The Press., 1918-01-31

fine on volume. You could hear nm four miles, I reckon. But the feller won't play in tune. When we're playing flats he's playing sharps, an he's always & couple of notes ahead ef the rest. An the cornet, an some of the others, ain't what they should be- but Pse practicin' lem. Wen get to- gether all right after a while."
 The negro smiled hopefully.
 "Sure you will," agreed Frank. "Where do you practice, SamT' he asked.
 "We've been playin' in a barn back bb my house. It's tolerable enough place when it don't rain. Is look ing for a 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 a man on q holiday.
 "T can't promise 1t to you any long CT than a week"
 "Das all right, Mr. Frank" respond ed Sam. "A weeks better n nothia.
 "Want to start tonight. Sam" ask ed the young man.
 "Yep, seben o'clock. Play straight through till leben." .E
 "Flne," declared Frank. "lll ex" plain q little Sam. The reason I'm renting this hall for you Is because ! want to treat the nelghborhood to some good music. See?"
 "Yes, sir" answered Sam. But really, you know, he didn't. .-s
 eff things work out the way ex- pect them to-" promised Frank, "Im going to buy your band new uniforms.
 "Good heabens, Mir. Frank Real ones, blue with gold braid? An a drum-ma1or hat for me to march lnT'
 "Surest thing you know" answered Frank, grinning. "Only be sure to have the band play loud You know I want oll the ncighhOrhoOd to be sure to hear the music" This Sam guaran' teed. sAnd see here" added the young man: "If you don't care, I'd like to he known as the manager or your band. May IF"
 "Ob course" magn0nimOusly. "ItlI be big thing for the band: MT. 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 tr0m- bone specialist, you tell 'em I'm mana ger of the band, and send 'em to me, will you? Tell 'em I'm running the circus, will you?"
 "I shore will" promised Sam. "l don't want no scraps wid nobody, l don't. An tank you, sir. The band'll give 'en good concerts all week-nice loud ones. So long. Mfr. Frank" l. We'll it all came out as we expect ed. X weeks music from Sans baEa rehearsing "Swanee River" each night from seven until eleven o'clock in the hall directly opposite his residence was all the music Mir. Boyd could stand. He remonstrated with Sam ID vain-he was sent to Mir. Frank Lucas The police told Boyd, when he com plained. that they had no right to ln' terfere so long as the band was or derly. At last Mir. Boyd went tc Frank. Frank explained to Mr. BoyC 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 blocR site. Boyd saw the plot, but from bone-crazy, he forgot his jealousy ane sold the property for its true value S5,000.
 In return for the deed, Frapf re' ceived from Thomas Henry $15,OoO, aS per agreement. Franks ledger read Received fee, $1,OOO. Profit, $1OOOO.' The band removed to its old quarters but marched the following Sunday IT new uniforms. Then the cash account in Franks ledger was credited WILT $500, charged to personal account With the $500 Frank purchased a sOll | Gor GNIorauao