The Washington critic., 1889-04-19
A w1ERn TALE oF navy.

Major John Burk, the accomplished ad-
vance agent OF Buffalo Blll's Wild West
Show, and Cornetist Jules Levy had
happy reunion night before last in this city.
"The last time saw you," exclaimed the
enthusiastic Major, twas" "In Lon
DOM shouted the delighted musician.
eyes ~ roared the Major, "and you were
trump then and you arc trump now God
bless you ~ The eminent instrumentalist
dashed away tear with one hand as he re-
sponded with the other to his friends vlgor-
Gus pressure. "Look at this fellow Levi"
resumed the Major, addressing the by
ISLANDERS, ''look at this fellow Levi, and
then go and tell your friends you have seen
gentleman. First time met Lovi was In
London. He was playing operate selec-
tions to 1900 people In Alexandria Hall.
was the only American among 'em. His
eagle eyo-just look at his eagle eye
singled out my sombrero and long
hair and for my special benefit he
footed out THE Star Spangled Ban
ner.' jumped up and swung my
hat and yelled, and then he gave me
Yankee Doodle A big policeman elected
nt lTOnt tnt utiis bub Hntthtu dtOuud w
the stage door and met Levi. We cracked
a bottle or two, and when we parted next
morning he had promised to come around
to the opening Of our show the following
Monday. l gave him o couple Of passes
and told him TO bring the madam. He took
'em ind thanked me. Monday came, and
humanity poured into the Wild West until
we had 5000 0people--among 'em the cream
OF the English nobility--waiting for the
show to begin. | was busy conducting
princesses and duchesses and countesses
and marcbionesses to the special seats re-
served for them, but l had not forgotten
Levi. looked all over the enclosure for
him. No Levi to be seen. Everything was
ready for the grand entree-still no Levi.
Let he go' shouted Cody, and the show
began. The cowboy band led the pro
cession. was standing behind the Ouch
ess Of Orkney and her friendthe Countess OF
Monaghan, and L heard 'em sncker at the
music. wasn't surprised, for never had
regarded the cowboy band as harmonious
institution. Well, the pageant made its
circuit and the bandsmen clambered to their
elevated stand. The people were rustling
their programmes to ascertain what we
| were going to do next. Suddenly the notes
| of cornet rang out clear and strong as a
| chanticleer's proclamation Of the morn.
started. So did everybody else, and every
| eye turned to the band stand and rested
| upon solitary erect figure in cowboy cos
| tune, with instrument to lips. A few pre-
liminary sprints up and down the scale
| spread mantle Of death-like stiffness o'er
the vast throng, and then--and then rang
out the american national hymn from the
magic instrument controlled by wizard
fingers. The assemblage sat spellbound
until the last note died away like the sigh
of Sicilian zephyr and the master sat
down among his fellows. MY God, Mary,
gasped the duchess, convulsvely graspinl
the arm of the countess, 'who is that mu.
sicianf While awaiting to hear thu
| reply OF the countess / was called
to the royal box. Major said Wales, 80
heavens sake tell me where you captured
that king OF the cornetP Why, he play
like Levy was staggered for an instant
but for an instant only. Your royal high
ness fatters our cowboy replied, who
only a couple Of months ago, was leading
the orchestra consisting Of two wind instfa
ments, bass yiol and snare drum, II
Dirty Jake's dance hall at Cheyenne, Wyo
ming Territory, U. s. A. The prince
looked surprised. Have you got man,
such geniuses out thercp he inquired
They are thicker than buffalo ON the Ne
braska prairies,' ! answered. His roya
highness muttered something about 're
markable country and turned around t.
watch the attempted robbery Of the Dead
wood stage-coach. flew to the musician
stand-to find that Levi had quietly flown
When our show was over he was en- rout
to Liverpool to catch Cunarder, and
have been unable to catch him until to
night. And here you are, and God bles
you again. was the majors ooncludin
roar, as he attempted to dislocate tn
arms Of his smiling friend, "and you dom
get away from me this time until hav
thoroughly wiped out that scurvy trick yo
played ME In London" Then the majo
dragged the maestro into executive session
-[0maha Herald.