The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-20
"And how,s the band?D asked n


young man.
Say, Mr.. Frank" shouted the ne
gro, kicking over the basket OF ashes
in his excitement, you jes ought TO
hear that band now. I've been prac'
ticin' EN- regular cherry night and
they SO gettin' on fine. You ough! TO
hear 'em play the Swanee Riber. Mr.
Henry, it would make the tears melt
in your mouth. OBJ course, hab my
troubles, y understan, Mr.. Frank"
the negro continued. Ebery bandmas.
ter has his troubles, Mr. Frank. Now
take that Niger trombone player.
He's all right on volume, Mr. Frank.
You could hear him four miles, rec
on. But the fellar won't play in
tune. When we're playing flats. he's
playing sharps, an he's always q cou.
pie OF notes ahead OF the rest. An
the cornet, an some of the others,
amt what they should be. But Use
practicin 'em. Well get together all
right after while"
The negro smiled hopefully.
Sure you will" agreed Frank
where do you practice, Sam?" he
asked.
We've been playing in barn back
OBJ my house. It's tolerable enough
place when it don't rain. Is looking
for a better place, but don't seem to
find none. We cars afford to pay
much rent
Sam, stated the young man, I'm
interested in music, and I'm interest.
ed in your band. How would you like
American Hall for your practices?'
For an answer, Sam grinned like
man on holiday.
Il can't promise it TO you longer
than for week"
"Das all right, Mr. Frank" respond
ed Sam. "a weeks better than moth
ing"
Want to start tonight, SAM ask
ed the young man.
Yep. seben o'clock. Play straight
through till leben."
Fine" declared Frank. I'll ex-
plain little, Sam. The reason I'm
renting this hall for you is because
l want to treat the neighborhood to
some good music. See?"
Eyes, sir" answered Sam. But real
ly. you know, he didn't,
III things work out the way l ex.
pect them. to-" promised Frank, I'm
going to buy your band new uniforms"
Good heabens, Mr.. Frank! Real
ones, blue with gold braid? An a
drum-major hat for me to march in?"
"Surest thing you know" answered
Frank, grinning. only be sure TO
have the band play loud. You know
1 want all the neighborhood to be sure
to hear the music" This Sam guar
anteed. "And see here" added the
young man: IF you don't care, Id
like to be known as the manager Of
your band. May II"
lob course" magnanimously. 9TH
be a big thing for the band; Mr.. Frank
Lucas, manager"
And, remember this, If anybody
comes up and wants to cut out the
music-some people like music, others
don't-or threatens to kill the from.
bone specialist. you tell 'em I'm the
manager of he band, and send 'em 10
me, will you? Tell EN- I'm running
the circus. will your"
Il shore WILL" promised Sam. 81
uOA want uO SSAuRo VIII hOuOuSI l
don't. An tank you, sir. The bandit |
give EN- good concerts all week-nice
loud ones. So long, Mr.. Frank"
Well, it all came out as we expected. |
A weeks music from Sans band re-
hearsing "Swanee River" each nishs |
from until II o'clock in the hall d.
rectly opposite his residence, was all |
the music Mr.. Boyd could stand He |
demonstrated with Sam in vain--.he |
was sent to Mr.. Frank Lucas. The
police told Boyd, when he complained |
that they had no right to interfere !
so long as the band was orderly. At |
last Mr.. Boyd went to Frank. Frank |
explained to Mr.. Boyd that he had |
been thinking Of moving his band to |
another part of the town, but that he |
was also interested in buying certain
strip in the Jackson block site. Boyd !
saw the plot, but trombone crazy, ne |
forgot his jealousy and sold the prop.
erty for its true value, five thousand |
dollars.
In return for the deed, Frank rece!v.
ed from Thomas Henry $15,000 as per
agreemnt. Franks ledger read: Re.
ceived fee, $1,000 Profit, 10000"
The band removed to its old quarters,
but marched the following Sunday
in new uniforms. Then the cash &C
count in Franks ledger was credited
with $500, charged to personal &C.
count. With the $500, Frank purchas.
ed solitaire for Florence