Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1903-03-05

McDevitt, standing with his hand upon
the knob of the door, called back to
Ralph. You'd better have splints and
bandages in readiness, though"
And which a careless laugh he sprang
down the steps, after his companions.
The short afternoon waned; and
night was at hand. A dense fog arose
from the river and tributary streams,
filling the valley to the hilltops-a
milk-white blanket that saturated ev-
erything it touched and muffled all
sounds near and far. But the main
street of Babylon was blaze of light
Lamps and lanterns wed with one an
other in dispelling the enyeloping
gloom. The pyramid of boxes and bar
rels at the intersection of the streets,
at the touch Of torch turned to pyr-
amid of fire. The flames cracked, leap
ed and swayed the blueblack smoke
eddied and gyrated. Crowds surged
along the thoroughfare. A babel or
human cries and shouts and laughter
mingled with the yelps of scurrying
ours and the vibrant, rasping notes OF
numerous tin horns. The muffled shut
ie and tramp of human feet accentuat-
ed the pandemonium produced by rat
Ting rumbling vehicles and neighing
| horses
Saloon doors stood wide open; and
beer stood in puddles upon the bar
room floors. Squads of drunken men
rolled along the streets, talking, argu-
ing, and gesticulating. The fearless
small boy and the festive firecracker
were in evidence at every corner; and
loaded canes in the hands of reckless
youngsters abetted the combination, in
filling the night with uproar and the
hearts of the timid with dread.
Presently the joyful shot arose:
"The FOxtown Glee Club! Out of the
way! Here comes the Foxtown Glee
Club"
The cry began in the vicinity of the
drugstore; and was repeated and echo
ed from there to the river. The throng
parted to right and left. Shouts and
cheers arose on every hand. Drawn by
four gray horses resplendent with gay
cockades and string of bells and buck
eyes, the great chariot or band wagon
rolled swiftly down the main street. Its
swan-shaped body of green and gold
was festooned with bunting and drap-
ed with flags. High in front sat the ne
gro driver, the lines wrapped around
his hands, a look of supreme impor-
lance upon his black face. High in the
rear was perched a chubby cross-eyed
man, his fat fingers fondly embracing
two pairs Of shining ebony bones. And |
in the hollow between these two prom
inent individuals, nestled the other
members of the club.
The swarm followed pellmell in the
train of the gorgeous vehicle. Women |
and children screamed ecstatically; |
men and boys tossed their hats in the |
air and yelled Justify. The black driver
majestically drew his team up in front
of the hotel, and tightening the lines
over the backs of his prancing steeds
brought them to a sudden stop. The ex-
cited people surged around the wagon
and its occupants; the patrons of the
bar poured out to swell the multitude.
"A song-give us a song!" some one
shouted in a stentorian voice.
"A sOng--A song-Giye us a song!"
was the thunderous echo on all Sides
The leader of the club slowly arose
and dignifedly waved his baton. A
silenCe-broken only by the low buzz
of whispered conversation on the out
skirts of the crowd a ripping, ire
pressible girlish giggle, or the spiteful
little voice of an exploding frecracker
-ensued. The leader whispered few |
words to his band. There was the pre-
liminatry "plunk-plunk, tum-tum' OF
tuning banjos and violins, and the I'M
pressive clearing of vocal organs. Then
came the overture-the indescribable
wall and shrek Of string and wind in
stuments-andt the song was on.
1t was an enlivening, electrifying
rattle-a nonsense medley,
with quick and catchy air. The Lead
er of the club threw back his head, and
in a clear, mellow baritone voice sang
the first stanza, the banjoists and vio-
linists softly accompanying him. Then
all the voices and instruments Joined
in the chorus-until the fog-laden air
yibrated and tingled with the melody.
The words ran:
"Uncle Sammy had boy, had a boy,
had boy
Uncle Sammy had boy, and Bryan
was his name;
Bill Mckinley BACKED his eye, BACKED
his eye, BACKED his eye
Bill Mckinley BACKED his eye, for
fighting he was game.
Chorus:
Ah-dee! Ah-di! With bum-ging
gin, etc"
As the chorus proceeded, the chubby
played of the bones" INDUCED in nu-
merous grimaces and contortions for
the amusement and admiration of the
delighted populace, finally rising to his
feet-upon his lofty perch-and click
ing off a clog to the music.
At the conclusion of the first stanza,
the audience broke into cheers and
roars of laughter. Quickly, however,
they checked themselves and breath
lessly awaited the second stanza. 1t |
followed immediately-the leader OF
the club indulging in a bit Of stage |
craft, to enhance the effect OF words |
and music. Plucking large flag from
its socket in the drivers seat, he waved |
it above his head and sang:
These are the colors we march under, |
we march under, we macrh UNI
der
These are the colors we march under
long summer day!
g.. nit-o ON, rbun-