The Labor enquirer., 1883-01-20

SOTTOWluS L'oellOl f ~ sooisos f'e'Seef M IN
different my life would have been! Ihad
such good opportunities Might have
been SO well educated. Might have
been competent to teach in almost any
She laid her face against her mother,
and sobbed. 5
eff the piano had not been taken, I she
said, mournfully, a little while afterward,
"I might try to get few music scholars
But, without an instrument, | can do
nothing" 3. .... ~ -,..#.
\ A"Don't they hire pianos%' asked a
Younger sister, who had been a silent
and almost unobserved listener.
No answer was given to the suggestion,
but it dropped, like word of hope, into
the mind of Mary, and her thought
dwelt upon it. Il !
q will hire a piano and take music
scholars" she said, to herself not long
afterward. Acting upon this resolution,
she called at store where she had been
in the habit of getting music, and asked
if an instrument could be obtained in
the way desired. From the music seller
she received the address of a man who
kept pianos for hire The rent charged
for a passable instrument was $40 a
quarter; and as Mary was a stranger,
payment in advance, or security, was
demanded.
The next thing was to see if scholors
could be found. Mary was no hesitating,
haIf-hearted girl She saw before her
only one way in which she could help
her mother; and ih that way, if the path
were not too difficult, she meant to walk.
First, the scholars; then the inStrum ent.
But where was she to 60 for the scholars?
Not among strangers, for that would be
A frutless search. She must call on the
friends she had known in SUMMER days
and particularly on her mothers
friends. Pride, native Independence,
and a senSitiveness about intrusion,
held her back but stern necessity urged
ner forward BravelY she walked in. the
way of. duty, though every step was in
pain as only they who have
walked in the same path can compre-
lend. Four ladies who sympathiZed
with Mary in her effort to help her
mother, promised her each a scholar, at
IS a quarter. On the faith of this
promise the piano was hired, and the
rent for a quarter paid in advance.
Only three of these scholars came,
Older sisters, in the other case, interfered.
Their little sister, they said, must not
receive her first lesson from a girl who
lad never taught, and WhO.was but in
educated in music. At the
end of the first quarter, one Of the three
scholars was removed under the pressure
If like influence. 1t was all in vain
hat the chiId's mother who thought
more of helping Mary than Of her
daughters music, urged that she be per-
nitted to give another quarters instruC
ion. The older sisters clamored against
he arrangement in an almost heartIess
manner, and it ceased.
Poor Mary Wild's heart sunk when
his scholar was taken away. She had
only two left. Faithfully had she tried
% increase the original number. but
without success.
The eOwner ofthe piano called promptly,
1t the end of the first quarter, for
another advance payment. 1t Was
made. The second quarter opened dis
for Mary Wild. She had
only two scholars, and saw DO prospect
IF obtaining others. She had been
around among her mothers friends
several times, but even those who mani
tested interest in the beginning were
growing indif1erent-some even showed
At the close of the second quarter
Mary was unable to meet the prompt
demand which came from the owner of
The piano. Not obtaining his money, he
went away, saying that if the advance
rent were not paid in week the instru-
ment would be removed. This was only
a threat. The rent was not forthcoming;
but the piano still continued in 'Mary's
possession.
Everything looked dark for the striving
girl. She still had but two scholars, and
was beginning to give way to feelings of
deep disbursement. Weeks passed.