Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-14
THE MUSICAL MAN.

I'LL MUOlUAu MANi
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
llttle-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 q
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 little lame and a
good deal hypochondriacal, and always
breakfasted in his own room. lie was
particular, and consequently occupied
the best room in the house.
The major was tall, fine-looking
man, with an imposing presence, a
good deal of bald forehead, and great
aptitude at Scripture quotations, and
all the nelghbors said what comfort
it must be to Mrs. Moody to have such
boarder.
They did not know that the major
was 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 me =, said the little widow,
fervently. 70
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 flbert-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 little late" apologctically
confessed Mrs. Moody. "But Sarah
Jane was behindhand. There's a
regular Scotch mist in the air, and the
kitchen chimney would not draw. Try
a new boiled egg, major. And the
rasher of bacon is good, L know, for
cooked it myself"
"Humph humph p said the major
"You ought to be little particular
with your breakfasts, Mrs. Moody
They are the initial meal of the day
you know. This coffee is not as good
as usual. 1t isn't real Java, Mrs
Moody; it tastes like Maracalbo."
81 pad Java price for it," said Mrs
Moody, meekly; land the grocer war
ranted it."
"You can never depend upon what
these tradespcople say" grunted the
major, with his mouth full of egg anG
bacon. "By-the-way, is it possible
Mrs. Moody, that you have taken thai
opera man into your third-story hal
bedroom? l heard it, but 1 couldn'
bring my mind to believe it."
"He isn't singer, major" pleaded
the trembling Mrs. Moody, "And HI
doesn't play the flute or the cornet
l took particular pains to inquire al
about that. He's engaged in writin,
a musical book-something which i
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, settinl
down the cup of despised Maracaibo
Sin your circumstances, Mrs. Moody
you've no business taking poor board
ers."
Eyes, l know it, major. but he ha
Just been sick, and he looks so pal
and wretched-'
"There it is again |" cried Majo
Peck. A woman is so easily taken ir
1 tell you, Mrs. Moody, the man is a
impostor, and so you'll find IT,"
"Dear, dear p said Mrs Moody, tn
startled tears coming into her fade
blue eyes.
"And if you will not take my at
vice." said the major, waxing momer
tarily more irritable, "you must expec
to abide the consequences. This toas
Is charred-absolutoly burned to
crisp. Take it away, Mrs. Moody-d
take it away My breakfast
spoiled r
"But what am | to do about tn
new boarder ?" said Mrs. Moody, de-
pairingly.
"Do !" shouted the major. "Tur
him out of doors That's the onl
thing to do. Take away this tCast,