The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1913-10-31

the one l was required to play, and
Inez borrowed flute. On this l made
beginning. Ii was better for the pur-
pose than cornet since 1t made less
noise, and the bandmaster across the
road couldn't hear me practicing.
Written music bothered me, but
made wonderful progress, playing
whatever came into my head. could
not read music-at least could not
learn to do so quickly enough for the
purpose-but could improvise. and
what astonished Inez was that could
not only make up" airs, but could
play.them with remarkable fervor.
All this developed within few days.
at the end Of which time the bandmas-
ter sent to learn If l was well enough
to play for him. replied that
would be very soon, but since / had
not touched musical instrument since
the war began l would like to have
him send me one on which might get
little practice before submitting to
test. He sent me cornet
Fearing that he would hear my first
efforts and learn Of my ignorance of
the art to which 1 pretended, l asked
Inez to stuff the cracks in the windows
Of the room in which 1 lay, and ! be-
gan my efforts under the bed. / made
what Roadway could in this disad-
vantageous way and In two days began
to play on the bed instead Of under il.
Whether was heard by the bandmas-
ter or not don't know, but If l was
no word about it came to me. But so
fearful was Of betraying my want Of
knowledge Of the cornet that dare
not blow full blast.
Every day feared some change that
would cut short my preparation. and
it was carried on under the fear that 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 lie of soldiers and shot. So
lugubrious were my feelings that my
playing would have been much better
fitted for funeral march than the
popular airs of the day.
One morning the bandmaster came
to see me and told me that candidate
for cornet player in the band had ap-
peared in the parsonage of soldier In
the ranks and, since he must have q
man to fill the post as soon as pos
sible. unless l was ready to stand n
test he would have the other man
transferred to the band. I begged him
RI hat Il mil
more strength, but he said the colonel
was liable at any time to notice the
deteriorated condition of the band and
if he did it would be impossible to tell
what he would do. This frightened me.
and I consented to stand trial.
The next afternoon he brought a man
to the house where / was lying. Inez
saw them coming with cornet and,
pale as death, ran in to tell me. / was
desperate. IL submitted to trial Of
skill between myself and one who was
familiar with the instrument I would
doubtless show my inability as cor
net player; If I refused to submit the
man would be appointed In my place
and l would be shot.
LET them come" ! exclaimed. 81
will blow a blast that will awaken the
dead"
l knew that my room was no place
for a test on a cornet and asked IneZ
to hand me my clothes. When the
bandmaster arrived was dressing and
sent word to him that would be out
in a few minutes. Having finished my
toilet, l muttered prayer and stag
gered out on to porch, where | drop
ped into chair. The bandmaster 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 carelessly.
1t did not appear that he was anx-
ious to get into the band, and he did
not make special effort. He did not
need to do SO to beat me, though he
did not know it. He played selec-
ton from the overture to Tampa" q
favorite piece for cornet players to
show their skill. He rendered 1t very
well, and l could not have played 1t
at all.
One Of the few simple airs l 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; l could only produce
melody. l fixed my mind on the cabin
where / knew my dear mother was
daily thinking Of me and on the scene
OF my expected execution. There were
but few notes, but each note was ex-
pressive Of my depth of feeling Per-
sons who were passing stopped to
listen. / played the air through once,
and all were absorbed. played it a
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," I said; "the secret must come
out in time! l can't play a note. /
have simply learned this in the vain
hope Of saving my life"
II don't care If you can't play the
scale: there's more music in you than
In my whole band. I'll make q musi-
clan of Won and when I do youll he