The Labor enquirer., 1883-01-20
What man@ The color left the poor
girl's face as she asked the question.

80
"The man that comes abeutthe piano"
X Fear mingled with shame in Mary's
sensitive heart. She went down, tremb-
| ling in spite Of every effort at self-com-
posure, to meet this rigid exacter Of his
due. His keen eyes read at the first
glance, as she came in, her inability to
pay the rent, and at once his looks har-
dened. !, s
"Have you that little amount ready,
Miss Wild?" His voice was cold and
firm. r.. " E
Indeed, sir-Pm very sorry. But
- she stammered, broke down then
rallied, and said almost pleadingly,
there is no lack of will, or effort on my
part, sir. fl had the money, I would
lonly be too eager to pay it. Scholars
were not received at the commencement
according to expectation. But things
are beginning to look, more hopeful.
Within the last few weeks L have OBJ
tanned three new pupils. At the end of
their: first quarter I shall receive twenty
four dollars,snd the money shall be
kept sacredly for you"
There was a faint, sneering smi le on
the mans thin lips as he shook his head
and answered:
II can't wait until the end of the
young ladies' quarter. It,isn't my way
of doing business. When you engaged
the instrument, told you that payment
must be made quarterly, in advance.
You now owe quarters rent. If you
cannot pay that, and the advance for
next quarter, 1 shall at once remove the
instrument, and place it with another
lady who has the cash in hand"
The white face of Mary did not move
him. He was too much interested in
the question of dollars to comprehend
the meaning of pale, suffering counte-
nance. To him it was a dumb sign. He
buttoned his coat deliberately, and
moved toward the narrow hall.
"I will send for the piano in the course
of an hour" he said.
In less than an hour one of Mary'S
pupils would be there to receive a lesson.
"Oh, no Not to-day Don't send for
it to-day, sir" She clasped her hands
painfully.
"In an hour, said" He was cold and
severe in manner.
"Just give me two days. In her ex-
tremity Mary conquered pride, and plead
with the unpitying man. perhaps |
can get an advance from my new
scholars"
every we'll. That may be feasible"
he answered. "If you can get the ad-
vance, ard pay me twenty dollars, the
piano can remain. Two days, you say?"
eyes, sir. Give me two days"
AT this hour, day after tomorrow, |
will be here. If you have the money,
well if not, I shall wait no longer"
And he went away.
"I'm afraid it won't do, Mary" said
Mrs. Wild, when her daughter suggested
calling on the lady who had sent her
three scholars, and stating her case.
"She is a stranger, and it may prejudice
her mind against you, and cause her to
withdraw these pupils at the end Of their
first term"
But what am / to do, mother?" asked
the disheartened. girl. IF do not pay
this man, he will certainly remove the
instrument; and | see no other possible
way of obtaining the money"
1T is a simple act of borrowing" re-
turned Mrs. Wild. "You would call it
an advance; but the lady would con-
slider it a loan. Now let US see if there
is not some one else from whom you can
borrow the sum needed for short time.
If so, it will be better than to run the
risk of losing scholars.
'There is not living soul to whom |
can apply" said Mary, a chill creeping
down to her heart, as she imagined her
self asking of some old acquaintance or
friend the loan of twenty dollars.
There is Mrs. LINCOLN" suggested
Mrs. Wild.
Il could die more easily than ask such
a favor of her." answered Mary.
Mrs Parrish" said the mother
"No-no-noW The girl shiyered.
'Mr. Burdan is kind-hearted gentle
man."
"He doesn't know me"