The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1917-04-19
ANTHEM ALMOST !.
COST MANS LIFE
Egyptian Bandsmen Lose Music
Sadly Needed in Greeting
u. S. Consul.
OFFICIALS ALL FUSED up
Suggestion Of "MarchIng Through
Georgia." as Substitute for "Star-
SpaneIed Banner" Accepted
by American Diplomat.

London.-The pomp and ceremony
which surrounds the presentation of
diplomatic credentials to potentates
of Eastern countries by representa-
tives Of the United States, or Of any
other country, have developed many
delicate and embarrassing situations.
The Eastern mind attaches great i'm
portance to ceremonials and to make
favorable impression all diplomats
must conduct themselves in strict ac-
cOrdance with precedents.
A story regarding the arrival of Pc
ter Augustus Jay, United States con-
sui and diplomatic agent in Cairo,
Egypt, has reached London through
Englishmen who have made jays ac-
quaintance.
1t seems that the ceremony coinci-
dent to the presentation of credentials
to the khedive requires a vast amount
of preparation. Instead of the diplo-
mat stepping to the street and hailing
II hack to convey him to the royal pal
ace, the khedive sends a procession Of
lanccrs, lackeys, buglers and torch
bearers to conduct the stranger to his
presence. When the procession
ItuNlleS tlic puiuCe Sutc the llupeIlhi
band strikes up the national anthem
of the country which the visitor rep
rescnts and he is ushered in to Its mar
tial strains.
The Music ls Lost.
About a week. before the khedive
was To receive Consul Jay the master
OF ceremonies dashed up to the con-
sulate and asked to see the new diplO-
mat with every appearance of extreme
nervousness. 1t is customary for the
master of ceremonies to open con-
versation by inquiring into the state
of being of the consul and his family,
with prOteStations of respect for his
progenitors and immediate friends.
But on this occasion the nervous mes
senger got right down to usiness.
"Your eXcellency," he sni6, '"the
l0athsome and unspeakably vile dog
who is leader OF the imperial band has
had the effrontery but this very morn
ing to crawl before me on his belly
and with loud lamentations to tell me
that he has mislaid or lost the music
of the 'Star-Spangled Banner The
punishment for his crime will be. ter
rible, but in the meantime If the son
of dog and thousand dogs cannot
find the music for the 'Star-Spangled
Banner would 1T suit your Excellency
if the band plays Marching Through
Georgia when your eXcellency arrives
at the palace gate?'
Being n true diplomat, Consul Jay
rose to the occasion. 1t might also be
stated that JAY was born north of the
Mason and DixOn's line, otherwise
complications might have ensued.
ut would please me greatly" said
Jay, "if the imperial band should play
Marching Through Georgia upon my
arrival"
"oh, Say, Can You see."
Thereupon the master Of ceremonies
backed himself out of the room with
many assurances of his thankfulness
and protesting between thanks that
regardless Of whether the dog of a
band master found the music or not
he and all Of his players would have
the skin removed from their backs
by public fiogging; they would be
boiled in oil, drawn and quartered.
On the morning Of the presentation,
Consul Jay stepped into an open-faced
'punkin" carriage drawn by prancing
chargers. Two lackayes stood behind.
The others walked ahead and behind.
The carriage was preceded by troop
of lancers and buglers.
AS the carriage entered the postern
gate Consul Jay was prepared to hear
the air Of "Marching Through
Georgia" but instead, there was a
crash of cymbals, and bandsmen, with
all the force Of their lungs. and all the
spirit they possessed sent up the good
old strains Of "Oh, Say, Can You Seer
And JAY passed into the palace
through lane of dazzling smiles from
bandsmen who had escaped horrible
death. They played the American ma
tional anthem as 1t has seldom been
played before.