The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-01-15
THE MUSICAL MAN.

1t was Monday morning in Redstone
street. The boarders were all inclined
TO be cross on Monday mornings-that
was perhaps inseparable from the
weaknesses of humanity. The wash
boiler was big, and the stove was
little-that was perhaps the reason
that the coffee was cold and the chops
undone. The one servant was over
worked-that was doubtless the reason
that so many extra tolls came upon
Mrs. Moody's slender shoulders of a
Monday. But when the breakfast,
with its endless criticisms and perpet-
ual fault-indings, had come to an end,
Mrs. Moody carried little tray into
Major Peck's room.
The major was a little lame and a
good deal hypochondriacal, and always
breakfasted in his own room. He was
particular, and consequently occupied
the best room in the house.
The major was a tall, fine-looking
man, with an imposing presence,
good deal of bald forehead, and great
aptitude at Scripture quotations, and
all the neighbors said what a comfort
it must be to Mrs. Moody to have such
q boarder.
They did not know that the major
was a sort of distant cousin of the
deceased Mr.. Moody, and did not con-
slider it necessary to pay his board
very regularly on that account, But
he gave her a good deal Of excellent
advice, and was always ready to tell
her when there was anything wrong
about the table.
80 kind of him to take such an
interest in mel" said the litsle widow
fervently.
The major had brushed the two
wisps Of hair crosswise over the peak
of his bald head this morning, cologned
his pocket handkerchief, and trimmed
his filbert-shaped finger nails to perfec
ton, and he was waiting in the big
easy-chair for his breakfast full five
minutes before it arrived.
you're late this morning, Mrs
Moody" he observed, reproachfully.
81 am a little late" apologetically
confessed Mrs. Moody. "But Saraf
Jane was behindhand. There's ,
regular Scotch mist in the air, and th'
kitchen chimney would not draw. Try
a new boiled egg, major. And thu
rasher of bacon is good, know, for
cooked it myself"
"Humph humph !" said the major
"You ought to be little particula
with your breakfasts, Mrs. Moody
They are the initial meal of the day
you know. This coffee is not as goot
as usual. 1t isn't real Java, Mrs
Moody; it tastes like Maracaibo."
II paid Java price for it," said Mrs
Moody, meekly; land the grocer war
ranted it."
"You can never depend upon wha
these tradespeople say" grunted tn
major, with his mouth full of egg an,
bacon. "By-the-way, is it possible
Mrs. Moody, that you have taken tina
opera man into your third-story hal
bedroom? 1 heard it, but couldn'
bring my mind to believe it."
"He isn't singer. major" pleade
the trembling Mrs. Moody, "And h
doesn't play the flute or the cornet
l took particular pains to inquire a
about that. He's engaged in writin
musical book-something which
to be quite wonderful-and in tn
meantime he supports himself b
playing the third violin In the theatre
for he is very poor and"
"Poor |" snorted the major, settin
down the cup of despised Maracaibt
Sin your circumstances, Mrs. Moody
you've no business taking poor boart
ers."
Eyes, I know it, major. but he hi
just been sick, and he looks so pa
and wretched-"
"There it is again r cried Majt
Peck. A woman is so easily taken ii
1 tell you, Mrs. Moody, the man is a
impostor, and so you'll find it,"
"Dear, dear p said Mrs. Moody, IL
startled tears coming into her fade
blue eyes.
"And if you will not take my a
vice." said the major. waxing mome
tarily more irritable, "you must expe
to abide the consequences. This toa
Is absolutely burned to
crisp. Take it away, Mrs. Moody
take it away! My breakfast
spoiled r
"But what am / to do about Il
new boarder ?" said Mrs. Moody, de
pairingly.
"Dor' shouted the major. "TuI
him ont of doors ! That's the on
thing to do. Take away this toast.
sayI It's perfect outrage on civi
zation |"