The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-03-26
THE MECHANICS, RANp.


[Some of our older readers may re
member the old Mechanics Band u
Bennington. That is the band referred
to in the article below, supposed to b(
written by Rev. Chas. S. Robinson, d
7 D., and published in Erery HWSddJ
his delightful paper under the nom d,
4 plume of Rev. Simon Peterson. Some OF
the names are changed but the story is
founded on facts. That splendid
musician, Frank Slye, lost his life, as
the result of the effort at Saratoga. His
E. flat bugle was placed in his trunk
and kept to the day of his death, and he
has told the writer, that no inebriate
ever lOnged for q drink, as he lOnged,
when he trusted himself to look at it,
to take it out and play upon it. He
could, however, play the violin and
sweeter music never came from that in
strument-ED.
1t did not require many seasons before
the Mechanics Band of Bellingham had
gained a good name at home and abroad.
We appeared on almost every parade
in the county. At June training and
general muster our services were Ill great
demand. On several occasions at pic
MICS, once at midnight when a city fel-
low wanted to serenade a young lady at
the State Arms, and each Autumn at
officers drill we had done excellent SER
vice. Frank Slye gave up his valve
trumpet after the first year, and took
the bugle alongside of Chandler. Usu-
ally he chose the larger instrument-the
b flat-but he always carried with him a
little tough fiat beauty which every
body knew and loved.
1t was frghtfully hard to play, as all
small embellishments are; but when
Frank unSlung it from his ribbon on his
arm, and hung the heavy one down in
its place, we all understood there was
going to be some music in the air. And
all Mount Anthony's echoes were ac
quainted with the sweet ringing voice of
silver there was inside of it.
| We all loved Frank Slye as rarely man
is loved. There was in him something
so gentle and winning, so arm-hcarted,
so enthusiastic, so bright and manly
oh, it was fine to follow in the line of
such chief.
One summer we received an invitation
to take part in the grand celebration of
Fourth of July at Saratoga. This was
the highest compliment ever up to that
| time sent to us. We believed we could
do our duty and meet every expectation.
But we all understood that this was the
greatest responsibility we had yet as
sumed. What made the occasion more
exciting was the announcement that
with us had been invited also the great
Mendalrs Band of Boston, with the
world renowned ED Meudall' at its
head, with his silver buglc-prize of a
hundred successes, Should we go?
Would we take 'stuup" like that?
We all said we would ''risk' Frank
Slye against the best of them. And Bill
DanfOrth raised his valve-trumpct high
over his head just as if he proposed in
Stantly to give three cheers. But Bill
did not carry much weight; for rrcally he
had never got along in all these years.
He could march irreprOachably hut he
could not play q note that any decent
echo would dare to repeat even behind
Lot AlipaysOn's barn. But he was faith
ful at all rehearsals ard pleasant as
company; and he was just as SNOWY
there at the end of the platoon, with his
eft-handed instrument silently sticking
straight out, as one of those mock pipes
in big organs, at any rate.
We agreed to go, and ultimately at the
date we were on hand. At that time
saratoga was the main resort of the
veal b and fashion of our whole cOun-
ry During every summer crowds of
visitors tlnOngcd the place to taste the
waters and while away the hot months.
Much enthusiasm prevailed. The MeXi-
can War had brought many heroes into
celebrity Some of the officers of our
lrmy were going to be there at this an
lniVcrSaTy. 1t was even rumOred that the
President of the United States might
possibly be coming with them. 1t may
De understood that we practiccd our
pieces with unusual care. 1t is no
use to smile, but now really own that |
drummed through painstlkingly by note
out in the carliage-house every tune in
the book from beginning TO end. And
vanished my sticks and rubbed up the
buttons of my uniform with whiting, till
to my modification | discovered | had
secured through the silver plating down
to the copper and had to hurry up with
anew set.
The day was all that could be desired;
Jhat is, considering itwas July weather.
In order to reach the town we were
Obliged to start at one o'clock in the
morning; we drove across the country
with four horses and arrived in time tor
4 magnificent breakfast At once we
learned that Mcndalps Band was indeed
present.
For on every corner and cross-road
great posters of yellow and blue an
nOnI ed the engagement; and when we
came i'll the newsboys were selling copies
Of the Saratoga paper displaying fierce
Cut-albeit little stiff in the artistic
work-showing Mendall's Band at its
best, with all that type could do to set
off its Cmincnce and fame. II was not
even stated that the Mechanics Band of
| W. m l,n
The poorest of all wisdom in this world
(sO | av, since lelrned), is shown in an
nOuncing that one has been snubbed, by
making vOciferOus complaint of it.
when possibly no one else has even OBJ
served the fact. We were fOrewarned of
a set-to of serious competition.
But we were hardly prepared to receive
the information that their leader had
Expressed undue displeasure, amounting
almost to impertinence, when he was
told that another band also had been in
vited, and was expecting to take part in
the celebration. 1t appeared, so far as
we could ascertain by inquiry, that Ed
Nendall was annoyed at the apparent
rating of himself as on q le Tel with other
musicians. And we heard that he had
indignantly proposed our people should
be sent forward to the grove where the
speeches were to be made and all that
and be left to wait there; for he would
mot lead tile procession with another
band tagging on behind him.
"How can know" he said, with a
sneer when the cubs begin to paw their
instruments, but that somebody from
the army will imagine they are my play
ers, and blame them for being suddenly
drunk on Saratoga water?"
That made our man Wingdon Allen
angry; and in a few minutes he whis-
pered to Frank Slye, a ID they two went
arm in arm off to find the committee.
When they returned announcement was
made that we were TO take part in the
procession and have our fair share in the
duty and recognition of the day. But
the native modesty aud courtesy of our
leader were shown in the concessions lie
had offered that Mendal's Band were to
have the lead and were to start of first
in play. That is to say the two bands