By nacher I'm a heap moosical; so I ups--givin' that genius for harmony expression--an' yoonites myse'f with the "Sni-a-bar Silver Cornet Band." Old Hickey is leader, an' he puts me in to play the snare drum, the same bein' the second rung on the ladder of moosical fame, an' one rung above the big drum.

Old Hickey su'gests that I start with the snare drum an' work up.

Gents, you-all should have heard me with that instrooment! I'd shore light into her like a storm of hail! "'For a spell the "Sni-a-bar Silver Cornet Band" used to play in the woods.

This yere Sni-a-bar commoonity is a mighty nervous neighbourhood, an' thar's folks whose word is above reproach who sends us notice they'll shoot us up if we don't; so at first we practises in the woods.

But as time goes on we improves an' plays well enough so we don't scare children; an' then the Sni-a-bar people consents to let us play now an' then along the road.