Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-10-19
MY SISTERS GUITAR.
\ Pleasant Story OF Living PeopI

Elvira loves to be in the fashion,
whats the use of making yourselves
odd ?" she often says, reproachfully, to
Ricardo and me, although l nm sure we
don't mean to do so in the least I'm
the only one of u.s. she continues, "who
is just like other people. observe what
is going on in the world, and adapt my
self to the mode"
And so she was talking one day after
dinner, when we had finished all our little
duties and were free to follow our devices
for the rest of the day. Our apartment
but when l say apartment, pray don't
imagine Tia. I want to make you think
We live on French fla. or anything of
that description-is only one modest Sec
ond-story floor in large house, where all
the rooms not Leeded by the owner her.
self are let to dodgers, and the house is
always full. Our landlady is no gossip
and we are Just quiet home-folk ourselves
Zone of our oddities, perhaps) and so we
know very little of the other dodgers.
Our parlor, bedrooms and little I'M
prom;u kitchen are down here where
am writing, but our brothers bedroom
and studio is way up at the top of the
house, sEould say in the attic, but for
Elvira's sake will substitute the word
"mansard, which certainly sounds bet
ter. And occasionally Ricardo gives lis
little news, such as "The front-room man
sent down his trunks this morning." or
"Thc German violinist next to me played
most ravislingly yesterday afternoon" or
some such scrap as that perhaps if we
had taken more interest in the people on
his top-hoor he might have told us more,
but for long time we felt Indifferent
about them"
But ] have wandered away flights from
what | was saying.
Elvira talked SO much about fashion
that, after listening patiently for con-
siderable time, answered:
"Whnt especial idea do YOU wish to
adopt now, that your harp is on this one
theme 2"
"Your expression is most happy. Mar
cia, she returned, urbanely beaming on
me "for it concerns music. In short,
banjos and string things. am going to
buy one"
zone what, Elvira? Not banjo, sure
ly?"
"They are the most fashionable, :" she
hesitated, "and enjoy the extreme height
OF what is in vogue ; butt fear could
never become proficient and l shall buy
guitar; secondhand one, of course"
And SO, donning her hat and drawing
on her long gloves, she went out to make
her purchase, returning in an hour elated
with success.
Ricardo entered moment after carry
ing small parcel.
"Well, 'Vira, he cried merrily, "where's
the guitar? Don't you know that it is the
fashion for people to carry such objects
now Why didn't you bring it he me? ?"
ut wanted stringing, and one of the
frets was broken"
Ricardo gravely placed his parcel in her
lap.
"There is something for your dinner
to STYLE"
Elvira took off the paper and disclos-
ed can OF string beans.
''Stflng things are SO fashionable" be-
gan Ricardo. meekly, "that / thought
He broke of suddenly and ran up-
stairs, Elvira pursuing, and as heard
their scampering fee. ON the oiled stair
way, very firm knock sounded at our
other door, and ! opened it see foreign
looking man bearing an enormous instru-
ment in dark and heavy-looking case.
He raised his hat, muttered something
unintelligible, placed the case carefully
inside the door, made another obeisance,
and some more outlandish words, and de.
parted swiftly, leaving me circling around
the weird object in dazod wonder. Could
such ponderous instrument be used by
a lady, and was Elvira SO infatuated by
her desire to be Ia mode as to buy the
horrible looking thing And would she
never come down stairs. / felt half afraid
to be left alone with her.
Half an hour passed. and impetience
could no longer bear it. l locked the
door and mounted the stairs to brothers
studio. As l went up 1 heard strains of
the most enchanting music, interrupted
by loud talking and impatient tones. and
as entered saw Ricardo standing be.
fore his easel, looking now at his work
with an air of satisfaction. and now nj
Elvlfa as she stood with her ear against
the wall OF the next room. The can of
string beans was rolling over the floor
"Oh, sister," said Elvira in n Ioud
whisper as she saw me approach "it is
denghtiIil think Ricardo might have
toid us that there were musical meetings
and reheurslls up here.
did begin once or twice" retorted
our brother, "but you didn't take any in
.e ", But why don't they begin in
II cant exactly make out" she re.
pned some fuss about an instrument
tnat hasn't come, or wrong instrument
left or something like that. Thew ara