellows in years—but young men at heart,
In none has decay yet appeared.
We're all fit to labor, if labor we must,
We sometimes have aches we don't choose,
But we also play golf, and can fox trot a bit
And we're Hell on these folly reviews.
We may have forgotten some tricks that we knew,
Our hair may be all gone or gray,
And some of us still may be daffy on vamps,
And turn darkest night into day.
We may be thought foolish, for things said of done,
We're often accused of some crime.
But give us a chance, and we'll show you the way
That leads to a Hell of a time.
You men who are dining with Bent here tonight,
Like George P., have played well your part,
You've helped build an industry that we all love
And of which we all are a part.
Xow youth must take up every role that you played
Here's hoping that what'er they do,
They'll build as you builded on honor and truth,
And that they'll be honored like you.
B. H. JANSSEN.
IMPROMPTU VERSES.
Los Angeles.
My Dear George: Tt is with deepest regret that I
WMII be unable to accept your invitation to be present
at your "dinner to and for the aged" at the Drake
Hotel, June 9. George, since I have joined the ranks
of the aged no one has done as much as yourself
to make life worth living. You are a real benefactor
and while I do not yet wear a beard, nor lean on a
staff, when I read the 1925 advertisements and realize
how rapidly changes are taking place, I feel indeed
superannuated.
George P. Bent
Into the piano business went,
And didn't give a darn
For customs old
Nor the lure of gold,
He was fresh from the good old farm.
He made some pianos
He made some cigars,
Had some fun as he went along,
Now he is old,
But by everybody I am told
Life to him is a song.
And Billy Bush, in those days of old
Was full of music, too,
He played and sung and made much fun,
'Till you wished he would get through.
Old Platt Gibbs was a good old soul,
Who always sang high "C,"
But now he's strained a vocal chord
So he only gets up to "P."
In the days of the old Victoria,
Who always stood his ground,
And drank them late and early,
George Grosvenor, I'll be bound.
Another old gray war-horse,
A Daniell at his desk,
He'll be the last to leave us,
For he must go to "press."
'•
'
Let us, like old George P.,
Try to live happily,
And make others happy too,
Let us smile as we walk,
And smile as we talk,
Who will care then when Gabriel Bluie Blew.
There, George," that "mongrel doggerel" (as J. F.
Enhanced content © 2008-2009 and presented by MBSI - The Musical Box Society International (www.mbsi.org) and the International Arcade Museum (www.arcade-museum.com).
All Rights Reserved. Digitized from the archives of the MBSI with support from NAMM - The International Music Products Association (www.namm.org).
Additional enhancement, optimization, and distribution by the International Arcade Museum. An extensive collection of Presto can be found online at http://www.arcade-museum.com/library/
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).