Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-01-30

poSS tliuu a SOIucb SilSc IL hhuC AcSn
noise, and the bandmaster across the
road couldn't hear me practiclng.
Written music bothered me, but l
made wonderful progress, playing
whatever came into my head. l could
not read music-at least could not
learn to do SO quickly enough for the
purpose-but l could improvise, and
what astonished Ines 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 II was well enough
to play for him. replied that l
would be very soon, but since l had
not touched musical instrument since
the war began 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 l pretended. asked
IneZ to stun the cracks In the windows
Of the room In which l lay, and be-
gan my efforts under the bed. l made
what Roadway 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 II was
no word about 1t came to me. But so
fearful was | OF betraying my want Of
knowledge Of the cornet that I dare
not blow full blast.
Every day | feared some change that
would cut short my preparation, and
1t 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 on. at any moment, stood up
before n file OF soldiers and shot So
lugubrlous 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
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
man to Ill the post as soon as pos
slble. unless | was ready to stand
test he would have the other man
transferred to the band. begged him
to wait few days that might get
more strength, but he said the colonel
was liable at any time to notice the
deteriorated condition of the band and
II he did II would be impossible to tell
what he would do. This frightened me,
and ! consented to stand trial.
The next afternoon he brought man
to the house where l was lying. Inez
saw them coming with n cornet and,
pale as denth, ran In to tell me. was
desperate II submitted to a trial Of
skill between myself and one who WINS
familiar with the instrument I would
doubtless show my inability as cor
net player; II I refused to submit the
man would be appointed In my place
and I would be shot.
LET them come" exclaimed. II
will blow blast that will awaken the
dead"
for test on 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 few minutes. Having finished my
toilet, muttered prayer and stag
gered out on to n 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 | 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 tho band, and he did
not make special effort. He did not
need to do 80 to beat me. though he
did not know It. He played a selec-
ton from the overture to "Zampa."
favorIte piece for cornet players to
show their skill He rendered 1t very
well, and ! could not have played 1t
at all.
One OF the few simple airs | had
learned was Home, Sweet Home"
Taking the cornet from the bandmas-
ter, told him that l was not strong
enough TO give him anything display
Ing technique; | could only produce
melody. 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-
prcsslve OF my depth of feeling. Per
sons who were passing stopped to
listen. played the air through once,
and all were absorbed. I 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! can't play a note.
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 in you than
In my whole band. I'll make a must
clan OF you. and when I do you'll be
n wonder"
Inez's tears gushed afresh. and she
clasped me In her arms.
My execution was got round In this
way. requlsltion was made on the
for coffin. II was in
dorsed. mo coffin In my possession"
The requisition having been referred
to the colonel. he issued special order
that was to be released from arrest
III n coffin could be procured In which
to bury me The coffin was never pro-
cured. and | have never been buried.
The army regulations we're adhered TO,
and have become great musician.