, 1901-10-12
A NJ uSiCal Crew

Conductors come, conductors 90,
And brackm"n who are clever
May lose their job for quite Il while,
But W" stay here forever.
Thus may proudly sing tn" quartet
of culorcd walters who daley cater to
the want and whims of the fastidiOus
traveller ia Burlington dining cars
between Omaha and Denver.
There are other crews of walters on
the Burlington. but this particular set
of colorrl individuals run on the Chi
cage Special, and they have gained for
Themselves a worldwide reputation
as being the Musical Grew"
SO pOpoular have become this quar-
tct of walters that they receive the
ed hunors lie in the distinction of being
placed at the disposal of some noted
parsonage. or party, which is destined
to pass over the Burlington. and will
need IA diner.
In this event the " Musical Crew" re
linQuisheS the ardent duties of its re-
gular run and, at times, goes flying
half way across the continent as at
tendahts upon royalty or noble blood.
Other crews are constantly chang
ing, and in them the 'Rastus who made
up The quartet of polite walters ycStcr'
Jny uivag 10 the prhnnn S1mh M nf 70
day. Not SO with the Musical Crew
They have worked intact, side by side
for four successive years, and there is
no disposition on the part of the Bur
linton commissary department to
break up the little party. They
hold the worlds's record, not only as
dining car entertainers, but as an lnse
parable crew.
Last call for supper" is always
joyful sound to their ears. Not be
caus" they want to evade any work
but %boCauCc, like darkies of the Older
sunny south, they long for the houl
when they may realize what is meant
by tn" southern melody,
In the evening by the moonlight.
When the darkies' work is oven
We gather round the fireside
Till the hoe-cake is done,
And then we eat Il supper
And clear away the dishes;
"Tis the only time We have to spare
To have a little fun.
And this is just what they 10. Nc
sooner are the dishes cleared away
than the order is given by the head
waiter to make ready" for the even
iuS's festivities. The tables ar" clos
ed up and the chairs moved in dress
circle arrangement, and then the WORD
is whispered drought the train that
royal. free entertainment is soon tc
take plaC" in the dining al
There is always some one in eaCl
car to get up and say Come on ladies
and gentleman, it's all right: | have
heard it before" And then a hall
dozen or more passengers follow i
leader from each sleeper. All seated
Uncle Able will take his fiddle down
And Sambo gets his bones;
While 'Rastus plunks his old banjo
Joscphus Sits the stones.
Then the curtain rolls up, and the
show is on. Did ever the audience
hear such melodies? The faint rum
bic of the car wheels lends encbant
ment to the music. while the gentle
motion of the train seems to rock one
into uI~IrCstraincd repose. lulled by
the soft music of Il southern air.
The melody is ended and the players
rest their instruments. There is a
pause. a silence. and then a storm o.
applause fills the car.
The Musical Grew" start again If
response to the encore. This time it is
a southern song-perhaps. My Ole
Kentucky Home" What soul is there
that is not thrilled by the harmonious
rendition OF this beautiful old melody,
But hear it on a moving train or 8
blowing river steamer, if you want tc
drink in its full inspiring power.
Outside the silver moon lights W
the open plains. Far back in the west
the snowy range in the Rocky moun
tains fade like a fleeing cloud. but the
little audience in the dining car has nc
time for scenery.
The show goes on. Ragtime seleC
tons follow melodies. while song anc
dance come in their turn. For ar
hour this program is kept up. Their
the curtain rings down and the show
is owe
Recently when the Golden Cat,
Commandery. Knights Templar. o
San Francisco. went to- the Triennia
Conclave at Louisville. Ky. the
Musical Crew was sent as for ives
as Leadville. Colo, to- meet it anC
take charge of the dining car.
The first night out the quartet gav'
one of its entertainments. So vel
was it appreciated that the Knight
made an urgent request that the crew
be permitted to go on east with them
The request was granted and tn