AT SOUSA'S BAND.

Evening Star, Issue 14626, 24 July 1911, Page 5

AT SOUSA'S BAND.

»■ PREMIER. AND PRESSMAN. On Wednesday night (says tho ' South Australian Register') a pressman and a. friend went to hear Sousa's Band. 'lho Premier spotted them, and 6<tid : "Como aud sit here, lads," and ihey accepted the invitation. The scribe's companion, vho is an old Moonta boy, smilingly asked Mr Verran: "Shouldn't you be in evening dres-s'.'" The Premier answered that the reporter and himself had got past that stage of savagery. Then iho three settled down to listen to tho beautiiul music. The cornets uerc playing 'Sounds from the Alp*.' The Premier was carried away. '• that's great," he remarked, " 1 could swim in it all night." The crashing, screaming, tumultuous effects in 'The Chariot Race' worked everyone up to a hgh pitch of excitement •'What's that remind you off" asked tho head of the Government. "A good old snorting noeonndenco motion," replied tho pressman, in some of the lovely pieces that followed. Mr Vert,an could not help noticing now every man iu the baud responded to the beat of Sousa's baton, and even tc the slightest movement oi' his little linger.

" My word, he's got 'em under control," observed Mr Terrain "That's how the leader ought to have the members of his party," put in iho newspaper man.

"What would you do if they would not ans.wer to you?" queried Mr Verran, v ith a uudgy. "Hit 'em on the head with a baron." was the answer. The ntu'L-lion : " li.u- anyone here, seen Kelly';'' -.\as asked and answered by every i.nsfeou.n-a.iif. item thunderous to tiny tones, and at every teiteratiou the Premier roared with laughter, Thr-ii the bund struck up. something that shook tho whole hoasc: up. It was "The Stan- ami Stripes.' When the ("ifoolos. cornets, and trombones advanced U> the front and played for ail they were worth the audience wcio almost bfted out. of their .-oats. "By gum. Jad. that's great." remarked Mr Verran, his eyes sparkling and his feet keeping time to the music. "What does it make yon feel hi-te'.'" he. asked. " Like as it 1 could tight tike, —." was the answer. Plantation s..ngs and d-;m-e» concluded tho [)ro gramme. \ f;.vorte rag-time tune t-.et evcry."ne a-]oggm.g. "Know that?'' w-ke.l Mr Verran "Rather." was tho answer, " I can see a lcspL'-ndotU conn cakewalkiiig to it." Over the heads of the audience came in waves of sound ' I'hc Old Fork.- at iloioe.' "You can't beat tho ok! ones. Mr Premier," pm j. t tho Moonta man with tears in his eyes. "Ah! there's soul in tt'i in, lad." " ThrifiO songs arc liorn of sutfeianir. it is a case of jonow and song," (d-scrved t!;o pressman. " Yes,' ii.gio.'d Mr YtTrail, "the best in yon must, bo wruiti: from you." Then the band struck up ' God Save the King,' and the. man who sane the loude-t wu.s John Vorrati.