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of the band with instructions to copy the parts and deliver them at
the band…stand。
The foreign gentleman was present at the concert with a large party
of friends； whom he had invited to hear this particular piece of
music。 When the librarian asked the musician for the parts； he
could not find them； and a search high and low for the missing
music was without avail。 Much to my chagrin； it was necessary to
omit the number and send explanations and regrets to the dignitary
whom it was designed to honor。
At the end of the concert； when the men were packing to go home； the
player found the missing band parts stuck in the bell of his
instrument； where he had placed them for safe…keeping。
In a little Michigan town my band was booked for an afternoon
concert； and on our arrival the local manager assured us that we
should have a good house； although there was no advance sale。 He
explained this by saying that the townspeople did not like to buy
their tickets until the last minute。
The theatre was on the second floor of the town hall； the ground
floor being given over to the fire department； the especial pride
of the community。 Twenty minutes before the concert a large crowd
had gathered round the box…office to buy tickets when the
fire…alarm sounded； and the entire population promptly deserted the
muse of music and escorted the engine and hose…cart to the scene of
action； leaving the band absolutely without an audience。
A Tuneful Locomotive。
Once when we were playing during warm weather in a theatre situated
near a railroad； the windows were left open for ventilation。 The
band was rendering a Wagner selection； and at the climax was
playing with increasing force。 The last note to be played was a
unison B flat； and as I gave the sign to the musicians to play as
strong as possible the volume of sound that followed fairly
astonished me。 I had never heard fifty men play with such force
before and could not account for it； but the explanation soon
became manifest。 As the band ceased playing； the same note
continued in the blast of a passing locomotive that had opportunely
chimed in with us in unison。
The Marine Band was once doing escort duty on Pennsylvania Avenue in
Washington to a body of citizen soldiery returning from camp。 It
was at night and the parade was preceded by a wagon…load of
fireworks which were to be discharged at appropriate intervals
along the line of march。
By some accident or design the entire load of pyrotechnics was
simultaneously ignited； and the street immediately filled with a
perfect fusillade of rockets and Roman candles。
A stampede followed and the parade faded away。 I stood my ground
until my eye…glasses were knocked off； and then I groped my way to
the sidewalk。 When the confusion had subsided； all that could be
discovered of my band was the drum…major in front and the
bass…drummer in the rear rank。 Their comrades had fled； but these
men were good soldiers； and having received no orders to disperse
had stood their ground manfully。
A Tale of the White House
One more story of the White House。 At the time of the unveiling of
the statue of Admiral Farragut in Washington； it was suddenly
proposed to have a reception at the Executive Mansion in honor of
the many distinguished visitors。 The informal invitations were
issued while I was participating in the parade that was part of the
ceremonies。
At seven o…clock in the evening； when I was at home； tired out after
the long march； word came to me to report at the Marine Barracks。 I
went there and was ordered to take the band to the White House at
eight o'clock p。m。
The bandmen did not live in barracks； and it was practically
impossible to get them together at that time of night； as they were
scattered all over the city。
〃Well； those are my instructions and those are your orders；〃 said
the commanding officer。
So we sent the band…messengers out to the men's lodgings； and they
found just one musician at home； and he was the bass…drummer。
At eight o'clock； arrayed in all the gorgeousness of my scarlet and
gold uniform； I sat in front of the band platform in the White
House lobby； and the bass…drummer stationed himself back in the
semi…obscurity of his corner。 There was a dazzling array of
music…stands and empty chairs； but no musicians！ The President
evidently saw the humorous side of it； and when I explained the
situation he said it could not be helped。 All the evening we sat
there and listened to humorous remarks from the guests。 We had
〃reported for duty；〃 though； and the drummer and I stayed till the
reception was over。
End