Arizona weekly citizen., 1890-08-30
THE FEAST.
Som @ of Peculiar Attractions Viewed
 By a Tenderfoot.

LcNlA oi n iooe CfChAA4Sst w gazed upon a scene of revelry, enjoy ment and business, which, although commonplace to the old timers of this territory, is truly interesting to the ten derfoot. It was the Feast of San Aug ustine. Judging from the mum Der of his admirers and celebrators last even ing, he must have commanded considerable influence in his day. The park was literally crowded with sight seers-a cosmopolitan group of wealth and poverty-each individual enjoying himself heartily in the various attrac- tions of amusement. Although people in all stages of fortune and misfortune could be seen-men who have good standing, and men who have not-some drinking, some gambling, and some, not having the dimes to enjoy these pas times, were gazing on the scene of revelry in perfect ignorance of their own poverty, yet decorum was the most prominent feature, not a boisterous word could be heard; but the sweet strains of the Philharmonic Band and merry laugh of some fair damsel as she promenaded through the shady hooks of the park lent charm to the wierd scene. Monte, chuck-a-luck, roulette, faro, and other games of chance had their various admirers and patrons; men could be seen losing and winning good round sums with such nonchal- ance as to make us doubt whether the csin they handled was the genuine stuff, or whether they ever experienced any of the vicissitudes of this life-as we have done-in collecting few specimens of our various hints. One fatherly look ing old man, who was amusing himself by making a little mar ble rotate on revolving wheel, and raking in the coin of his patrons when the machine stopped, told us to "crack 'em down.. Not understanding him, we sought an explanation from an old friend, and were informed that the benign old gentleman had extended us cordial invitation to win some money to gamble. We did so. We placed quarter on big red patch on his table, and lost. We lost again. Got mad and bet dollar, and-quit. Still he asked us to "crack 'em down" even when we did not have a cent. Told him he could run his old game to suit himself; see how he'd come out. Hearing a strange klnd of noise at another end of the park, we started over to investigate. We were told that it was the San Xavler Rawhids Band tuning up. Such band; two fiddles two drums and a dirty faced boy with a sort of mouth-organ. We were told that these musicians had en- livened the precincts of Tucson, since childhood, with strains from the same instruments, and that they had once been owned by Augustine himself, in days when he was not so popular as he is now. This band is a combination that must be seen, heard and dreamed about to be appreciated. for it is lncap- able o description, and defies the magic of instantaneous photography. Wrap ped in the half gloom of the unlighted side of the dancing pavilion, the wild, wierd and eccentric music seems to be gathered up into small handfuls, and from motly group of half-clad tomale- munching specimens of laurel-colored humanity, they are thrown out upon | the air and into the ears of the astonish- ed sight-seers by the sudden and spite | ful hump of an asthmatic bass drum. l There is a sort of eccentric cut off to | their strains, like that of a steam en- zine, and the bass drum represents the vigorous exhaust. There IS only one
 San Xavier rawhide band in existence,
 and when they are gathered up and
 white washed, and presented little wings
 and given golden harp to twang while
 riding across from world to world, across
 the damp clouds, the greatest wonder of | this lyric world will exist only in this
 meagre history. It is worth going miles | to see, and after 1t IS once seen, 1t is
 worth going more miles to get out of the way of its thump. Like the burro when he once starts on few Dotes of
 hls unearthly bray, nothing can stop the San Xavier Band when 1t starts tune
 until the last note is forcibly thumped out on the bass drum. A burro will
 sometimes get ashamed of himself and attempt to run the end of his bray down
 as we have often seen him running and
 praying at the same time. Not so char, itable is this double-forty band. The
 tiddlers just shut their eyes, screw theil
 chins down on their instruments-and
 you get your moneys worth.
 The park looks better this year than
 we have ever seen it, The booths pre-.
 sent an attractive appearance, a fine
 band stand has been erected, and there
 is good seaGing capacity for those who
 tire of the promenade. All the olC
 time sporting men areagaln at their olC
 places, and the saloon men have fitted | un'some handsoma bars
 It was stated last night that Printe
 Jack..and Pan would give fistic enter tainment in Levin's hall, for the pur pose of raising funds to start ken'
 game, but after waiting until midnight and getting pretty we'll knocked out our
 selves, we left.