The Ottawa Free Trader

A Musical Phenomenon.

Yesterday morning a Constitution reporter observing quite a crowd gathered about a negro boy in the car-shed, approached and inquired the cause of the excitement. He discovered that the boy was a musical prodigy on a very unique scale. By placing his right hand over his right ear and partially opening his mouth this boy gave the exact imitation of the musical tones of the Scottish bagpipes, playing many airs with perfect accuracy. The music seemed to come from the inside of the boy's head, and many people were attracted to the spot, thinking that the bagpipes were giving forth their rich, mild melody. The boy was very accommodating, and played many airs, gliding with ease from the gay to the grave. For instance, he played "Dixie" with great spirit and rapidity, and then in the slowest and most mournful cadencies gave "Streams of Mercy Never Ceasing."

His name is Alonzo Barnes, and he hails from Eastman. He is only eighteen years of age, and says that he found out by accident about three years ago that his head was full of bag-pipes, and has been practicing upon them ever since. He said that he could play any tune that was whistled, whereupon some one in the crowd suggested "Pinafore." He had never heard of the piece, he said, but called upon man after man in the group to whistle it for him, but not one seemed equal to the task. All admitted that they had once heard it, but so long ago that it was difficult to recall.

The boy holds nothing whatever in his mouth, but simply places his right hand over his right ear, and without the slightest effort starts his bag-pipes—the Lord only knows how—the boy can't explain it.

He is a living wonder, and would be a feature upon any stage.—Atlanta Constitution.