The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1883-08-24
cLraks wuo PLAY rar r.Ase

eoaH hucI balu young GotutFyman
as DO entered music store ths othel
day. They're going to have q barr
warming at'Squire Bentop's next week
and l want the latest thiag out.
can'tread music, 30 want yoa to pici
out the liveIIest set you've sos TO,
me.n
"Could you tell what you want Il
yon hear ii playsdf"
Hear II played Why, who's kDins
to play itf OF course / could tell.'
| ."Hsre Miss Mollie.' called out the
dealer, "pleaae play these three aels Of
laneers for the gentleman"
This way, air, please" said Mirs
AoiIie, very pretty and pleasant
spoken young person, az ahe walked
towards the rear of the store, followed
by the young countryman. She opened
an upright piano, and dashed Off one
/ lhncers after another.
Guess I'll take them all three"
said tho countrymAn, "and | gEess the
folks would like il il you'd come up
and play for them. That 10. al but
Maria Larkins would IKE IL. Shea 70
play herself, and IL would mako her
kind of mad like to have you ahere.
She can't force the tune as you can.
But no matter about Maria. / guess
Bcntoo's folks would be glad TO have
you up"
WELL" said Miss Mollie, "I don't
want TO hurt Miss haria's feelings,
and Pm afraid I'm wanted here, but
my sister will be glad Of chance TO 20.
She plays for parties"
"Can she swoop down on the tune as
steady as you can r.
"Steadisr," said Miss Mollie, with =
laugh. And that's how her sister came
to spend Sunday in tho country With
Benton's folks.
Are there many dealers who employ
musical clerks to play tho pianoi - we
asked.
"A good Eany," be replied. "YOu
see . great many customers can't tell 4
tune by reading it from the sheet.
They have 10 hear it."
"Bat woulda't they take il on your
recommendation r.
They might. But you sec Miss
Mollis has jus. sold three sets Of lanceru
TO that young fellow. / could have
sold him only one. So i. pays to en-
gage some one to play"
just then a young lady entered the
store. II was buying something mex,
door," she said, "and heard some one
playing in here. I'd like TO buy the
tune ] heard played"
"Does that often happen T. asked the
reporter Of the dealer.
"pery often. So often that wher
business is slack get Miss Mollio "a
play on the piano. That attracts cus-
toners"
"Can Miss Mollie sing y
"No, she doesa't sing. It's very
difficult 70 find clerk who can pla,
aud sing, TOO. OF course, singing
would attract many more. but I doubr
# the profit wouldn't be eaten up b,
the extra sum would have to pay
singer. / think pianist is more satis
factory"
"Do you pay clerks who play tn,
piano higher wages than ordinary
clerks p
"oh, yes. That's ouly Just. There
Miss Mollie. She's worth at least SlC
q week more than an ordinary clerk
She used to play for dancing at evening
parties. Now she can make almost a
much here without having to be up lat'
at night. Her sister plays for parties
and in Summer manages to get goot
many engagements out Of town."
just then somebody asked for
waltz, aud the dealer turned to serv,
him. This customer had hardly depart
ed when another entered and said t,
Miss Mollie:
"I'd like the Misery from 'Trov
atore.'"
The reporter watched Miss Moll:
with admiration as, without moment
hesitation or the trace Of a smile, sh
handed down the "Miserere."
"Do people often make mistakes lik
thatp
/ "Ob, yes" she answered. "Some
times they don't come so near the title
They ask for the Misery withou
mentioning Troyatore' You wouldn'
believe it, bnt somebody once asked 70
The 'Conyict's Song and they Otter
want the .Prison Tune all Of whicl
stand for the 'Miserere.'
"Do they ever get the singer or play
er mixed up with the composer ?"
"Tve often had them come in an
ask for that pretty song Of 'Campan
ini's' or 'Nilsson's,' called 'Comin
! Through the Rye But the most ridi
culous feature of the business is ths
they always seem to think I've been I
the opera the night before. 'Can yol