The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-03-25
HOW THE BROWNS GOT A
PIANO.
By MISS AMELIA THRoPP.


my dear" said Mrs. Brown to her
husband, as she sat at the breakfast
table, whilst he was reading the morn
ing paper, as he slipped his coffee, Il do
wish our girls had piano. 1t is too
bad, John" she continued, appealing
". that they are obliged to stay at
Mrs. Elmer's after taking their lessons
to practice. 1t is the only chance they
get, poor things, and with such talent
as Mary has, it is disgraceful.' y
Mr.. Brown was well-to-do mer-
chant. residing at the city of P, who
spent so much for his own comfort that
his amiable wife and two pretty daugh-
ters were obliged to practice the strictest
economy.
"You know, dear" persisted his wife,
1--WE have been doing our own house
work for the last two years, and have
saved two hundred and eighty dollars.
If you would add three hundred to il,
we could purchase a very good one.
Mary is now sixteen, and it is time she
was able to entertain company as nicely
as other girls of her age. Besides, Tilly
Higgins, our neIghbor's girl. quite gives
herself airs with our Mary and Martha,
and am sure we are as good as the
Higgins"
"Jane," replied Mr.. Brown, "don't
you think you are making an unreason-
able demand to want such q sum of
money these hard times to buy the girls
a piano when it is all can do to make
both ends meet. 1t is unreasonable and
ridiculous. am not going to be ruined
by my family, therefore, l will do no
such thing. Girls nowadays are alto
gether too fine. The other day [ went
to little country village to collect a
bill, and, going along one of the prinei-
pal streets, | saw an old woman wash
ing the sidewalk whilst the daughter
was within the house playing on the
piano. I'll have no such nonsense here:
Our girls are good, industrious and
saving, and they shan't be spoiled. Be-
sides, | have not the money and that
settles it."
"Oh," said his wife coaxingly, "if
you would give up your club, wine and
cigars for one year you could easily
save the amount; and only think of the
pleasure little self denial on your part
would be giving your children. Now
do consent, John! That's dear, good
man, that you are"
Mr.. Browns neck he could not have
been more surprised at his timid wife's
audacity. Give up his club, wine and
cigars! Was his wife crazy? Or did
she think him so? Well, well, this was
pretty business! He would like to
know what women would be at next,
with their assurance, and his wife was
getting as badly spoiled as the rest of
her sex.
He dashed his clenched hands on the
table with such force that some of the
dishes. waltzed off upon the floor,
snatched up his hat, darted across the
hail, and left the house, pulling the
street-door to behind with bang. He
was heated and excited, regarding him
self as very much insulted and abused
1t was true, he thought, he must admit,
''his wife was always amiable, kind and
unselfish. but the idea of her asking him
to give up his club, wine and cigars for
a whole year to buy the girls piano"
such demand fairly choked Mr.. Brown
with indignation. ''As if" he said to
himself, "a man who worked hard did
not need these comforts" As he was
thus arguing to himself, with the air Of
a martyr, turning a street corner he met
the Misses McClain, who, approaching
him, said:
"Glad to meet YOU. Mr.. Brown. We
want to have little talk with you. Our
school closes now in two weeks, and the
exercises terminate with grand con-
cert. The best player is to get hand
some gold medal for prize. Every one
thinks your Mary or lilly Higgins will
<,af b,,f IL will ror,,ir.a crraaf Aoal nf
practice for the pieces are very difficult.
rilly thinks she is sure of it, for she
says, you have no piano at your house,
and Mary won't be able to practice
much but as you live next door, we
are going to try and coax Tilly into
generosity, and ask her to permit Mary
to use her instrument little time each
day, and let the contest be fair one. Ii
she won't consent we will try some one
else"
You need do no such thing" ex-
claimed MIR. Brown; ''she should not
touch Higgins piano if they We're will
ing, which know they wouldn't be. ="
As he continued his way he muttered,
Il won't have my girls going around
asking favors, they can just stay at
home'' However, the idea of the red
headed lilly Higgins playing at the
concert, probably getting the prize,
whilst his little Mary had to stay at
home because she could not get the op-
portunity to practice, troubled MIR.
Brown in spite of himself.
IL might try doing without it year, -"
he finally said to himself. 81 don't see
that my club, wine and cigars do me
much good anyway, besides year soon
rolls around. I'll just take a walk down
Chestnut street and take look at one,
that won't be buying it"
As he entered the ware-room of his
friend, Mr.. C., and asked to be
shown some instruments. he felt some
what annoyed when his friend expressed
surprise at his not having an instru-
ment, remarking: 81 have heard your
eldest daughter is tirst-class player,
she must have labored under great dis
advantages.
Mr.. Brown colored at the remark,
and said, '.She shall have one, poor
child! want you to send good one
to my house Immediately"
If he had not wished to have been
shaken in his resolutions. he should have
staid outside and contented himself by
looking within. Like an old gentleman
| of whom | once heard, who, when he
! went with his daughters shopping,
would stand outside the stores, take his
/ cane and knock upon the window.
/ When the clerk would appear and ask
.svhat he wanted, and for him to please
walkrin l." he would reply. No, l thank
YOU, YOU be so good rs to send me that
and that, and that, with the bill, +" point.
ing with his finger to what he wanted.
! When his girls would demonstrate with
him on his singular way of doing, he
would answer: when l stay outside
they can't coax me into taking what
don't want and can't afford"
In the evening when Mr.. Brown ar
rived at home, and saw the happy