Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-07-01
THoMPsON'S QUEER OLD HOMESTEAD.
WHY The Piano Played at Night-Running
Down a Ghost-and Finding a Wife
Romantic Tales from Real


Romantic Tales from Real
Life.
One very hot summer, Thompson, my
old school friend, offered to lend me his
house for month. Circumstances more
plainly my means-wOuld not allow me
to 90 abroad. / dislike the seaside, and
never go there for pleasure, so L gladly
accepted his offer, and leaving my hot
and dusty rooms and office to my land
ladys mercy went down to the quiet old
cathedral town for a month of country
air.
Thompson's house stands at the Close,
at some little distance from the dwellings,
inhabited by canons and dean in those
sedate precincts.
It is very old, and was evidently built as
one large house. but for many years 1T
has been divided. Thompson lets the
other half. His own part was the larger
half of beautiful Old-fashiOned garden
on the back and on the first day of my
arrival l did nothing, I fear, but wander
up and down the lawn and give myself
the pleasure of having absolutely moth
ing which must be done in that day.
But the next morning, after breakfast.
I started on a long expedition IN search
of interesting church architecture, IN
which I knew the neighhOrhood was rich,
and about which am an enthusiast-na-
tural, perhaps, as [ am an architect. But
mine is not only professional interest; IN
any case I must have felt the charm of
the old records of the past" contained
in early English, decorated and perpen-
dicular arches and pillars, for those to
whom these words are far more than
names.
On my return that evening [ found
Thorn psons good hOusekeeper-he. is not
married-rather anxious at my late hours
and excited at the arrival of new tenants
next door. They had been expected ap-
parently for some days, and Mrs. Morse
was most anxious that they should prove
as quiet and inoffensive as the last tenant
a deaf and paraIytic old lady, ''who never
annoyed master nor me in the least, and
she was there when / came-14 years ago
last May, that is
All this and much more of her fears
and anxieties lest the new neighbOrs
should give nUioy parties ana keep late
hours, "as they did next where L lived
last, which was why left sir, for their
noise was dreadful" Mrs. Morse told me,
as she held in her hand the toast which
she had brought in for my tea, and
which in her abstraction, she forgot to
set down.
Not until she had at last shut the door
after her good natured gossip, and L had
found the toast decidedly cold, did [ re-
member that I had heard a piano the
night before, as I sat and smoked, APP
parently next door. I accounted for 1t
by imagining that some one must have
arrived there sooner than Mrs. Morse
knew.
She told me the next morning that the
new neighbOrs were only young lady
and her aunt, and on hearing this | most
successfully Gained her fears of the
night before.
During the next week I spent most of
my time in sketching church near by,
which had discovered. Generally 1 am
unreasonably irritated when 1 am obliged
to listen to other peoples pianos against
my will; there is something very trying
in being obliged to submit, without re-
monstrance, to hear whatever they may
be moved to play.
But this was different. 1t was, [
thought, a woman's touch, and she played
well-chiefy old airs and sOnatas of Cor
ELI. l am very fond of the cid musicians.
and there was in this playing of them
something very gentle and soothing.
One evening, at the end of that week,
l found, on coming in, note, which l
opened, and read in great surprise:
''Miss Ethel Mayne would be very great
~ obliged if Mr.. Wyndham would not let
his piano be used at so late an hour.
Miss Mayne asks this for the sake of her
aunt. an invalid, who Is greatly disturbed
by it."
I read this note over and over again,
each time with more amazement. How
could I explain, without being rude or
brusque, that not only had 1 never played
during my stay here, but that the house
did not even contain a piano? Thompson
is not in the least musical. The more [
thought of it the stranger it appeared.
One thing was certain-the piano which
disturbed them must be the same as that
to which listened on so many evenings.
At last I decided to call next morning,
and explain better than note that [ was
not to blame. l did so, and was shown in
to drawing room wearing the uncom-
Portable look common to newly arranged
rooms, before they have had time to re-
ceive any marks of the owners character
istics.
In a few moments the door opened, and
tall girl with dark hair and a sweet
face, came in. She bowed as [ rose. and
said:
Mr.. Wyndham, 1 believe? 1 imagine
you have called in answer to my note. I
am sure you will accede to my request.
My aunt is only now recovering from a
long illness, and the piano keeps her
awake at night
Il would, of course, instantly discon-
tinue it," said [, ''if it were in my power;
but 1 came to explain that l have played
nothing since my coming here; indeed,
my friend has no piano-in fact Miss
Mayne, have thought that I was listen
ing to your playing every night, for I
have heard what must be the same piano."
Miss Mayne looked incredulous at first,
then utterly amazed.
II do not understand" she said. "Can
it be that we are near enough to hear this