Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-06-29
THE GERMAN BAND
PorIpatetio Musicians who Can he Fou N
All Over the Globe.

All over the GLOBE
A more lugubriouS spectacle than is
presented by q German band droning
forth Herr, mciu Harz" In front of
your window in snOw-storm it would
be difficult to imagine. We suffer
much from German bands. but We
have only ourselves to thank. love
music and am possessed by the de-
fusion that it is my duty to encourage
the practice OF instrumental eXecu-
ton. Eve or six years ago there was
n band of eight or nine performers
who perambulatcd Norfolk, and they
came TO me at least once month.
When they appeared | went out TO
them and gave them a shilling, air.
ing my small modicum of German
periodically. and receiving flattering
compliments upon my pronunciation,
which gratilied me exceedingly. These
people disappeared at last, but they
were succeeded by another band, and
very inferior one, and | took but
little notice of them. There were
seven of these performers cornet and
two clarionets being prominont-very.
However they got their shilling and
vanished. Three days after their
departure came another band; tins
time there were only four, thought
that rather shabby, but was busy.
did not take much notice of them, and
again gave them shilling, The cor
net-player was really quite respccta-
BILE. Next day came four more. and
there was no cornet only the abomin-
able clarionet 1t was insufferable. ]
said l really must restrict myself to
sixpence. and that was fourpence
more than they were worth. Two
days after their departure came n sim
glo solitary performer; he had pan
pipe fastened under his chin, peal of
bells on his head. which ho caused to
peal by his mods, pair of cymbals at-
tached to one of his elbows, big drum
which he beat by the hold of crank
that he worked with one of his feet,
and q powerful concertiua which lie
played with his hands. He led off
with q dolorous choralo in q minor
key. 1t was really more thnn flesh
aud blood could bear Send him
away Jemima. Send him awayl
instantly! Tell him l am
schr krank Send him awayr'
The fellow smiled with unctuous COM
placency. But when hc got only two
pence, his face fell. Zach, neinl You
plaiss ~ professor, no geeve one
shilling 10 re band-I am re band.
He gccve 20 band only twopenco. He
do not understand am 20 barh! You
plaiso tell him | am 70 baud!' mol
You're to go away. Masters very
krankyv n band loitcred for half a
minute, then it took itself 10 pieces
and went its way. But the fellows
hint about the shilling was significant
and led 10 an investigation. Then it
turned out that the band Of seven or
eight which was going its rounds that
year. split itself up when it came into
my noighborhood, aud. in view of my
shilling, presented itself In two de-
tachmenls, each of which reckonod on
my shilling, and several times carried
1t on. Now l give one penny for each
performer, and only when there is n
cornet do send ont coirco to the in
sirumentalIstS
1t was, however. not In flesh and
blood to withhold tho shilling from
The players of that quartet on that
bitter morning. 1t was hearlrending
to think Of their having at the peril Of
their lives staggered through three
miles Of snow-drifts 1t was inhuman
to send them away without coffee.
And they had it accordingly. Poor
things! poor things! Whero woro they
goingl They were going back to the
Red Lion" II stones throw or where
they had slept the night before. and
where they meant 10 spend this night
In deliGhting the hearts of tho rustics
by wallz0s and polkas, and gathering
not such bal harvest for the noncc.
'IOr' sir! said Mr.. Style, ITO hear
that there trombone Soleing Rule
BritanniaH That made you feel hc
was real musician--that he didl"-
DR.. Jessopp IN Nineteenh Century.