The sun., 1888-06-17
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Loud and clear sounded the notes OF a
bugle. and hardly had tho echoes that they
awakened died away before men, clad in the
undress uniform OF soldiers, wore seen comm z
out OF the band barracks Of ono Of our harbor
forts. Each carried his instrument in his hands
or under his arm. and their steps were d.
rected. as II by common impulse. toward long
hall-like room In the basement OF an adjacent
building. The bugler whose summons had
brought these men out, did not follow them.
and SUN reporter endesvored to get from him
few points about his profession and tho band
that had just passed out Of sight.
Yes" said ho. most people call me o
bugler. though just why I can't zee. for my off,
cial title is company musician and the in
strument use is O trumpet not bugle. which
has kcys whie my instrument has none. All
OF the different notes must be made with the
lips when trumpet is used, and 1t takes long
time to learn it. Some men can't even make q
sound on trumpet Suppose you try It"
The reporter raised tho shining instrument
to his lips, and blew through 1t as he had
blown through the tin horn OF his early youth.
but not the faintest sound followed his effort
trumpet sounded on it q blast that must have
Yes, said he. I've been at this business
all my life. When l was l6 years old enlisted
as flfer in an army drum corps. but drums
are things OF the past now One or two infantry
trumpet. for soyeral reasons @ The trumpet can can
be heard fIE,her and ts therefore better for
music for marching. Then drum gets ont Of
order easily. but trumpet may be dented al
mopthpiece and bell remain it can be Used. -.
Did you ever hear about old Weitzells
@ sh he Me a Ts s Ne %nl wss 6Sy 1s % nsss
after his death the men in the band barracks
were awakened by the most doleful sound you
being sounded. but no real trumpet ever pro-
due dmced sHch ava waiilnG ling sorrowlgl sonnd as that
exercising lis phantom lungs si' on shostiy sdiS
Trumpet. Night after night the, thing was re-
peated. until guard was secretly posted. and.
a tire-engno nozzle from the engino house
devil He had % pay dear for fi his M fun Il for he's
.,.; The band? On they have gone in there for
lust IN time for guard mount at O'clock"
.MHGCw .HGys many men men are allowed to the band?"
"Three? Why, there must be at least twenty"
M, Yes, but only three are allowed as band.
The Others are tax from the men Of the dit
principal musicians form tho nucleus of the
band: and are the only men allowed MS band.
instruments and take tho places in the ranks
al moments warning. 1t Is sometimes diff
cut 10 sel men 10 III lneSe tnree plnccs. 1Or
the pay is not great enough to be very tempt
Ing to n man who can mako his living In civil
life. The duty too. Is hard and the disc pliro
Is irksOme to men unaccuStomed to it. Often
you can see an advertisement standing for
weeks in front OF recruiting Office in the city
before any one can be found Ut the Same time
capable Of lillinG the place and willing to
accept the offer.
Now. nt this post the members OF tho band
have to attend morning and afternoon band
practice: rig. out in, full war-paint and 20 10
guard mounting in the morning and parade in
the evening besides giving concerts two after
nocns every week In tho winter though,
they have pretty easy time OF it: only ono
band practice a day and lots Of money to be
made outside playing ut parties and balls"
Latcr IN tho day tho chief musician, IL pleas
ant faced German said:
Yes. 1t is pretty hard to make a silk purse
out of u sow's ear. work hard with my band.
but they do not play as well as should like to
have them. We have n few flrst-clas musi-
clans. but the rest are not what they should be-
We have to take what we can get and what tho
recruiting depot sends MS. About month ago
a man enlisted here for the band: He was one
OF the finest cornet players that l have heard,
and he could play violin equally well. I
wondered why man of his talent and skill had
enlisted Tor sl3 q month, with board and
clothes, buta couple Of weeks after his enlist
ment ne went on u protracted spree and tho
reason was clear Most Of his enlistment will
DO spent IN the guard house, and precious little
good will his talents do me or the band"