Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-12-26
Monday, Jan. 4, 1886,
4 communicated" Advertisement.
E'HE ARION BAND OF FROSTBURG
l. have announced grand fair for the holi

ri'HE ARION BAND OF FROSTBURG
4 have announced a grand fair for the holi,
days
OTIS of music in the air The long arms of
the sons of Arion, the musician of Lesbos, are
stretched forth, as they have been so often
before, to catch our pennies, dimes and quar-
ters. Are they deserving of our charity?
We believe them to be organized for their
own benefit, and not for the benefit Of the
public. Therefore they are not deserving of
charity. What services have they rendered
to the citizens of Frostburg during the year?
1t is true they have played great many notes
correctly and falsely in their room in Meats
Opera House. But for that sort of music we
do not thank them. 1t is an annoyance to
the merchant the business man, the man on
hls sick bed, the man tired out with his daily
toll and who wants good sleep and nights
rest. 1t is an annoyance to the church-going
people in their houses of worship.
How often have the sons of Arion appeared
in our streets to enliven the evenings with
strains of music? Have they ever offered
their services gratis to play for our Sunday
school children on the Fourth of July?
They say We cannot play gratis we must
charge S25 or $50, for we have combination
with the other bands of the county, and music
must be paid for.
So, then, we are expected to support an in
stitution whose discretion is controlled by
other county bands But, to return. If they
will not exchange gratis for gratis, why do
they ask for our pennies and dimes?
A,;,, u ,I- ~
music, and offer it at the highest figure. On
whose capital, my dear sons of Arion do you
do business? Have not the citizens of Frost
burg furnished you with the capital-bought
over and over your instruments, uniforms
and other acCoutrements? No honest man
can do business but on his own capital.
1t is a noteworthy fact that when a couple
get married. or one of our prominent citizens
happens to be elected to political or munic-
ipal office, the Arions will at once put on
their new uniforms and turn out to serenade
the lucky party. Do they do so out of love
and respect for the married party, the polite
ian or the office to which he has been eeva-
ted? Do they not rather stand at their doors
in the quality of beggars, expecting nice
contribution for the few airs they play? The
newly married party often can i'll afford to
give money away in this manner. But there
stands the band with shining brass, and i'll
new uniforms, and, rather than be called
mean and stingy, the cornered benedict
throws them few dollars. This peculiar prac-
tise deserves no better name than blackmail
1t has been noticed that when the Arions
turn out they are oftcner seen standing and
playing before saloons than before the houses
Of other citizens? Why so? Because they
expect from the saloon-keepers a few GROWERS
of beer and lots of pretzels.
In consideration of this one-sided way of
dong business the citizens of Frostburg, be-
fore they again put their money into the open
hands of the Arion band, would like to know
what they will get in return. They are tired
of this never-ceasing way of begging.
Dec 26-lt* CITIZEN.