Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-07-01
Music in Early Illinois.

barely evacuated by the red men OF the
forest-Dr. A., of Baltimore, removed to
what has since become small town near
the Illinois river by the name Of P.
The doctors family was composed of three
young ladies and his wife, all of whom
were performers on the piano, and one of
them the possessor Of the instrument in
question.
As is usually the case in all newly set
tied places when "new conner" makes
his appearance, the neighbors (that were
to be) had collected together for the pur-
pose of seeing the doctors "plunder" un-
packed and making tho acquaintance of
its possessor.
DR.. AS household" was slowed away
in seven large wagons-having been first
packed into pine boxes, on which were
painted, in large black letters, the contents,
address, &c.
One wagon after another was unloaded
without much sensation on the part of the
little crowd of lookers-on, except an occa-
sional exclamation similar to the following,
| from those who had never "secn the like
| before :"
".Glass This side up with care! {!
| Why, thought this ere fellcr was doc
tor. What on yearth is he going to do
with that box full of winders?"
"'This side up with care !'' exclaimed
one. "He's got his paregoric and ilc-of-
spike fxins in that. Won't he fzic them
agur fellows down on the river ?"
In the last wagon there was but one
large box, and on it were printed the
words Piano Forte-Keep dry and
handle carefully" 1t required the assist
ance of all the bystanders to unload this
box, and the curiosity excited in the crowd
upon reading tho foregoing words, and
hearing the musical sounds emitted as it
struck the ground, can only be gathered
by giving few Of the expressions that
dropped from the spectators.
"Piuc fort!' said a tall, yellow haired,
fever and-ague looking youth; wonder if
he's afeerd Of the Injuns? He can't scare
them with pine fort"
"K-e-e-p dry" was spelled by large
raw. boncd man, who was evidently lib
cral patron Of "old bald face" aud who
broke off at the letter "y" with, "D-n
your temperance karacturs-you needn't
come round here with tracts!'
He was interrupted at this point by o
stout built parsonage, who cried out
He's got his skeletons in thar, and
he's afeerd to gin them liquor, for they'd
break out if he does! Poor fellers they
must suffer powerfully"
"Handlc carefully" said man in a
rcd hunting shirt, and the size of whose
fist, as he doubled it up, was twice that Of
an ordinary man. "Thar's some live crit
ter in that. Don't you hear him groan ?"
This was said as the box struck the ground,
and the conclusion caused vibration of
the strings.
No sooner had all hands let 20 of the
box, than DR.. A, was besicged by his
neighbors, all Of whom were determined to
know what we're its contents, and what
were the meaning of the words "piano
forte" On his telling them that it was
musical instrument, some @ reckoned that
it would take tarpal sight of wind to
blow it," others, that it "would take a
lot of men to make it go!" etc. The doc
tor explained its operations as we'll as he
could, but still his description was any
thing but satisfactory, and he could only
get rid Of his inquisitive neighbors by
promising sight at an early day.
Three days-days that seemed like
weeks to tho persons above mentioned
elapsed before the premises of DR.. A.,
were arranged for the reception Of visitors,
and various aud curious were the surmises
among the settlers during this time. Dr.
A., and his "plunder" were the only topics
Of conversation for many miles around.
| The doctors house had but one lower
room, but this was one Of double the or.
dinary size, and the carpets we're all too
small to cover the entire floor; hence a
strip Of bare floor appeared at each side Of
the room. Opposite to and facing the
door was placed the "pine fort" All was
ready for the admission of visitors, and
Miss f., was to act as tho first performer
The doctor had but to open the door, and
half score of men were ready to enter.
Miss E., took her seat, and at the first
sounding Of the instrument, tho whole
party present rushed in. Some went di.
rectly up to the crittur," as it had been
called on account Of its having four legs
some, more shy, remained close to the
door, whore, if necessary, they could more
easily make their escape; while others,
who had never seen carpet, were OBJ
served walking round on the strip of bare
floor, lest by treading on the handsome
kalikcr," they might spoil it!
The first tune seemed to put tho whole
company in ecstacies Tho raw.boned
man, who was so much opposed to temper
ancc tracts pulled out flask of whisky,
and insisted that the "gal," as he called
Miss f., should drink. Another of the
company laid down a dime, and wanted
"that's worth" more of tho forty pains, 1"
as the name of the instrument had come
to him after travelling through some five
or six prcnuncia'ions. Another, with a
broad grin on his face, declared that he
!" would give his claim and all the truck