Off the cost of Balboa, California a gathering of boats was sailing about in an unusually small space, considering the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.  Motor boats and rowboats from yachts laying near at hand all seemed trying to keep near one particular boat, and there was to be found the solution of the mystery.  A man sitting on deck was playing an accordion. 

Presently a particularly luxurious yacht hove to, and an elderly gentleman invited the “young man” to join him in a few accordion duets.  He too confessed he played the accordion.  The “young man” obliged, and after an hour of pleasant ensemble work the yacht owner remarked:  “You seem to have a very musical ear!  May I ask your name?” 

Jascha Heifetz,” replied the younger man, acknowledging the compliment to his musical ability with a smile. 

Yes, Jascha Heifetz, world’s greatest violinist, has become a real accordion enthusiast.  It is no passing fancy with him.  It was three years ago that an admirer induced Heifetz to try to play an accordion.  He was delighted with it as a musical instrument, but in playing it he was rather baffled by the bass buttons.  Undaunted, the admirer went ahead and designed an instrument with a special arrangement of basses, and some time later this arrived at the Heifetz home in Balboa, California, where the distinguished violinist spends his summers. 

Mr. Heifetz immediately caught the knack of it, and soon was gaily playing a medley of Stephen Foster’s tunes, and improvisation or two, and even a few popular ballads.  Since then he has kept determindly to a study of the accordion, finding it both a source of pleasure and a means of pleasant relaxation.  However, he was a bit discontented with his playing, for he felt that with the model especially designed for him, he was not really using a complete instrument.  Then for his birthday in February of this year his wife presented him with an accordion that was complete with all basses.  The boating colony at Balboa is as happy as Mr. Heifetz, for now they feel his accordion concerts will be better than ever.