Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-02-07

: dsrted down the street
Hello, Sam" called the young MAJ
; after he had travelled several block,
II was looking for you" A large II,
gro. carrying basket OF ashes towar
an old horse and wagon, wiped hi
hand on an overall leg and greeted th
young man.
Use powerful glad to see you"
"How's Mrs. Smith and the babies 2
inquired Frank.
Zine. sir, fine. You les ought L
see my little boy. Mr.. Frank.
And how's the bsnd?- asked tn
young man.
Say, Mr.. Frank 7" shouted the ne
gro, kicking over the basket OF ashe
in his excitement. 'you jes ought Il
bear that band now. I've been prac
ticin' em regular cherry night, ant
they'se gettin' on fine. You ought Il
hear 'em play the 'Swanee Riber.' Mr.
Henry. II would make tears melt II
your mouth. OBJ course. l hab m,
troubles. " understan' Mr.. Frank.
the negro continued. 'Ebery bandmas
fer has his troubles. Mr.. Frank Now
take that niger trombone player. He's
all right on volume. Mr.. Frank. He's
fine on volume. You could hear hin
four miles. l reckon. But the fellei
won't play In tune. When were
playing fats he's playing sharps, an
he's always a couple OF notes ahead OF
| the rest. An the cOrnct, an some OF
I ha xfla H.. a 4.
hut Use practicIn' 'em. Wen get 10.
gether all right after q while
The negro smiled hopefully.
Sure you WILL" agreed Frank
where do YOU practice, Sam?" be
asked.
"we've been playin' in barn back
oh my house. It's tolernble enough
place when IL don't rain. rs look
ing for better place. but don't seem
to find none. We can't afford 10 pay
much rent"
Sam" stated the young man, am
interested in music. and TN interested
in your band. How would you Ike
American hall for your nractices?"
For an answer. Sam grinned like q
man on a holiday.
81 can't promise II to YOU any long
er than week"
"Das all right. Mr.. Frank" respond.
ed Sam. "a weeks better n nothln'"
"Want TO start tonight. Samf" ask.
ed the young man.
"Ycp, seben o'clock. Play straight
through till leben."
Fine" declared Frank. "rll ex
plain little, Sam. The reason In
renting this hall for you is because
want to treat the neghborhood 10 some
good music. See?"
Yes, sir" answered Sam But really
yolI know. he didn't.
'If things work ont the way ! ex.
pect them to- promised Frank. I'm
going 20 buy your band new uniforms
GOOD keahens. Mr.. Frank Real
ones. blue with gold braid? An n
drum-major hat for me TO march in?'
"Surest thing you know" answered
Frank. grinnng "Only be sure to have
The band play loud. You know | want
all the nelghborhood TO be sure &c
mean TIE huSi'. MS sSuHI
teed. "And see here" added the
young man: IF you don't care, rd
like to be known as the manager of
your band. May II"
cob course" magnanimously. "It'li I
be big thing for the band Mr.. Frank (
Lucas. manager"
"And remember this. II anybody
comes up and wants to cut out the
music-some people like music. Others
dont-or threatens 10 Kill the from
bone specialist. you tell 'em I'm mana
ger OF the band. and send EN- to me
will you? Tell 'em I'm running the
circus, will your"
II shore will" promised Sam. ~
don't want no scraps wild nobody. ]
don't. An tank you, sir. The bandll
give 'em good concerts all week-nlce
loud ones. So long Mr.. Frank"
Well. it all came out as we expect
I'd. A weeks music from Sans band
rehearsing "Swanee River" each night
from seven until eleven O'Clock In the
hall directly opposite his residence
was all the music Mr.. Boyd could
stand. He demonstrated with Sam in
was sent 10 Mr. Frank Lucas
The police told Boyd when he com
planned, that they had no right TO in.
erfere so long as the band was or.
lerly. At last Mr. Boyd went 10
frank. Frank explained To Mr.. Boyd
hat he had been thinking Of moving
lis band to another part OF the town,
,ut that he was interested In buying
certain strip in the Jackson block
lite. Boyd saw the plot. but from
zone crazy. he forgot his jealousy and
old the property for its true value,
q 900.
In return for the deed Frank re.
eIved from Thomas Henry $4,000, as
er agreement. Franks ledger read
Received fee, 81 900. Profit, $4,000"
he band removed tn it's old quarters.
III marched the following sunday IN
ew uniforms. Then the cash account
D Franks ledger was credited uth
500. charged 10 personal account
With the 500 Frank purchased "A soil.
aire for Florence.