The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-01-27
LAYTON AND THE BANDMAsTER.

the middle OF the parade ground in full
a. IN.
The company officers made their re-
port to the officer of the day, who
wheeled and reported to the command
ing officer.
"Officer of the day." ordered Col.
Lawton, quietly, "have the trumpeter
sound the call To arms"
The officer of the day gave the COM
mand, and in less than minute all OF
the men permitted to ''lie in" for rev.
lille. including the bandsmen. came run
ming out on the parade ground, only
partially dressed. The obsequious band
master Hoped up to the commanding
officer. saluted, and stood to attention.
"Bandmaster." 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 a man of 'em, believe, that would
not walk through nine miles of knee
deep snow to hear a bit of really good
music. Have you ever observed this
fact?"
"Vell, I don'd so much know, sir. "
replied the sleepy bandmaster. rubbing
his eyes. and apparently wondering
what this queer line of talk was all
morning.
well, l know" went on Lawton.
It's about as musical body of soldiers
as ever I had the honor to command.
But. musical as these men are" contin-
ued the commanding officer. sweeping
his arms around the quadrangle
formed by the barracks. I'm in
command of another outfit in
this post-an auxiliary outfit, it
is true-the component members of
| which are also very fond of music. l
refer to my mules. I've often taken no.
tice of the fondness of those mules of
mine for music. Bandmaster. you are
10 at once assemble your band, in
heavy marching order. taking 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 a varied programme of select
music. and you are to play with spirit
and precision. and not lag in your en-
thusiasm. I'll be around from time to
time to see that you attend to these or
| ders. See that you do attend to them"
The soldiers were dismissed from
quarters. They bolted their breakfast.
and repaired to the corral in a body.
Then they stretched themselves out on
the grass in easy attitudes. chewing
straws and watching the performance.
The perspiring members of the band
turned up promptly at the end of the
IS minutes. and began to play for the
mules; and the mules cooked up their
ears lazily and ke-hawed and ke-hunked
approximately for some time. The sun
rose high in the heavens. and yet the
bandsmen played on. Shortly before
noon the commanding officer arrived
Give those mules the overture from
Tannhauser." he ordered. land guess
that will do for the present"
When that was done. he beckoned
the bandmaster to him and said: 81
to not think that you have treated your
comrades generously. and believe that
you should readjust the price of the
hop music. You may now march the
band to quarters" Half an hour later
the bandmaster called on the chairman
of the music Committee. and handed
him a $50 gold piece. saying:
I'D vos a mishtake. was only foolin'
NIT you fellers." SMITH D. FRY.
Mutual Relief.
Little girl visitor has been annoying
elderly spinster until the latter lose.
patience.
II wish you would go home. said she
sharply. I'm tired of you'll"
Small Visitor-I wish you'd get mar.
ried. I'm tired Of youi