Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-02-11
MUSIC HATH CHARMS"

The following was related to me by
one who was an eye-witness-an old
nan now, hut with this scene us
vividly fixed in his memory as though
it had occurred only yesterday:
In the year 1888, man named
Tappan moved, with his family, from
New York to the remote Western
country, said family consisting, be-
sides himself, OF Il wife and six daugh'
,ers. He had failed in business was
broken in spirit; his children, he
thought, needed fresh air; so he ac-
cepted as Il gift from his brother Il
large tract of land upon the edge OF
the wilderness, and settled thereon.
Very soon enterprising people began
to settle beyond him, and there came
to be much travel past his door; and,
as an act of humanity, he frequently
entertained wayiarers. As these
calls upon his hospitality becime
more and more frequent, he enl 'rged
his house to meet the requirements
OF a comfortable inn, and put up the
u-ual inn-kee er's sign.
Not long after this party ofyouhg
men, eight or tn in number, well
mounted, were returning, by a round
about way, from an electioneerlng
expedition. They had stopped AT
every tavern on heir route, and tow
ard the middle of the afternoon they
reined up before Tappan'- door, pret
ty well under the influence of various
Kinds of fiery fluid, and having dis
mounted and secured their horses,
they entered the house, and noi>iiy
demanded whisky.
Now it so happened that Mr.. Tap
pan and his wife were both away, and
only his daughters were in charge ;
and il also happened that the host,
being rigid and consci ntious teet"-
taller, had never kept ANY spirituous
liquors in the house. OF this fact
the visitors were informed by the
eldest daughter, IA handsome, inttlll-
gent girl ofeighteen. But the riot
0uslv inclined invaders had no care
just then for female beauty, nor were
thev moved by the fear and distrust
of the frightened girl> but they still
demanded whisky, and when they
had become assured that they could
not have it, they resolved that they
would cut down the sign before the
door, and the leader so informed til.
young lady.
You must do as you please. gen.
tlemen," she said. shrinking, while
her little sisters gathered around her
for protection; II cannot prevent
YOU"
"A tavern-sign, and no whisky
Such sign is base fraud"
"Hye-down with it|
"Where is your ax?'
You will find it somewhere bv the
wood pile. sir"
Thre" or four of the party made Il
rush for the wood-pile, curing as they
went, while the leader of the gang, Il
Young man who would have been de-
cidediy handsome if he had been
himself, with Others Of h 5 compan-
ions, took Il notion 10 overhaul the
house, insisting that there must he
IA drop of something somewhere.
And We may here say tha, the whole
party considered themselves gentle
men. they were well-dressed, and
respectfully connected.
In a small, well furnished apart
ment, apart from tie guests room,
WAS found pianoforte.
"IIalll." cried the leader, "who
plays on this ? Can you?"
1T l. mine, SIR answered the girl,
thus addressed.
And can you play?'
"Yes, sir"
"Can YOU sing?'
al sing sometimes, sir"
"Wil you sing and play for us?'
"Witn pleasure, sir"
Ske opened the piano, and sat
down, aud pla, ed and sang. The
Maidens PRAYER" Her voice was
clear. MUSICAL, and sweetly rich, and
the acc Impairment was played with
rare skill and grace. The little sis
te.s gihered in a semicircle elise
arornd he instrument, and the here
tofore riotous men-but riot0us no