The Meeker herald., 1918-04-06

II was looking for you" A large ne
ero carrying basket of ashes toward
an old horse and wagon, wiped MS
hand on an overall leg and greeted the
young man.
arse powerful glad to see you."
"How's Mrs. Smith and the babiesT
inquired Frank.
"FIne, sir, fine. You jes ought to
see my little boy. Mr.. Frank.
.And how's the bandT asked the
young man.
"say, Mr.. Frnnk!" shouted the ne
gro, kicking over the basket OF asnes
In his excitement, "you jes ought TO
hear that band now. I've been prac-
ticin' EN- regular cherry night, and
they'se gettin' on fine. You ought to
hear 'em play the 'Swanee Riber.. Mr..
Henry, 1t would make tears melt In
your mouth. Oh course. hab my
troubles, y understan', Mr.. Frank"
the negro continued. "Ebery bandmas-
ter has his troubles. Mr.. Frank. NOW
take thnt Niger trombone player. He's
nil right on volume. Mr.. Frank. He's
fine on volume. You could hear him
four miles, I reckon. But the feller
won't play In tune. When we're
playing fiats he's playing sharps, an
he's always couple 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 to
gether all right after a WHILE"
The negro smiled hopefully.
"sure you WILL" agreed Frank.
"where do you practice. samr he
asked.
"we've been playin' in barn back
oh my house. It's q tolerable enough
place when It don't rain. rs look
Ing for better place. but don't seem
to find none. We can't AFFORD to pay
much rent"
"sam," stated the young man. I'm
interested in music, and I'm Interested
In your band. How would you like
American hall for your practicesT
For an answer. Sam grinned like
man on a holiday.
~ can't promise 1t to you any long
er than week."
"Das all right. Mr.. Frank" respond
| ed Sam, "A weeks better n nothin'."
swami to start tonight, SamT' ask
ed the young man.
"Yep, seben o'clock. Play straight
| through till leben."
Slime" declared Frank. "l1l ex-
plain a little, Sam. The reason I'm
| renting this hall for you Is because
| want to treat the neighborhood to some
| GOOD music, Seer
Eyes, SIR" answered Sam. But really.
you know. he didn't.
"If things work out the way / ex-
pect them to-" promised Frank. "rm
going to buy your band new uniforms"
"Good heabens. Mr.. Frank! Real
ones, blue with gold brnidf An a
drum jor hat for me to march inF'
"surest thing you know" answered
Frank. grinning. "Only be sure to have
the band play loud. You know I want
| all the neighborhood to be sure to
| hear the music" This Sam guaran-
teed. "And see here" added the
young man: "If You don't care. "a
like to be known as the manager OF
your band. May II"
Job course" magnanlmously. "It1l
be big thing for the band; MI. Frank
Lucas. manager"
.And remember this, II 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 mana
ger Of the band, md send 'em to me-
will your Tell 'em I'm running the
circus. will your
VI shore WILL" promised Sam. Il
don't want no scraps wild nobody. I
don't. An tank you, sir. The bandit
give 'em good concerts all week-nice
loud ones. SO long. Mr.. Frank"
Well, 1t all came out as we expect
ed. 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
vain-he was sent to Mr.. Frank Lucas.
The police told Boyd. when he COM
planned. that they had no right to In
terfere 50 long as the band was Or
derby. 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 interested In buying
certain strip in the jackson block
site. Boyd saw the plot, but from
bone-crazy. he forgot his Jealousy and
sold the property for its true value,
5000.
In return for the deed, Frank re.
ceived from Thomas Henry $4,000, as
per agreement. Franks ledger read
"Received fee, $1,000. Profit, $4,000"
The band removed to Its old quarters
but marched the following Sunday in
new uniforms. Then the cash account
In Franks ledger was credited with
$500, charged to personal account