Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-25

horse was present when that band struck
up NO. in the new book" and 1t began
waltz In horse knowledge either a
march or waltz would do. The drummer
was doing his best to puncture the air
with large chunks of calfskin music and
saw not the antics of-the horse. At each
leader saw the situation. and. instead Of
silencing the band, he signaled the drum
mer. The latter was not on to the for
mer's curves, and mistook the signal. In
his mind he was saying, Til be on deck
when the procession gets under way" and,
gripping his abnormal stick with the feroc-
ity of mailman, he piled 1t with an In
creased violence.
or foot--and just clearing the cymbal play
er. who was adding brazen melody to the
general fund, the animal went among
those amateur musicians as does wlnd
when it discerns pile of feathers. 1t was
the first sad experience Of that gaudy
troop, but, beyond that, the exercises were
without excitement.
Drum. 1 Should Remark!
The ice was broken by the event of Me-
mortal day. The members of that band
gained in confidence as the novelty of the
situation wore off, and the fame Of the
organization spread. 1t had out-of-town
engagement, held fairs, the proceeds Of
which went into new uniform fund;
harder music was essayed and even 1.-The
Blue Danube waltz was found among its
selections. There were solos for cornets,
for the baritone, for the tenors. for every
body, and the supporters were pleased
In the eyes of the small boy however
the snare drummer was the only MEM
Der of that band. These We're they VINO
aspired not 70 tcot on horns of brass
but to drum. Had they not. in secret
battered the copper bottom of the old fam
uy washboiler in their endeavor to master
the intricacies of the art of drumming?
Had they not received mighty inspira-
ton when following the veteran drummer
at the head of the militia company on
training days-the veteran VINO had drum
med at Lundy's Lane? That veteran had
but recently passed away, and MS mantle
fell on no one. His successor, however, In
the opinion of those boys, was the drum
mer in that country band. and around him
they fiocked, even as hornets around the
old gray nest in the apple tree
But there came time when the drum
mer owned the town and all the inhabt-
ants thereof, and even more did he be-
come the envy of the small boy.
Greatest Solo on Earth.
1t was when the leader ordered a new
piece. Its title was Drum Solo Quick
STEP 1t was when the piece was given
cut that the drummers heart swelled with
pride He took it home and studied 1t.
Eight measures rest for all the other in
struments. but solo for him,
Out back of the barn ne went, and while
the neighbours horses and COWS stamped
a seeming applause, and the eggs in the
nests of setting hens became added be-
cause of the continually confused atmos-
phere. the drummer wot it not He wres-
tied with that solo until he was sure of it.
Then came the night of band room prac-
tice- The new piece was played for the
first time, and when the eight measures
rest came for the wind instruments there
was a sudden but brief calm. The drum
mer with all the assembled multitude
looking on, squared himself and cut loose.
1t was a success He didn't skip even SO
much as 4 hairs breadth OF time in get
ting to work-and he was happy.
The following Monday evening the new
piece was .on the prosram-Drinted in the
local paper-for the band stand playout.
The night came, the piece came. the eight
measures came. The one >who was to do
the beat on the instant, and with the myr-
lad small boy in attendance-whe had
also read the programme jumped to his
task He gave that audience a selection
never before heard in drumming circles
He gave excerpts from the five. seven and
nine-stroke rolls, the single and double
drag. two-four and siX-eight. the fiama-
diddle and all other quick beats known to
the craft. and had ne beel given two
measures more he would have given
spdsm from the Dead March in Saul
played only on fui eral occasicns-so anX-
icus was he to show his prowcss.
He had his day, and was succeeded by
otaer-equally good, and, possibly, better
drummers.