Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-13
SIGHTS AND SCENES AT HOMESTEAD.

SIGHTS AND SCENES AT HOMESTEAD.
The Struggle Of the Brass Band-.Fun'' of
the Troops.
STAFF Correspondence of The Evening Star
HOMESTEAD, Pa, July II, 1892
Everything went well with the band so long
as the leader was in positive command, but
when each of the individual instrumentalists
attempted to obey the dictates Of their re-
spective consciences there was confusion and
trouble. There is more than one band in Home
stead, but for the purposes Of this story salts
factory identification is not necessary. At the
rink meeting Monday it was resolved to have
the local bands turn out, and only Gen. Snow
denis refusal upset the scheme. As soon as the
meeting adjourned one Of the harmonious az
gregations retired to the seclusion of its prac-
tice room, which fronts on one Of the main
streets and is open to the public gaze and ear.
marching Through Georgia" was the first
contagion in the melody, and the small boys
who were half way through the open windows
and all the way through every other aperture
that would admit boy mingled their childish
treble with the sounding brass and the tink-
ling cynabal.
The fat man who blows big, thunderous notes
suggested that as the troops were coming in on
the 18th of July 1t would be nothing more than
proper to play "Boyne Water" This aroused
the emerald-hued spirit of the clarionet, whose
forefathers had been on the wrong side when
William of Orange and his Pinkertons secured
possession of the national mill.
He insisted that "Boyne Water" should be
tabooed unless "Garryowen' was also on the
program. The band didn't know the latter air.
20 neither Of the suggestions amounted to any.
thing. "See, the ConquerinR Hero Comes
was ruled out because it would not do to admit
that any one but the strikers we're conquerors.
There was unanimity on Comrades" but it
had never before been played as a march in
Homestead, SO the band arose and stretched its
legs in common time up and down the street.
The rehearsal was satisfactory, and had the re-
ception come Of some Of the troops would have
tramped into town with the assistance of the
well-wOrn air. Only two men were confident
Of their ability to wrestle with "Annie Rooney"
tho bass drummer and the second cornet.
Both performers insisted that the others could
learn without any trouble, and so confident
were they of this that night was badly frac-
tured by the staccato toots Of the second cornet
practicing his HOMOGENEOUS part by himself. He
had hoped to coerce the other musicians into
harmonizing with him.
But the real trouble came when the leader
expressed q desire to have the crowd indulge
in q catch-as-catch-can struggle with "Hail to
the Chief" The first cornet-the prima
donna. 80 to speak-said he would not attempt
it, and he will not
While the argument was in progress the bell
of sixteen-pound tenor horn struck him in
the center Of his upper lip. II all goes we'll the
first cornet will be able to get his lips into q
mouthpiece about August II. At least that's
what the doctor says. The man who hit the
prima donna, if he parades within a week, will
wear . bandage over his left eye.
Early this morning the band, accompanied
by the prima donna, who carried a water bucket
with o chunk Of ice in it, left for Pittsburg to
ton it will travel about "a 900 miles before it
makes connection. One of the oldest inhabit-
ants, who didn't sleep at all last night. because
he lives next door to the second cornet, said he
guessed the musicians had gone to Pittsburg to
lay in additional stores of wind.
FUN OF THE BOYS.
OF course the soldier boys are having lots Of
what they call fun. There are some people in
Washington whose ideas of humor are not in
perfect accord with the views held on that sub
ject by Pennsylvania militia The jokes are SO
intensely practical, and as a rule so very
expensive. so far as the victims are concerned.
One Of the regiments on a train which
stopped at Berryville last night and few Of the
humorists went out on a foraging expedition.
The result was O very fine collection Of edible
chickens and several No. l hams.
Early this morning farmer, who prior
to the arrival Of the militia was
the owner Of the before mentioned prop
erty. called around with a bill for damages. He
was noisy and harsh in his remarks until he was
introduced to a young officer who was alleged
to be Major General Snowden. Just as the
agriculturist had concluded stating his case
another officer entered and he was declared to
be Gov. Pattison. Not unnaturally the-tiller Of
the soil, the raiser Of chickens and the curer
Of wa ipc 10 NOR of
such eminence as he supposed these were.
After q brief conversation, in the course Of
which the farmer was convinced that it was
his duty to help support the troops while they
were engaged in fighting for his home and his
rights as a citizen, the old man receipted the
bill and departed. He was only too delighted
to contribute something, he said, and if they
would only wait q few minutes he would run up
to the house and return with a few more hams
He was on his way back to the cars staggering
beneath load Of the best in his smoke house
when the train pulled out.
This morning shortly after the first brigade
arrived four men who were doing guard duty
just opposite the Carnegie offices purchased a
large pie each from a woman who was doing
her best to turn an honest penny. The boys
had Just filled their mouths up-very full in
deed-when Gen. Wylie came along. Each
man gravely laid his pie on the edge of the
sidewalk.
Him. HIM. said the corporal, his mouth
too thoroughly occupied to permit of articula-
ton.
The rifles came to "carry."
"Hmhm! HIM. A thin line of blackberry
Juice trickled out Of one corner Of his greater
facial orifice as the Springfelds moved up to
''present arms"
Gen. Wylie didn't want to laugh, but he had
to smile Just q little bit. When he had gone by
the boys ate what they had slowed away in
their cheeks and then attacked the balance.
GEO. H. HARRIEs
MILITIAMEN DRANK TOO MUCH BEER
Five Hundred Were Found Intoxicated Be-
hind a Brewery.
Paases were issued To the militia me n With ueru