The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-05-18
By Allan Rogers.

ONDON, May 6.-(SpeCial l-IhiS
is the story of the Stars and Bars.
IL of the flag that's melted in the red,
white and blue of the union as told by
the south Georgia sheriff in a London
cafe.
It all happened last night and The
Constitution man is hurrying to get it
on paper in the hope that at least some
small fraction of the inspiration of the
occasion may find it's way to some of
tthe many friends of the big man from
the wire grass country.
AS stated above. the time was last night
and the place cafe Just off Leicester
square, at OH time the most cosmopoli-
tan and Bohemian place in all London,
q favorite refuge of foreigners and tour
ISIS and rendezvous of thespians from
81 the play houses of the theatrical
w6Nd just beyond.
1t was late in the evening, as was
evidenced by the arrival of guests whose
faces were familiar from photographs IN
all of the London shops and whose names
were to be found high up in the pro-
grammes of theaters from the Savoy TO
the oxford music hall The musicians,
tco. In the Hungarian orchestra were
"beering up, privilege not permitted
until after the intermissiOn-
There was the usual tuning up tor
eure that prefaces every musical siege.
and then wonderful "Rhapsodie" stilled
the rafting of stems and glasses to al
most the quiet of silence, and it was just
possible to hear the walters hurrledly
tiptoeing after orders-for this particu-
lar number is something Of divine in
etitution at this cafe. There came the
regula ton nightly demand for an encore
and with the encore the first strains of
the Austrian hymn-"Heimmeh," l be
lleve It is called-and for the rest Of the
evening the set programme was done
sway with.
With the very first notes some dozen
o. more Austrians rose. and with their
'Munchen" filed stems, sang with that
peculiar expression of lonesomeness that
tells OF 4 home that IS far away. Others
who knew the air Joined in aud the
end found us all on our feet pledging
Austria. Austrianz and all things Aus
TRAN. Il was great. and by special re
quest the 'Kaiserland'' followed There
were many Germans in the cafe. and the
voices all spoke Of a musical training
found only In the Sangerbund country.
Again we were all on our feet with
'Hoch der kaiser for the toast.
Several cards were sent to the leader
Of the orchestra. who turned around,
smiled graciousIy and in another momen'
the ''Marsellaisa," that marvellous bat
&c song of France was being sung as
only the French can sing it. The Italian
national hymn followed and then God
Save the King and afterward. with the
second verse some patriotic traveller pull
ed out Old Glory and to the same music
there We're many of az who sang Amer
Tea the very best and loudest posi-
Die
Sitting a our table was Charlie Sweet
you all know him. Of course-who was
doing an eight weeks enga cement with
his musical burglar" act at the Empire.
Il reckon you all don't happen to know
Dixie. remarked the south Georgia
sheriff No I don't" said Mr.. Sweet
that is. / don't remember the words.
And then he excused himself In a few
minutes he returned and just ne join
ed US the orchestra began aying
Dixie and q pretty American actress.
, borrowing the rag OF the patriotic trav-
eler. stepped forward and began singing
the grand old song OF the land Of cot
son.
I wish I could in some way show you
she face of my friend from south Geor-
gia as he turned and looked a the sing
er. You could almost see the great
shoulders narrowing to the gray jacket
that fitted 4 boyish figure and hear the
tramp Of soldiers hurrying away to the
defense Of the southland. Slowly ne
arose from the table and reaching mo
his breast pocket he drew forth small
si1xan banner that proved TO be the
Stars and Bars Of the old confederacy.
Making his way 10 the singer he handed
81 to her and when with both flags IN
her hand. she sang the chorus with
something that was-well, IT was 'he
most wonderful inspiration ] ever saw
me cafe TO p man went wild.
Some If them understood Many Of them
didn't. But all appreciated tho dramatic
eienifcauce Of the Joining together Of
the stars md Stripes and an unknown
fla.
But there was one exception To all the
cheering.
The end or the song found the big man