Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-09-18
THE MUSICAL MAN.

LII WAS AOuudy luOIulllS Ill IeeuSeOlle
street. The boarders were all inclined TO
haps inseperable from the weakness of hui
manity. The wash-boiler was big and the
stove was little-that was perhaps the rea-
son that the coffee was cold and the chops
underdone. The servant was overWorked-
that was doutess the reason that so many
extra tolls came up on Mrs. Moody's slender
shoulders of a Monday. But when the
breakfast with its endless criticisms and
perpetual fault-indings had come to an end,
Mrs. Moody carried little tray into Major
Peck's room.
The major was little lame and a good
deal hypochondriacal, and always break
and consequently occupied the best room
in the house.
The major was tall, fne-looking man,
with an imposing presence, a good deal OF
bald forehead, and an aptitude at Scripture
quotations, and all the neighbors said what
comfort it must be to Mrs. Moody to have
such boarder.
They did not know that the major was a
sort of distant cousin of the deceased Mr..
Moody, and did not consider it necessary to
pay his board very regularly on that ac-
count. But he gave her a good deal of eX-
cellent advice, and he was always ready to
tell her when there was anything wrong
about the table.
$50 kind of him to take such an interest
in me ~ said the little widow, fervently.
The major had brushed the two wisps OF
hair crosswise over the peak of his bald
head this morning, colonged his pocket
handkerchief, and trimmed his tilbert
shaped finger nails to perfection, ,and he was
waiting in the big easy-chair for his break
fast, full five minutes before it arrived.
"You're late this morning, Mrs. Moody u
he observed, reproachfully.
81 am a little late," apologetically con-
fessed Mrs. Moody. "But Sarah Jane was
behindhand. There's regular Scotch mist
in the air, and the kitchen chimney would
not draw. Try new boiled egg major.
And the rasher of bacon is good. | know,
for cooked it myself"
"Humph! humph!" said the major.
'You ought be a little particular with your
breakfasts, Mrs. Moody. They are the
initials meal of the day, you know. [ don't
think this coffee is as good as usual. 1t
isn't real Java, Mrs. Moody. 1t tastes like
Maracaibo."
II paid Java price for it," said Mrs.
Moody, meekly; "and the grocer warranted
it,"
"You never can depend upon what these
trades-people say" grunted the major, with
his mouth full of egg and bacon. "By-the-
way, is it possible, Mrs. Moody, that you
have taken that opera man into your third
story hall bedroom? | heard it, but
couldn't bring my mind to believe it,"
"He isn't singer, MAJOR" pleaded the
trembling Mrs. Moody. "And he doesn't
play the flute or the cOrnet. 1 took particu-
lar pains to inquire about that. He's en-
gagged in writing a musical book-some:
thing which is to be quite wonderful
in the meantime he supports himself by
playing the third violin in the variety
theatre; for he is very poor and"
"Poor!' snorted the major setting down
the cup of despising Maracaibo. "In your
circumstances, Mrs. Moody, you've no busi-
ness taking poor boarders."
eyes, l know it, major, but he has just
been sick, and he looks so pale and wretch
ed"
"There it is again ?" cried Major Peck:
GA woman is so easily taken in. | tell
you, Mrs. Moody, the man is an impostor,
and so you'll find it,"
"Dear, dear! !" said Mrs. Moody, the
startled tears coming into her faded blue
eyes. =, :,
"And if you will take my advice" said
the major, waxing momentarily more irri-
table, "you must expect to abide the conse-
uuence. This toast is charred-absolutely
burned to crisp. Take it away, Mrs
Moody-take it away! My breakfast is
spoiledw
"But what am 1 to do about the new
boarder? ?" said Mrs. Moody despairingly:
"Dow shouted the major. "Turn him
out of doors! That's the only thing to do.