The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-09-16
WHO TooK THE PREMIUM.

Amanda Wheating and Nell Eus-
tbs were neighbors in the town of
Briefly Centre, both daughters of
well-to-do farmers. They had been
at South Hadley together for the
finishing touch after the district school
had done its best for them, and Nell
had learned, among other things, to
play few tunes on the piano by
means of natural aptitude for the fine
arts; and since returning home she
had found time to look after her
fathers house and dairy and by
teaching the district school summers
they never allowed that privilege
to woman during the winter term
she had laid up enough to buy a
secondhand piano in the city. When
Nell showed Amanda the money,
and confded her intentions to her,
Amanda had new sensation.
Hitherto she had always been ahead
of Nell, so to speak. Her black al
pacas had been fner than Nell's,
and had born off the palm in the
matter of triming, her shawls had
been more numerous and more gor-
geous, her bonnet more snowy and
ribbons more frequent; for country
girl, in short, she had invariably led
the styles in Briefly Centre, and she
had done them credit with her spark
ling eyes and rosy cheeks. Now il
Nell was to have q piano, if she was
to learp to play on it, A manda's ex.
listence would be imbittered beyond
peradventure. There was but one
piano in all Briefly Centre, and that
was up to old Squire Brierly's and
nobody to open it from years end to
years end.
Dear mel Nell," said Amanda,
"whst makes you think of wasting
your money on such foolishness as q
piano, when you don't know how to
use it, and it'll take such a sight ol
room 2"
"Oh it'll just ct into the angle by
the chimney" said Nell, happy as a
cricket on the hearth and / mean to
learn to use it-see if / don't"
IL don't see who will teach you
and it costs power of money"
"I've thought may be Deacon Small
might give me some hints; he plays
the base-viol in the cheir, you know.
And then folks can learn by them
selves. I've read about it-theFe's
Mozart and
i'Lor sakesin laughed Amanda, "a
s'pose you're Mozart, or some o
those fellows who knew music by
nature. You arn't vain nor anything
are you Nellp
Maybe l am" answered Nell
pleasantly.
Zone can't get ON without trift
of vanity it's sort Of wholesome stuff
after all that's been said about it. bu
it's like homeopathic medicine-a lit
tie goes o good ways. Anyways
could play Fishers Hornpipe, Chor
us Jig, and Old Hundred at Souti
Hadley. And l thought it woul'
sort ofliven father up, after the day
chores were done to hear little mu
sic fit wasn't so fine, before the can
dies are lit, between daylight an'
dark. It's sociable like, little mu
sic is; then it would be handy for
dance any winter evening"
whats that about winter even
ings asked Tom Briefly, the Squire
son, and hero of the place, loungini
in at the open door, with that fami
lar air of bis which made him we
come everywhere. "a dance ? I'll er
gage you for the first cotillion, Nellie
can II"
"Oh dear, no." giggled Amandi
"She's going to be the band herself.
"Mandy's laughing at me-" explain
ed Nell, because I'm going to buy
piaro with my earnings"
Let those laughed who win,
cried Tom, lightly. We'll play dr
cts together, Nell"
"Well, Pm no company for sue
famous musicians" said Amanda, I"
guess III be going home"
"I'm going your way" said Ton
rising.
"Oh so soon 7" pleaded Nellie.
II didn't think Of stopping-I hear
the music of your voices as l can
by
at don't compare with the mus
: Nell will make on her piano"
E "Well, good-by, Nell. Let N
know when you are ready TO begl
the duet. By-the-by, what shall
!. be-'The Rose that All are Prai
d ing pm then be went of laughing wit
Amanda, and left Nell lookiu
after them with hungry eyes and
heart heavy with unspoken wishe
What happiness you'd there be
ttha rozuaac,on nj a mann or a yyorl