Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-08-26
srwise the ..old man. about this music

erwise the "old man." about this music
business.
1.-THE boss wind TANNER" said the SOL
der TO Law ton, surely is rubbing it in
on to us some" and he told the command
ing officer Of the only terms the bandmas-
ter would accept.
Docs he want it in advance" inquired
Lawton, rubbing his chin refiectively.
He's got it in his pants pocket now,
replied the soldier. I'VE had 20 give up
on the spot.
IAN right snid Lawton. LET it go
at that
The old noncom left Lawton's presence
somewhat surprised and aggricvcd Mt the
matter of act fashion with which the COM
manding officer took his report on the
smallness of the bandmastcr.
The enlisted mems hop came off all
right. 1t was largely attended by the
sweethearts of the soldiers in the adjoining
city, and it was a bowling success. The
bands Music was OILY fairish, however,
and the bsSndmaster from his platform
perch regarded the uniformed dancers on
the floor with contempt slumboring in his
eyes. Along toward o'clock in the
morning Colonel Lawton made his appear
ancc on the floor. He enjoyed the spectacle
of his men having a good time, and he
told the boys TO 20 ahead and keep the
dance going until revcille if they wanted
to. Then he left the hall.
The hop broke up about half an hour
before roveille, and the soldiers made for
their quarters 10 get ready to stand the
first roll call of the day Tho bantlmaster
and his musicians sleepy and very ugly
over the prolongation of the dance, re-
paired to their quarters to turn in for O
few hours rest. First call for reveille
went in the gray dawn of the morning
and then assembly. When the tired sol
tliers got into line outside their quarters,
they were surprised TO see their command
ing officer, who was ordinarily a late sleep
er, standing in the middle of the parade
ground in full uniform and that at half
after ..
The company officers made their report
to the officer of the day, who wheeled and
reported to the commanding officer.
''Oflicer of the day" ordered Colonel
Lawton quietly, "have the tru,npeter
sound the call TO arms. -
The officer of the day gave the COM
rnand, and in less than n minute all of the
men permitted to Lie inn for revcille, in
Guiding the bandsmcn, came running out
on the parade ground.only partially dress
cd. The obscquious bandmaster loped up
to the commanding officer, saluted and
stood TO attention.
Bandmastcr, said Lawton, lone of
the characteristics of this outfit of mine
that delights me is that most of the men
are very fond of music. There's not u
man of 'om, believe that wouldn't walk
through nine miles of knee deep snow to
hear bit of really good music. Have you
ever observed this fact?"
We'll, l don'd so much know, sir, p" re-
piled the sleepy bandmastcr, rubbing his
eyes and apparently wondering what this
queer line of talk was all about ut such an
early hour, in the morning.
well, ISknow, - went on Lawton. Its
about as musical Il body of soldiers as
ever l had the honor to command. But,
musical as these men are, - continued the
commanding officer, sweeping his arms
around the quadrangle formed by the bar
racks, I'm in command of another outfit
in this post-an auxiliary outfit, it is true
the component members of which arc
also very fond of music. 1 refer to my
mules I've often taken note of the fond
ness of those mule of mine for music.
BandmaStcr, you are to at once assemble
your band in heavy marching order, TAX
ing not more than Is minutes for this
purpose, and then you are to march the
band down to the corral. Arriving there,
you are to begin n varied programme of
select music, and you are to play with
spirit and precision and not'1ag in your
enthusiasm. I'll be around from time TO
time TO see tnSU you aJIcllu TO Unese OruerS
See that you do attend to them"
The soldiers were dismissed from quar-
tiers. They bolted their breakfast and re-
paired to the corral in body. Then they
stretched themselves out on the grass in
easy attitudes, chewing straws and watch
ing the performance. The perspiring mem
bers of the band turned up promptly at
the end of the II minutes and began to
play for the mules, and the mules cooked
up their ears lazily and kehawed and ke-
hunked approximately for some time. The
sun rose high in the heavens, and yet the
bandsmen played on. Along toward 10
O'Clock the commanding officer turned up.
Just give those mules the overture
from 'Tannhauser, said he to the band
master, land l guess that will be about
enough practice for this morning."
The bandmaster gave the signal after
the music was passed around, and the sol
diers played the 'Tannhauscr'' overture
with spirit. When it was concluded, the
commanding officer bcckoned to the band
master.
~ have understood said he, 'that the
men giving the hop last night had bit of
a difficulty with you regarding the figure