The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1871-07-13
MUSIC IN EARLY ILLINOIS.

small town near the Illinois river, by the nam
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 then
the possessor of the instrument in question
AS is usually the case in all newly settled
places when new conner makes his appear
ance, the neighbors that were to be had col
lected together for the purpose of seeing the
doctors "plunder unpacked and making tn,
acquaintance of its possessor.
| DIR. As " household " was slowed away
In seven large wag0ns-having been first pack
ed into pine boxes, on which were painted, il
large letters, the contents, address, etc.
One wagon after another was unloaded with
out much sensation on the part of the little
crowd OF lookers-on, except an occasional ex-
ciamation similar to the following, from those
who had never . seen the like before"
"Glass This side up with care!" Why,
thought this ere feer was doctor. What on
yearth is he going to do with the box full OF
winders7"
"a This side up with care " exclaimed one.
Hes got his paregoric and ile.of.spike ixns
in that Won't he tizic them agur fellows down
on the river!"
In the last wagon there was but one large
box. and on it were painted the words. Piano
Forte. Keep dry and handle carefully" 1t
required the assistance of all the bystanders 10
unload this box, and the curiosity excited in
the crowd upon reading the foregoing words,
aud hearing the musical sounds emitted lis il
struck the ground, can only be gathered by
giving few of the expressions that dropped
from the spectators.
pine torte!" said a tall, yellow haired. fe-
ver-and-ague- looking youth; "wondcr If he's
Altered OF the lnjunsl He can't scare them
with pine fort
keep dry" was spelled by large raw
bonrd man, who was evidently liberal patron
of - old bald face" and who broke off at the
letter ''y" with, "D-n your temperance kar-
acturs, you needn't come round here with
tracts"
He was interrupted at this point by n stout
built parsonage, who cried out:
He's got his skeletons in thar, and he's
aieered Ia gin them liquor, for they'd break
out II he does! Poor felers, they must suffer
powerfully"
Handle carefully" said man in a red
hunting shirt, and the size of whose fist, as he
doubled 1t up. WAS twice that of an ordinary
man. Thar's some live criiter in that Don't
you hear him groanl" This was said as the
box struck the ground, and the conclusion
caused vibration of the strings.
No sooner had all hands let go of the box
than the doctor was bcslegcd by his ucighbors.
all of whom were determined to know what
were It's contents, and what were the meaning
OF the words piano forte" On his telling
them that it was musical instrument. some
=" rcckUnrd that it would take tarnal sight of
wind to blow il: others. that 1t would take
a lot ot men To make it co." etc. The doctor
explained It's operations rs we'll rs he could but
stih his description was anything but satistac-
tory, and be could only get rid of his inquis-
tive nrighbors by promising sight at an early
day.
Three days-days that seemed like weeks to
the persons above entoned-rlapsed before
the premises of DR.. A were arranged for
the reception of visitors, and various and curl
Gus were the surmlses among the settlers dur
ing this time. The doctor 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 ordinary size. |
and the carpets were all too small to cover the
entire floor; hence a strip of bare floor ap-
Deared at each side of the room. Opposite to,
md facing the door, was placed the "pine fortn'
All was ready for the admission of visitors and
Miss T. was to act as the first performer. The
l0ctor had but to opeE the door, and half
score of men were ready to enter Miss f.
OOk her seat, and at the first sounding of the
instrument the whole party present rushed in.
Some went directly up to the "crittur," as it
lad been called on account of its having four
egs; some, more shy, remained close to the
l0or, where, if necessary, they could more
asily make their escape; while Others who had
lever seen n carpet, were observed walking
ound on the strip of bare floor, lest by tread
Dg on the Handsome kaliker" they might
poll it
The first tune seemed to put the whole com
ANY in ecstacics. The raw boned man, who
vas so much opposed to temperance tracts,
ued out flask of whisky and insisted that
he gal" as he called Miss f., should drink
Another of the company laid down dime, and
wanted "that's worth" more of the "forty
aims" as the name of the instrument had come
D him after travelling through some five or six |
ronunciatlons. Another, with broad grin {
n his face, declared that he "would give his .
lain and all tho truck on it if his darter could
ave such cupboard!" The "pine fort" man
lggested that if that sort of music had been q,
the Black Hawk war, 'that it would have
keered the Injuns like all holler! !" t
1t is needless to say that it was late at night O
efore Miss +. and the other ladies of the house
Duld satisfy their delighted hearers that they
ere all tired out. The whole country for :.
yenty miles round rung with the praise of Dr.
IS "consarn and the" Observation-Disclosures a
he doctor Immediately had any quantity of
ntients, oil of whom, however, would come in
erson for advice, or for few "agur pills" "but Ii
one of whom would leave without hearing the =
forty palms."
With an easy way and good natured dispo.