The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-11-04

That morning after Mr.. Montgomery
left the house his wife sat down before
her grand piano and attempted one
of the simplest of Mendelssohn's Lieder
otne Worte, but though the old express
sion was there the once supple fingers
were stiff and awkward, and after hplf
hour OF practice she rose, and closed the
instrument in disgust
-Four hours a day for year might
bring back little OF the old power of
execution" she told herself. But what
would become of the house and the
children should she set herself to such
a taskp Impracticable; impossible.
A day or two after this Mr.. Montgom-
| cry brought home friend to dinner.
The guest was an old lady whom Rich
ard had not seen since his boyhOod.
She had lived for score of years in
| Colorado, and was now seventy years
old. The conversation turned naturally
to music. Bertha was too straight-for-
ward and honest to be in the least adroit,
but she did use all the tact she pos
| seSsed to turn the tide of talk into
more agreeable channel. No use. 1t
fingered awhile, and swayed irresolute-
| ly hither and thither, but only to re-
turn with redoubled force to the old
| place.
Il felt so happy my dear the old
| lady at last found a chance to remark,
"when heard that my boy Richard
had married musician. / can remem-
Der when he used to sit in my parlor,
and sit, and sit, listening to my playing
till / was often obliged to send him
home. used to tell him that he would
fatigue a musical giant. 1t was ALWAYS
more, please, more, more Is he still
as hungry for music as in those old
daysp"
81 haven kept up my music" Mrs.
Montgomery replied, with burning
cheeks, Though have reason to be-
lieve that Dick is just as fond of it as he
used to be''
Il think have heard'tha YOU PLAYED
in public" Mrs. La Force INQUIRED. a
slight wonderment apparent only in her
fine old eyes.
"Yes, little"
"Did you enjoy itp'
Bertha's eyes kindled with real pleas
ure.
at was the keenest ENJOYMENT had
ever had" she answered. 81 expected
to be entirely overcome with fright,
but L never felt more at home in my
life. :"
Eyes, Bertha played without notes,
and with an orchestra" Mr.. Montgom-
cry remarked, with considerable pride.
'.Well, that was something to attain
to- said Mrs. La Force. tx
After dinner Mr.. Montgomery had an
hour or two's business to attend to, and
the ladies were left alone.
Mrs. La Force examined the number
less pretty things in Mrs. Montgomery
drawing-room, spoke of the pictures
with critical appreciation, and at last
halted at the music-rack.
Il see you have all my pets" she
remarked at last.
Mrs. Montgomery was somewhat as
tonished. She made point of pur-
chasing all the new music by the best
authors, and one of Mrs. La Forces
especial admirations was difficult and
wonderfully weird selection from Lo-
hengrin.
land has 'the music of the future
found admirers in ColoradoP"' the
hostess inquil ed.
COLORADO has kept pace with the times
in music as in every thing else" the old
lady replied, putting on her spectacles
as she spoke, land all good music is
necessarily the music of the future"
With this she seated herself at the
piano.
II have enjoyed this selection more
than l can tell YOU" and now the
wrinkled old hands came down on the
keys with q power which made her
companion thrill with astonishment
On went the performer with a clearness
OF touch, depth of expression, and
facility of execution which would
shame many a professional, until
Bertha, trembling in every nerve,
drew near, to see as well as to hear.
"Oh! dearr she exclaimed. as the
old lady struck the last chord of the be-
wildering fniS. "Oh dear me! how
beautifuln' and then the usually self
posse. sed and dignifed Bertha Mont
gomery buried her face in her hands,
and wept bitterly.
"Why! why!'' said the old lady;
"what is the matter?"
"Oh! nothing-I don't known was
the incoherent answer. Don't mind
me. Go on playing, please"
=" think we had better talk WHILE"
said Mrs La Force, taking a seat by her
companion. 'If | were nearer your
age it might perhaps be safer for our
continued friendship if ignored the
real cause of your breakdown. Itwasn't
Lohengrin, my dear, neither was it my
Interpretation of the selection. 1t was
a heart-wail over the grave of your lost
talent. feel as if l could weep with
you, for to me such grave is the sad
dest of all graves"
"Bdt, Mrs La Force, you must know
something of my duties, my responsible