The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1911-01-05
An Emotional
Musician
By DAVID WALTER CHURCH
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.

In 1859 enlisted in the -th infan-
try of the French army. remained IN
my native country until my regiment
was sent by the Emperor Napoleon
Ill. to Mexico. Shortly before Maxi
milan was shot by the Mexicans | en-
tered into a conspiracy 10 rescue him.
One of our conspirators gave away the
plan. We were arrested. tried and SEN
fenced to meet the same fate as the
emperor
The day before we were to suffer
death a man dressed in the uniform or
a band in the Mexican army came into
the room where we were confined ana
asked if any of us could play upon any
instrument. He had not got the words
out of his mouth before ! caught his
intention. There are. or were at that
time, more musicians in Europe than
In the western hemisphere. This man
was after men to enlist in his band.
One prisoner, who may possibly have
seen through the fellows design as
did, said that he could beat the drum.
| The inquirer gave him contemptuous
look and waited for other answers.
| had no musical education whatever
| and was unable TO play note on any
| instrument 1t occurred TO me to give
| the same reply as he who had said he
could beat the drum. but the reception
of his statement assured me that such
a course would be useless. To gaia
time, with a view to living a little
longer. sang out:
81 played the trombone for years in
the band of the Tenth cuirassiers Of
the French army"
/ saw at once that ] had caught the
mans attention. He waited for some
one else to claim to be musician, but
as none did he said to me:
"COme with me-"
My comrades were all shot ] was
enlisted in the band Of a regiment that
was intended TO be used at the palace
Of the president | feared they would
test my capabilities before enlisting
me. but the man who had secured me
he turned out to be the bandmaster-
set so great store by what | had told
him that it did not occur to him to
doubt that was proficient as a from
bone player.
Just before | was to take my place
in the band for the first practice
feigned illness and told the bandmas
ter that | must defer attempting &c
play. He grumbled. but excused me
The practice came off on the parade
quadrangle of the barracks. and
could hear every note. ! listened Il
the bass parts. especially to the from
bone-for some one seemed TO be tenn
porarily taking my place-and since
nv life hung on my being able to d'
something with the instrument | lis
tened with corresponding attention.
Though knew nothing Of music,
turned out that ! had an ear 10
chords. ! told the bandmaster that
had not touched trombone for year
and II would require at least a coupl
of weeks before | could take part
Would be bring me an instrument ant
some sheet music? He assented.
got nv nurse. a Mexican girl. to snow
: me what notes on the trombone wer
indicated on the sheet music. The
! I practiced for dear life.
Iuck favored me. or. rather the banC
master had an intention that l kne'
i nothing Of A prominent general Q
J. the army died and was to have mil
! tary funeral The bandmaster wa
4 anxious that | should take my plac
with the band at the obsequies. Whe
J. the day came round he ordered me
get up. did so and put on uniror'
" he gave me Then | went with OIL
and took my position with the oth'
E. musicians. The music was put on
y nv trombone. and to my delight
found il TO he that which | had Dee
practicing. dead march