Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-03-20
From the Ladies' Repository ]
The Prize Piano.
A HOUSEHOLD SKETCH.

Along the pavement flies a shadow thrown by the
moonlight; 1t follows man whose eager steps have
led him far in advance of throng that has just emer
ged from public hall. Swifter becomes his pace,
and louder sound his heel strokes the hard pave
ment, till suddenly he turns and springs up flight
OF steps. He applies hs.night key TO a lock. 1t
will not work He becomes impatient, nervously
jerks the bell wire, and that moment servant opens
the door. He speeds 10 the sitting room, where his
wife awaits him, and without stopping to take breath
eXclaims:
'Oh Anna, if you had been at the concert-we'ye
got it-oh, but it's a handsome One-rose wood car
we'd, splendid tone-it will be here in the morning.
Then the poor fellow obliged 10 take breath
ing SPELL and his wife had opportunity to express
her Joy at his good fortune. Her husbands ticket
had drawn very handsome piano, at a prize con-
cert. Before ten O'Clock the following morning the
instrument deposited at the door OF their neat lit
tie parlor.
Henry Heber was a lively, trustworthy young man,
who had a situation at a salary Of one thousand dol
lars per annum in wholesale store on Pearl street.
He lived in a SMALL but comfortable house in the
western part of the city which he had built with
money his wife had brought him. This wife was
prudent woman for who had not little iashona-
BILE ambition; and with but one child promising
blue-eyed boy, who had just began TO prattle they
getting swimmingly with the world. Anna
delighted beyond tellIng with the prize piano
and II really was splendid instrument in style not
al all in keeping with the furniture of their parlor
After she had thummed on the keys few minutes
she looked up archly, and said to her husband:
you know | an but an Indifferent player Harry,
and if Pm 10 discourse music for you, must have
some new music books ami teacher
Certainly you must have a teacher, and I'll look
out for one to-day. Who would you recommend,
Mrs. Brown! asked the indulgent husband turning
to lady who had called TO see and hear the prize she
had hoped TO get.
'Well, | hardly Know returned the lady, there
are number of excellent teachers in the city, bus
think the gentleman recently from Paris, Mr.. p
the best. His terms are high, but my girls go tc
him, and they make great proficiency
He played on this piano at the concert, and Iii
ked him. | must go TO the store now, but before
come home to tea, I'll see him. And with these
words Henry FASTENED to his business.
Mrs. Heber had many visitors dlring the day, ant
all were delighted with the piano. out number o
them thought it would show TO better advantage i
the parlor were furnished in the late style Wher
the husband came home in t!le evening he brough
to his wife the glad things that Mr.. P-had beer
engaged, and would give her the first lesson th
following NonGay.
In the evening" while young lady who was visit
ing them sat at the piano, Anna was thinking OF th
remarks her guest had made about furniture
and it did not TO her that their carpet jus
such figure as so splendid piano should set upon
Henry, perhaps, having similar train OF thought
for glancIng around the parlor, he remarked:
THAT piano puts rather blush on The other iurni
ture.'
$50 it does returned Anna; 'anl I've been think
ing that ought at least TO have a new carpet, an
would like to have it before commence my les
Sons.'
'We'll think about it, answered the husband, ratl
er indiHerentIy.
But on the morrow Anna was invited to walk u
town, and handsome costly carpet was purchased
Mrs Brown, over the way, the upholstered leav
1t, and when he took his leave she hurried
Mrs Hebers. She admired it very much. 1T wa
% handsome it made the old-faShioned cent-e tab
look wretched.' Anna Immediately saw the force
this remark, and was not long in finding it out.
new centre table was forthwith selected to ace Il
parlor, and several splendidiy bound volumes we
purchased 10 lay upon il; and next evening sol
amp Of the newest pattern threw from the table
mellow light over the new carpet
Mrs Smith called the next day TO see Anna. H
circle Of acquaintance large and of course the
were Smiths as well Browns within it, The lat
seated on one of the rather old-iashioned chair
and she soon became fdgety.
you have got a beautiful piano, Mrs Heber;
beautiful centre-table, but you will excuse me If
say these chairs are horrible
Mrs Smith plain spoken woman-as u
Smiths generally are-and Anna excused her. VIII
the lady had bowed herself out of the door AM
took calm survey of her little parloT, and was o
liged to acknowledge that Mrs. Smith had Judg
correctly the style of the chairs was too heavy
that Of the piano and table. They were prompt
removed, and set Of costly Workmanship took the
place; rich plush sofa followed the chairs, In
mantal ornlments, then window curtains, and
till The parlor was furnished throughout in the
test fashion.
One evening when Mr. and Mrs Heber were
tea, Anna remarked that Mrs. Brown thought th
ought 10 give their young friends party. They b
been out a good deal, and they had never given OF
Their paror was now furnished In the fashion, a
they could give party well as not