Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-03-06

"Why, where is John2 John y
John not answering the call, our boy strobe
from the room, but soon appeared again, al-
most dragging in the reluctant John.
"My aunt Mary, aunt Anna, and sister
Nc,tie, John; Mr.. John Hartley, ladies'
John stood erect and stiff, made little for
NAL bow, while the blood rushed in torrents
to his sun Drowned face, and then glanced
nervously round, as if meditating an escape
Even /, disposed to pet him to Norman full
content. was embarrassed before :his bashsnl
hero. His face, almost hidden in the bushy
brown beard, was painfully flushed. his eyes
cast down, his hands nervously locked togeth-
er. while his round slouch hat was drawn
over his brow, shading the strongly marked
features and forehead.
Norman got seat, and tried to make talk
telling us Of his late adventures, and rafting
on in his old merry way: but the guest sat
still, erect and crimson, evidently wishing
himself miles away. Nettie stole sbyly up to
| him.
"You must have found it very warm, trav-
cling she said after vainly searching for
more original idea.
"very!'
The strong bass voice, full and deep, actu-
| ally fred the word at her, and she started
back as if it had been pistol shot.
"Is this your first visit to the East?" she
said, returning to the charge.
1 haro h,,k ga
prepared, and did not jump.
"You will find much to interest you.'
| II expect TO-"
.Three whole wordsl He is improving"
whispered Norman in my ear.
Nett'e, encouraged, dashed into a descrip-
ton of New York sights, while Norman and
conversed in a low tone. and Anna made her
fingers fly over some interminable knitting.
I watched our guest, seeing how, as the easy
to.e, the sweet clear voice and cordial man.
ner won his interest, the flush died away, the
large melancholy eyes were now and then
raised, till, at last his strong hand was lifted
to push off the shading hat, and he looked full
in Nettie's face, absorbed in her description
Of an orchestra.
"It mus, be grand p he said, drawing a
deep breath, $50 many sweet sounds at once.
never heard but two instruments in all my
life, and my nearest approach to the brass
band was the flourish Of an old tin horn; but
can imagine the grandure Of a combination
Of musical sounds. And shall hear this in
New York p
"oh yes, anywhere. Youare very fond Of
music 7"
II have heard 50 little None, for the last
year
'shall play for your"
aWill you ~
And he strode across the parlor, with steps
that took in the room in a marvelously short
epace Of time, and threw back the lid Of Net
ties piano as il it had been made Of cast iron.
AZ the quivering strings stilled, Ne,,ie be-
gan to play choosing only easy pieces, with
tunes that we're pretty and lively. She play
ed for soma little time, her hearer listening
a,tentiyely.
1.-THE piano has fine, deep tone," he said,
after moment of silence; "but your hands
are too small and weak to bring it all out
Let me try"
KNEW by Nettie's dismsyed face that she
was bidding farewell to the piano; but saw
smile on Nornans lips, and felt comfort
ed.
few heavy, strong chords, a rapid run
ming passage, and long scale of trills showed
; a practiced hand, and we let our amazement
die away in admiration as our guest drew out
the tones of the instrument. f.zs
aOhi what is that?' cried Nettie, as he
closed magnificent piece.
"only . voluntary. was trying to fancy
your orchestra -.-.4z
"Do you mean that you composed it as you
played ~ cried Nettic, at the climax Of her
amazement.
"of course :, don't. you? thought, those
pretty, graceful little pieces were just like
you. Do you know he said, earnestly, 'that
you are The first woman lever spoke to since
my mother died? felt when your voice fell
upon my ear, like this"
A few low, exquisitely modulated chords
and then followed a dreamy waltz-liko melo-
dy, full Of sweetness and pathos No loud
burst, no strong ringing notes broke the
charm; as, softly melting QUO into another,
the first chords were repeated, fading away
into silence.
Nettie's eyes filed, and, surely, never wo-
man had more touching compliment.
!. The summons to dinner broke the silence,
and our guests color returned as he followed
Norman's lead to the table; but Nettie had
broken the ice of his bashfulness, and he took
. place between her and Norman. There was
no qamcherse TO mark the clown. He ate and
bore himseflike = gentleman, and, by ready
tact, saw where new customs fitted to his own,
and acted accordingly. After dinner, Nettie
took him out to admire her flowers, and Nor
| man told me this:
.You see, auntie, his father vas half-eraly
musician, who had the idea that he Was an
unappreciated genius, and buried himself in
that out-of-the way hole when John was but
ten years old. Fortunately he took with him
his piano, vielin and library, and has been in
the habit Of sending to New York for new
publications and music. He wanted 70 make
JOHN native born hermit, and never permit
ted him to accompany him even to the little
town where his books were sent; but you