Partnership Educators,
Jimmy had that accordion since he was sixteen. Ever since his father had gotten it from their hardware store from a member of a traveling carnival. It seems that the carnival worker had purchased more than he could pay for and used the accordion to settle his debt. Dad then bought the instrument and brought it home to his son. Jimmy and the accordion were inseparable from then on. This was a true story that Jim loved to tell each time before he played his accordion.
One night he made his professional debut. Jim had moved to New York City and shortly thereafter he and a fellow named Hank had become best friends. Well, roommates in fact. They were invited to a party and Jim brought his accordion. Predictably Jim told that story about how he and the instrument had met and then he entertained until the early hours of the evening. It was three in the morning when Jim and Hank finally headed home.
Between that party and the subway station was Timesquare. It was there that Hank got an idea. It was almost pitch dark out there, there was hardly any traffic, and so was the perfect setting for an accordion concert. “See if you can draw some people with that thing,” Hank urged. That drew a smile from Jimmy and the two men stopped right there in the middle of Timesquare. Within the city shadows, Jim started playing his accordion. For long minutes that music was the only sound in the night. Then one by one an audience assembled. They wore the tattered clothing of the around-the-clock residences. They came from around corners and doorways from which they were sleeping. Jim and Hank were dressed in suits and ties stood amongst the assembly of ever-growing numbers of folks coming from everywhere to listen to the music from Jim’s magical instrument. Jim kept playing as many of the assembled audience members would call out the name of a popular song. Jim, while grinning, would honor the request of all that he could, and the audience obliged with roaring applause. Hank then took his hat and passed it around in recognition of Jim’s musical prowess. Those present did put items in the hat.
The festivities might have continued until dawn if Jim wasn’t interrupted by a hard wrap on his back. The wrap came from a nightstick that was attached to a New York Policeman. Everyone cringed in the audience. The officer admonished Jim and Hank because it had taken the officers three hours to get these folks to settle down for the night. He told both Jim and Hank to leave so they can start helping these folks settle back down. Jim and Hank obeyed the order and headed home for the night.
Nobody can recall how the two of them split the nine cents and other odds and ends that were given that night in Hanks's hat. This was the first professional appearance for these two performers back in the 1930s’. You might know the hat-passing individual as Henry Fonda and his Pennsylvania-born accordion player named Jimmy Stewart.
During this time of giving, it isn’t really about the amount that is given but the nature in which it is given. Those appreciative individuals within Timesquare gave what they could from the heart of joy at the performance and time given to them. Thanks to all that you do to give the lasting gift of educational knowledge and caring kindness. Those acts will carry forth in value as every student grows to adulthood. We may not see the fruits of our gifts but those seeds will grow.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Rob