Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-25

ut the end OF which time the bandmaS-
ter sent to learn If was well enough
TO play for him. replied that l
would be very soon. but since 1 had
not touched a musical instrument since
the war began I would like to have
him send me one on which might get
a little practice before submitting to
a test. He sent me a cornet.
Fearing that he would hear my first
efforts and learn Of my ignorance of
the art to which l pretended. l asked
lnez to staff the cracks in the windows
of the room in which l lay. and l be-
gan my efforts under the bed. l made
what Roadway I could in this disad
vantageous way and In two days began
to play on the bed instead of under it.
Whether ] was heard by the bandmas-
ter or not | don't know. but If was
no word about it came to me. But so
fearful was l of betraysng my want OF
knowledge of the cornet that ] dare
not blow a full blast.
Every day l feared some change that
would cut short my preparation. and
it was carried on under the fear tAat at
any moment the army law might be
permitted to take its course. / was
haunted by the expectation OF being
marched out at any moment. stood up
before a file of soldiers and shot. So
lugubrious were my feelings that my
playing would have been much better
fitted for a funeral march than the
popular airs of the day.
One morning the bandmaster came
20 nd tol1 Ahot fHafA
for cornet player in the band had APP
peared in the parsonage of soldier In
the ranks and, since he must have n
man to fill the post as soon as pos
sible, unless 1 was ready to stand a
test he would have the other man
transferred TO the band. l begged him
to wait few days that l might get
| more strength, but he said the colonel
| was liable at any time to notice the
| deteriorated condition of the band and
| If he did 1t would be impossible to tell
! what he would do. This frightened me,
| and l consented to stand trial.
The next afternoon he brought man
to the house where I was lying. Inez
saw them coming with cornet and,
pale as death, ran in to tell me. ! was
desperate. If I submitted to a trial of
skill between myself and one who was
familiar with the instrument I would
doubtless show my inability as cor
net player: If refused to submit the
man would he appointed in my place
and I would be shot
"Let them come" I exclaimed. 81
will blow blast that will awaken the
dead"
knew that my room was no place
for test on a cornet and asked Inez
to hand me my clothes. When the
bandmaster arrived l was dressing and
sent word to him that l would be out
in a few minutes Having finished my
toilet, muttered a prayer and stag
gered out on to n porch. where ! drop
ped into chair. The bahdmaster told
me and my rival that he would take
into the band the better player OF the
two. and since l was weak and the
other fellow was strong he would give
me the advantage of playing after him.
MY rival took the cornet careleSsy.
1t did not appear shat he was anx-
ious to get into the band. and he did
not make q special effort. He did not
|
did not know II. He played n selec-
ton from the overture to Tampa" n
favorite piece for cornet players to
show their skill. He rendered it very
well. and | could not have played 1t
at all
One of the few simple airs 1 had
learned was Home, Sweet Home"
Taking the cornet from the bandmas-
ter / told him that ] was not strong
} enough TO give him anything display
, ing technique; I could only produce
melody fixed my mind on the cabin
where I knew my dear mother was
daily thinking of me and on the scene
, OF my expected execution. There We're
| but few notes. but each note was eI-
pressive OF my depth of feeling. Per-
sons who were passing stopped to
listen I played the air through once.
and all were absorbed. ! played 1t
second time. and their eyes were wet.
The third time every one within hear
ing was weeping.
That's enough" said the bandmas'
ter; you're MY man"
Hold" said; the secret must come
, out in time! 1 can't play note. I
have simply learned this in the vain
hope OF saving my life"
, II don't care II you can't play the
, scale: there's more music I'm you than
in my whole band. I'll make nusi-
clan Of you. and when do you'll he
a wonder"
? Inez's tears gushed afresh. and she
I clasped me In her arms
. My execution was got round in this
! way. requisition was made on the
/. quartermaster for a coffin. II was in.
I dorsed. no coffin in my possession"
/. The requisition having been referred
10 the colonel. he issued n special order
that was TO be released from arrest
till CONN could he procured in which
p 10 bury me- The coffin was never pro
0 cured. and ! have never been buried.
!. The army regulations were adhered 70.
:. End ] have become great musician
. Inez is my wife. r.