Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-24
STIRRED THEM UP.
marching Through Georgia" Made
Them Young Again.
Veterans Couldn't Keep Still When the
Photograph Played It.

kInS; he is commissioner OF elevation at
the State House and is liked because of
| his unfaillng good nature. AS men,
toned. most folks know him, but, as
yet, only a few know that he is the
proprietor of a concert company. Such
nevertheless is the case. This concert
company consists of n splendid phono-
graph and large assortment of records
He does and he and those of his friends
who are aware of the fact are getting Il
deal of amusement out of it. Nearly
| every night his room is filed with
friends who enjoy a concert Of vocal
and Instrumental music which is well
worth using as much time possible to
hear.
Frequently of a Sunday morning,
when he is on duty at the State House,
Aft takes the machine and a fair
number of the records, he has so many
that he couldn't well take them ell.
along with him and after the building
has been put in order for the day,
treats his fellow workmen, and such
others as chance to be in the building,
to an entertainment. AS there is
usually a number of clerks or others
connected with the different depart
ments in the building, it is seldom that
he is lacking an audience of consider
able size.
1t was Il few Sundays back that the
writer CHANGED into the Capitol along
about 10 O'Clock. 1t was Perkins Sun
day morning on duty and was one of
the mornings that he had taken his
concert company along with him when
going to work. Among those in the
1I1 tn,
one Of the departments, who lad
brought his wife and another young
lady in with him, he being obliged to
visit his Office for a few moments. They
became interested in the concert and
instead of fastening out. remained.
Among the records which Mr.. Perkins
has are number which are especially
appropriate for use of a Sunday and
these he played for the benefit Of his
hearers. Each and every one expressed
their qualification and were enthusi
aStic in their praise OF the machine. AS
the owner showed a disposition, having
completed his list of secular music, to
close the concert, there was 4 general
urging for him to continue. 1t being
impossible for man of his nature to
refuse, he complied with the request.
Now, the gentleman who was present
with his wife is a veteran of the Civil
War and his wife is prominent MEM
Der of the Relief Corps. while sprinkled
among those present was nearly half
dozen other veterans. Whether this
had anything to do with "Alfs" next
selection, or whether he simply put It
on because he himself was in the mix
up between North and South and liked
the old wartime music is not known.
1t doesn't matter, either. to any great
extent. But whatever the cause, the
results We're splendid.
After the urging by the audience. Mr..
Perkins busted himself about the box of
records and at last selected one. 1t
was placed on the machine, which was
started. None We're looking for what |
came, which may, perhaps, account for |
the result, but it is more reasonable to |
lay it TO the music itself. No one paid
the slightest heed to the announcer's
voice, so that when the first few bars
of "MarchinS Through Georgia. broke |
upon their cars, along with a stirring |
bugle call, the blood began to surg" |
through their veins. The old soldiers
present came to attention in short or
der and there was snap and sparkle i'll |
their eyes that had been lacking three
minutes earlier.
And then the voices of 4 crowd sing |
ing the stirring old song came. At that |
instant n well-knOwn head of depart |
ment. who saw some of the hardest
fighting OF the war, came in. If ever q
man was pleased with anything in the
music line it was he. A smile Of de-
Iipht WAC ,,pOn mis- foca and L;c hot 1yoc
off. while he stood at attention. No,
not that. He endeavored to do so, but
the music was too much for him. 1t
stirred him up to the point where keep
ing still was out Of all possibility. He
didn't actually dance. but you could
see that he was kind of sorry 1t was
Sunday so that he couldn't, so bad did
he want to show how good the words of
the song made him feel.
But he was not the only one. Oh, no.
The lady. who is prominent in Relief
Corps work was just as nervous as he
and it was only by the greatest effort
possible that she managed to keep still.
The others agreed that the rest Of
the entertainment had been good but
hey, meaning the veterans. agreed that
the last was the best thing in the pro-
gram. Nor We're they satisfied to hear
it once, but insisted on two repetitions
and then they had to have the Battle
of Manassas" which is one of Mr.. Per-
kins' records. which. while not so stir
ring as the other. kept them feeling
good and recalled the days when they
were roughing and fighting it south of
Mason and DiXon's line.