The San Francisco call., 1897-10-18
Obliging Musicians Give a
Concert at the Aims
house.
Pathetic Pleasure and Apprecia-
ton Of the Childish
Inmates,
Violin Solos by a Man Who Is
Nearing Four Score Years
and Ten.

They are like a band of little children,
those bent old people at the City and
County Almshouse. Care, sorrow, disap-
pointment, almost all the disagreed Bile
things OF this world. have entered into
their lives and left the tracery of woe
upon their counteDances. But now all
this is thing of the past. Memory is an
unfaithful servant for good or for i'll TO
those who are lingering in the neighbor-
hood OF four score years, and for many of
them life holds no hope beyond the set
ting sun, and they grieve but for the Ills
of yesterday.
1t was to cast one bright ray OF sunshine
into the lives of these old people that the
Native Sons Band, Of which r. D. Bar
ton Is leader, VOLUNTEERED to give a concert
at the grounds yesterday. 1t was nearly
IL O. clock when the band arrived at the
institution, and the OLD folks had been
waiting anxioCsly for them since break
fast time. There were many mouraful
predictions that the boys would forget to
come, or some dire accident would inter
fere with the treat, though Captain
Reddy did his best 10 assure them that
there was no chance OF anything of the
kind.
Then when the Almshouse bus, loaded
with blue-coated musicians, drove into
the yard the Joy Of the inmates vas
pathetic. In an instant their gloomy
predictions were forgotten and there was
not one among them but knew all along
they would come.
The band at once started around on a
eerenading tour OF the different buildings,
in some of which were inmates too intirm
10 come to the main grounds. Fred
Helms, who was capable musician in his
Iox- md yVS 70 " old afr q
violin in defiance OF his 81 years, followed
the band on its tour.
You must not go awav up there on
that hill, Fred, SAID Captain Reddy
Eirdly. ~ ou might die there But the
spirit of the musician was uppermost in
the old man.
81 would like to die in the harness." he
said, and he trudged along after the boys
in uniform.
In the afternoon the county's wards were
treated 10 a regular concert programme
in the area back of the main building.
1t was such a beautiful day that nearly all
the inmates were bic to be out, and they
enjoyed 1t immensely. A circle of chairs
about the musicians was provided for a
few OF the guests OF honor and the older
Inmates. Grandma Dodge, wee bit of a
lady who boasts SO years, was happy as
the proverb!al small boy with a red wagon
My husband was fifer in the army
sue ca p AIueu, IN answer 10 QueStlOn,
land that Is the reason | like music"
Wouldn't you like TO dance for us ?"
asked Captain Reddv.
mo, guess not, she answered gravely,
and thea, seeing some one smile, she
chirped quickly, But I could if l wanted
to-
1t was a great day for Fred Helms
Some lady visitors who had heard of his
ability as a musician called for a violin
solo. The old man wa Immensely pleased
and hob bled hurried.y for his old instru
ment.
Then, while the band boys kept time
with hands ana feet he wheedi ed ont
Money Musk" "The Arkansaw T~ay.
eler" and few other airs. which were 50
old nobody, not even Grandma Dodge
could remember their names.
Come again, boys" shouted the old
people, as The band boarded the bus for
town.
'W IL do it." they answered in cho~ps
And they will; for in the unmistak able
happiness that hone from the faces of the
poor old men and women who are an.
preaching the Valley of the Shadow
they received a reward which made every
man feel rich.