The Meeker herald., 1918-12-14


darted down the street.
"Hello. SAM" called the young man.
after he had Travelled several blocks.
II was looking for you" A large ne
gro, carrying basket Of ashes toward
IN old horse and wagon, wiped his
hand on an overall leg and greeted the
young man.
Use powerful glad to see you"
Flows Mrs. Smith and the babies"
Inquired Frank.
"FIne. sir, fine. You jes ought to
see my little hoy. Mr.. Frank.
"And how's the band" asked the
young man.
"Say, Mr.. Frank I" 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' em 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 bandmns-
ter 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 him
four miles, I reckon. But the Teller
won't play in tune. When we're
playing fats 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. Wen get to-
gether all right after WHILE"
The negro smiled hopefully.
"Sure you WILL" agreed Frank.
"Where do you practice. Sam" he
asked.
"we've been playin' in a barn back
oh my house. It's tolerable enough
place when 1t 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. "rm
Interested in music, and I'm interested
In your band. How would You like
American hall for your practicesf'
For an answer. Sam grinned like
man on a holiday.
II can't promise 1t to you any long
er than week."
"Das all right. Mr.. Frank" respond
ed Sam. "a weeks better n nothin'."
"Want to start tonight, Sam7" ask
ed the young man.
"Yep, seben o'clock. Play straight
through till leben."
"FIne," declared Frank. "11l ex-
plain a little. Sam. The reason I'm
renting this hall for you is because I
want to treat the neighborhood to some
good music. Sect"
ayes, SIR" answered Sam. But really.
you know, he didn't.
''If things work out the way ex-
pect them to-" promised Frank. "fm
going to buy your band new uniforms"
"Good heabens Mr.. Frank! Real
ones, blue with gold braid7 An
drum-major hat for me to march mr.
"Surest thing You know" answered
Frank. grinning. "Only be sure to have
the band play loud. You know want
nil the neIghbOrhoOd to he sure to
. hear the music" This Sam guarnn-
teed. "And see here" added the
young man: "If you don't care, ia
like to be known as the manager OF
your band. May II"
Job course" magnanimously. "1tll
he big thing for the band; Mr.. Frnnk
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 bnnd, and send 'em to me-
will your Tell 'em I'm running the
circus. will you"
II shore WILL" promised Sam. Il
don't want no scraps wild nobody, !
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 bnnd
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
yain-he was sent to Mr.. Frank Lucas.
The police told Boyd. when he COM
planned, that they had no right to In
terfere 80 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
a certain strip in the Jackson block
site. Boyd saw the plot. but from
bone-crnzy. 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 ms
per agreement. Franks ledger read:
"Received fee, $1,000. Profit, $1,000
The band removed to Its old quarters.
but marched the following Sunday In