The Indianapolis journal., 1885-01-03

Il
/ q lunch were half concealed under music sheets,
scribbled all over with notes Of bold and decis-
i've chirography. Mr.. Van Tassell had taken
rapid survey of these details, and they did not
tend to increase his respect for the man who
could put up with such surroundings
/ 'T suppose you remember, Mr.. Gripenfelt"
he said, plunging headlong into his business"
that engaged you as a music teacher for my
daughter at the recommendation of Mr.. Stein,
the banker whom have long known as an hon
orable gentleman"
"Yes, believe Mr.. Stein told me So"
''Then you recognize, on his account. the obli-
cation to behave as gentleman"
The musicians dark eyes suddenly kindled
with dangerous fire. II recognize that obi
CATION on my own account" he said with re-
strained passion; "but on no one else's. I haf
neffer been required to give bond for my gentle
manlness."
Il am gratifed to hear you say that" OBJ
served Mr.. Van Tassell coolly.
"And since you feel such qualification per-
haps you will do mo the favor to inform me What
gives you the right to express it to MET"
| Greifenstett had risen to his full height. and
stood with his head flung back, speaking with
fine hauteur. Van Tassell, who was slightly
embarrassed by his unforeseen question, leaned
upon chair, and tried to present an imposing
and indignant front
Il did not engage you to make love to my
daughter" he blurted out rudely las her
father, have the right to critcise your con-
duct"
"And-and-has Miss Van Tassell told you
dat l haf made love to herl" cried Max in
amazement
Mr. Van Tassell pondere. little and scowled
in order to hide his perplexity.
mo-" he said hesitatingly, 'she has not said
exactly that"
| What, den, has she said, if may askr
"Oh, there is no use in your putting on that
surprised air. l am too old bird to be imposed
upon by such capers."
But must insist upon knowing What she has
said"
well, she has talked about your grand soul,
and all that sort of truck. No girl talks that
| way about man who hadn't made love to her"
i Instead of answer Greifenstett flung him
self down on the piano stool and struck some
great sonorous chords, full of placid triumph and
contentment A contemptuous calm had taken
possession of him; his anger was as if blown
away. Van Tassell stared at him, as if he
thought he had gone mad.
well, sir!" he cried, wrathfully, what have
you got to say for yourselfl'
Max struck few more chords, then, with
smile which his visitor thought The most odious
thing he had ever beheld, wheeled about on the
/ stool.
My dear sir he said with half plying supe-
| roritv tthou T y,rovopt vorp dan oh from
making desc discoveries You poor Philstnes
| who cripple your souls With a great golden bur-
den-whose thoughts meany grovel among
coupons, and Deeds and mortgages, how can
you conceive of the sphere in which an artist
livesl With your lofty contempt, which is so
| amusing to free and noble spirits who haf the
courage to despise your petty pursuits and deir
rewards, you look down upon dose the latchets
of whose shoes you are not worthy to unloosen.
/ 1t is yourself and dose with. whom you associate
who haf taught your daughter to make the dis
tinctions of which you complain. If you had not
all been so small. she would neffer haf discov-
cred dad l vas great by comparison"
If Beethoven had opened his marble lips, and
proceeded to swear at him, Van Tasse could
not have been more astonished. He gasped for
breath, became apoplectic and sat down in
chair feeling in spite of all efforts to the con-
trary, routed and Inundated. Max's attitude
was so utterly unprecedented, that he did not
know how to deal with it. If he had been
Southerner, he probably would have shot him,
but being a peaceful Knickerbocker given to
gout and apoplexy, he had no desire for physi-
cal encounter. '"rhere must be some mistake
| here, Mr. Gripenswelt," he said distorting the
name, last assertion of his dignity; Il will
overlook the fact that you have spoken to me
in very unbecoming manner considering my
age and position, and | will only ask you to
| discontinue your lessons for the present II
wish my daughter to give up her music. She is
too excitable She carries things too far. She
might take up something else that would occupy
her thoughts pleasantly-pa painting for instance,
or-or charity. Charity is very harmless
and ladylike occupation. They say it com
mences at home, and that reminds me that
/ owe you something; some sixty or seventy
dollars, believe. Well, let us make i. hun
dred. 1t makes no particular differen ce to me,
you know. keepit-I beg of you to keep it; good
morning. Don't trouble yourself; good morn
ing."
/ Mr.. Van Tassell dashed down the stairs and
out of the front door with Fall the speed that his
corpulence would permit. His last maneuvere
struck him as being particularly brilliant 1t
rehabilitated his dignity and restored his self
respect. He drove home in fairly contented
humor, and was just giving somewhat garbled
account of the interview to his daughter, when
the door-bell rang and messenger appeared with
a letter Mr.. Van Tassell tore open,the envelope
and found, beside note, two crisp twenty-dol-
| lar bills.
"Confound his internal airs" he muttered,
crumbling the note fiercely in his hand
'sWould you mind my reading that letter,
papa?r queried Catharine with faint tremulous-
| ness
Il would mind you mindng your own busi-