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THE CZECHS OF CLEVELAND

widow, Mrs. Musil, who is destitute and ill. Her three children, of whom the eldest is Marenka, are hungry and in tears. A kind neighbor, who is also poor, brings in a loaf of bread, which is all she has to offer. There is talk of a magic flower in the garden of Krakonos, which would cure the mother. Marenka slips out to find the garden and the flower. As she goes through the dark forest she is hindered on every hand by the dwarves elves, fairies and crickets and finally by a very dreadful witch. She is fearfully frightened but persists, and finally reaches the garden, but then does not know which flower is the magic one. Some are red, some are yellow, of pure gold, and in the center is one beautiful white flower. Krakonos appears while she is looking about; he is very tall and frightful, and in a terrible voice accuses her of trying to steal his gold. She tremblingly explains her real purpose, and he, not believing her, tells her that the white flower will cure her mother, but that the one who plucks it will die. Marenka plucks the flower, and is struck by lightning. Krakonos, horrified at the result of his threat, visits the home of the widow, places the white flowers on her breast, and scatters the golden flowers over the two children who are asleep on the bare floor. The mother begins to awaken, and rises recovered. The children waken, and exclaim at the shower of gold which had fallen upon them. A neighbor brings the dreadful news of Marenka’s death, and soon two wood-cutters come in, carrying her body on a stretcher. The cottage is full of sorrow borne with courage and fortitude by the mother. Marenka’s little form is composed for her burial, and the children gather up the white flowers and place them in her arms for adornment. To the surprise of all, the flowers restore her, even as they had restored the mother; the gold makes the future look fairer, and the final tableau indicates the happiness which comes from family love and unselfish devotion.

It is no doubt in part this childhood training which enables the adult Czech to appear in public entirely without self consciousness. While folk tales are the usual themes of the juvenile actors, the national history furnishes the background for most of the adult performances, although “Tyl” usually gives one Shakespearean drama each year.

Musical Organizations.

Side by side with the dramatic society is the musical organization. The devotion of the Czech to music is well known. A newspaper squib attributed to Bohemian men a double life,—tailors by day and musicians by night. Every Czech child takes music lessons: little girls have piano lessons first, often followed by some other instrument, while boys usually start with the violin, and often take up wind instruments also. This is considered just as necessary as any other part of their education, and it is often the means of assisting their way through college and professional schools. Its disadvantages as such an aid were indicated by a would-be athlete, who said sadly that the student who depends upon music to help him financially, can not play baseball.

Most of the orchestras of the city are made up largely of Czechs. Mr. C. V. Rychlik, one of the best known violinists of the city, comes from a prominent Czech family. Vincent Charvat was one of the best local cornetists and Edward Krejsa excels as a pianist and as a conductor. The Hruby orchestra, consisting of the talented members of a single family, for years toured the country with great appreciation. The Hruby Conservatory of music, at 5415 Broadway, is an important center of musical instruction, and there are many other Czech teachers of great ability. The Machan family also have much more than local fame. Miss Clarice Balas is now on a concert tour, and John Zamecnik is a widely known composer.

The musical society “Lumir” has maintained its existence continuously from 1867 until the present, and has combined forces with “Hlahol,” a younger organization. These choral societies produce each season an opera by some distinguished Czech composer. The most ambitious is Smetana’s “Bartered

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