Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-03
s0UsA IS A BUSY MAN.
His Band Is Now Completing 4 Fl .o0o
Mile Trip.

works easily. He certainly shows if
and, moreover, he says he does. II
would have been dead long ago, I ex-
peot, if | hadn't" he said to journal
reporter Saturday, after the concert.
. You know, work never kills a man."
he continued. IT'S the combination
with other features that does that.
Now, for the past eight years, during
which l and my band have Travelled, It
doesn't seem possible that anyone
could have. worked harder than l have
And here l am, just as you find me-
and with pause, the famous director
and composer looked up, with mighty
pleasant smile-''Just as you find me-"
he repeated.
A Journal reporter found him in the
special train, just after the concert
busy looking over some music his as
sistant had given him. 1t was piece
of his new march which was played as
the first encore, Saturday-a march
tiidl has uot Deel Named. MI SOuSa
says that he hoped to formally an
nounce it in Augusta, but certain re-
strictions prevented. 1t was superb,
anyway, and it didn't matter much
what the name was. That, in addition
to the others of his which have at
tracted so much admiration the world
over: THE Directorate" King Cot
tom Liberty Bell" Manhattan
Beach" Ell Captain" and Washing
ton Post" will make enough to make a
dozen composers proud; and the end is
not yet, Mr. Sousa says.
He is, busy or not busy, a very APP
proachable man, is Mr.. Sousa. The
same grace and ease which is so no.
ticeable while he is directing, is moth
ing more or less than his usual man
ner. Yet, much as does the atmosphere
of music surround, if not permeate his
nature. he is sympathetic to any in
teresting subject introduced or which
attracts his attention.
How do you compose a march?" was
asked.
At the evident good faith of the ques-
toner, Mr.. Sousa replied, with a smile;
1T is conceived. That is all can tell
you. There, here you are" and he
showed the original score of that new
march, all little bullet holes and
scratches" to the misunderstanding.
There is a sample.''4 e VI
Il know what you mean, of course.
And, while / wouldn't have you misin-
terpret what I say, l can answer your
question more satisfactorily. There is
q something within us, intangible, and
as heeting as it is unexplainable, which
gives us a power beyond ourselves, sol
to speak. 1t is, in a sense, an, inspira-
ton"
1t is certainly something of that sort
IN Mr.. Sousas case.
do you have to travel about so much
all the time, as you have had to inl
Maine?' was asked.
Just the same. We started. the last
of December, in California, and havel
been going ever since. This is our
eighth season. We have covered about
5COO miles with 5000 more before the
trip is ended"
The band of 50 are as playful as boys
when off duty, many of them-prob-
ably, most of them. AS the train stood
at the station, they were tossing ball
off to one side while waiting for the
special to start. The ball rolled under
a freight train and, when it had passed,
the ball was ball no longer-merely
a gathering of the insides.
1t is their custom after playing ball
his wav at different stations, to choose
some one of the number as the Grand
High Ball Keeper" TO look after IL
until the next chance comes. With the
ball all rags, they took it, unseen, to
one of the Oldest and most dignified of
"Will you be Grand Ball
Keeper? said one. very soberiy.
Certainly, with pleasure" returned
the dignilied musician, not little
pleased.
ayyelI here it is" and he was handed |
he ball of rags. Then they all hoWled.
That's the way their life goes by;
they're merry when they have the
chance and are always joking Win one
another.
A concert was given by the band in
Lewiston, Saturday evening, and in
Boston. Sunday afternoon and evening. |
Thus it goes about. here, there and
everywhere.
Mrs Phoebe Wadsworth, who lives at |