Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-04-22
THE IMPROVISATION.
story of the First Piano that Ever
Reached a Mining Camp.


.ory for the public schools there wat
Il little camp about ten miles from
Phoebe, occupied by upward Of 300
miners, every one Of whom might have
packed his prospecting implements and
left for more inviting fields before
sunset When the day was over, the
men did not rest from their labOrs, like
the honest New England agriculturist
but sung, danced, gambled, and shot al
each other, as the mood seized them.
One evening the report spread along
the main street (which was the only
street, that three men had been killed
at Silver Beef, and that the bodies were
coming in.
Presently 4 numbering old convey
ancc labored up the hill, drawn by a
couple Of horses, well worn out with
their pull. The cart contained n good
lines become visible through the gllm-
mering Of stray light here and there,
than it began to affect the oilers.
Death always cnforces respect, and even
though 10 one had caught sight Of the
remains, the crowd gradually became
subdued, and when the horses came to
L stand still the cart was surrounded.
The driver, however, was not in the
least impressed with the solemnity OF
his commission.
"AlI therc?' asked one.
Haven't examined. Guess So"
The driver filled his pipe and lit it,
a4' he continued
wish the bones and load had gone
over the grade"
\ man who had been looking on
stepped up to the man ut once.
~ don't know who you have III that
box. but ii they happen to be any
friends Of mine, I'll lay you along
side"
eve can mighty soon See" said the
teamster, coolly. Just burst the lid
ofl' and if they happen 10 be the man
you want, I'm here"
The two men looked ut each other
for minute, and the crowd gathered II
little closer, anticipating trouble.
Il believe that dead men are entitled
10 good treatment, and when you talk
about happening to see n corpse go
over bank, I'LL have to say is, that
it viii be better for you if the late Ia
mcnted amt my friends"
Wen open tire box. | don't take
sack what I've said, and if my Ian
g,lagc don't suit your ways Of thinking,
guess can stand il"
With these words the tcamster he
gan to pry up the lid. He got the
board of, and then pulled out some
rags. A strip Of something dark, like
rpuawpad brpSapt oil itSplf
Eastern collins, by thunderl" said
several, and the crowd looked quite Us
tonishcd
man who was ready to defend his
friends memory shifted his weapon Il
little. The cool manner Of the team.
stcr had SO irritated him that he had
made up his mind to pull his weapon
mt the first sign of the dead, even if the
deceased was his worst and oldest en-,
envy Presently the whole of the box
cover was OIL, and the teanster, clear.
ing away the packing, revealed to the
astonished group the top Of something
which puzzled all alike.
Boys, said he, this lS'a pianner.
A general shout of laughter went up
To enforce respect for the dead mutter.
ed something about being dry, and the
keeper Of the nearest bar was several
ounces better oil Ivy the time the boys
had given the Joke I'LL the attention il
called for.
Had Il dozen dead men been III the
box their presence in the camp could
not have occasioned half the excite
ment that the arrival Of that lonely
piano caused By the next morning il
was known that the instrument was to
grace 4 h,,rdy gurdy saloon, owned 10y
Tom Gosllin, the leading gambler III
the place. Ii took nearly week to
get this wonder on its legs, and the
owner was the prouiest man in the
state. II rose gradually from i recum-
bent u MI upright position, and 4 con-
fusion Of tongues after the manner OF
the tower of Babel
OF course everybody knew just how
such an instrument should he put up.
enc knew where the ''otl hind lee,
should go, and another was posted on
the front piece.
Scores Of men came - the place
every day 70 assist.
''Tll put the homes i'll good order"
\ II you want the wire tuned, I'm
tie boy.
I've got music TO feed it for i
month"
Another brought Il pair of blankets
Tor cover. and MI took the hveliest
interest in it. Il was 1T last in con,
dition for business.
Its been showing lis teeth all thu
week We'd like to have it spit on
something"
Alas there wasn't man to be foune
who could play upon the instrument
Goskin began to realize that he had {
losing speculation on his hands. He
had fiddler. and Mexican who
thrummed a guitar. a pianist woule
have made his orchestra complete.
One day three-card monte player
told friend conidentlally that ht
could knock any amount ofmusic gu
If II piano if he only had il alone i
few hours To get his hand in" The
report spread about the camp; but OF
being questioned, he vowed that he
didn't know Il note of music 1t Wa,
noted, however, rs 4 suspicious cir
cumstance, that he often hung abou
he instrument and looked upon i
longingly, like hungry man gloatins
over beefstake in restaurant wind
ow. There was no doubt that thi:
man had music in his soul, perhaps il
his fingers end, but did not dare t
make trial Of his strength after tn,
rules Of harmony had suffered S,
many years of neglect. So the fiddle
Kept on with his jigs, and the greas.
Mexican paved his discordant guitar
but no man had the nerve to touch tn
piano.
There were doubtless scores of me-
IN the camp who would have give
ten ounces Of gold dust 70 have bee
half an hour alone with it, but ever
mans nerve shrank from the jeer