Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-02-11

began in the street. 1t came from four
hurdy-gurdies, all on the stone blocks in
front Of the office. The hurdy-gurdy
sounds like the skeleton of poor, old su-
perannuated piano which some brute has
aroused and is tickling to death. The four
men turning four cranks were jingllng out
of the for instruments tune which Mr..
Whiskers recognized at once and other
people somewhat later. 1t was Sweet
Niolets." He had closed his window eau
tiously, but on the sill, peering pitifully
in, were four octogenarian monkeys, all
holding pitiful little tin cups, and all wear
ing collars of sweet, beautiful violets.
Mr.. Whiskers blazed. He flew out of
his office and found the policeman after
long, hot hunt and notified him that
if organ grinders were not kept OFF his
block he, the policeman, would be kept off
the force Then he walked back with a
face very red and very conscious. His
llow-brokers were onto it." If there is
anything of interest to himself or his
brother that broker will not get onto 3"
it must be concealed under brick block.
That day and night Mr.. Whiskers was
certainly the maddest man in town. He
knew OF course some malicious rival was
at the bottom of it, and if he had found
him there would have been murder In all
the degrees known to the law.
Strange to say, the talk with the police
man did not the slightest good. There
was corruption of the largest kind at work.
During the next two days the very bricks
in the cornices on New street were singing
Sweet Violets" Hand organ, hurdy-
,,,4r,lx-r Ear,,a,, bapIa
thing in a great city that could make a
noise was making it to the familiar air in
New street. Mr.. Whiskers sat frothing at
the mouth in his Office, wondering how
much it would cost him t5fhoot blind
tenor who was roaring it under his win
dow under the mistaken impression that
he was intoxicating somebody's soul. That
night Mr.. Whiskers got almost drunk. He
was helpless He could not fight back.
1t suddenly began to dawn on him that
he had been making TOOL of himself, not
only in the eyes of his Violet but the
world in general. "If Mary should
hear of it Good heavensr thought Mr.
Whiskers.
Mr.. Whiskers went to his office after the
board next day with some trepidation.
The street, however, was as usual. There
were clerks and idlers and brokers and
loafers in only the usual quantity. He sat
down and dived deep into business with
some gentlemen. For fifteen minutes the
consultation continued. Then Mr.. Whisk-
ers heard a sound that made his heart
stand still.
1t was the most unearthly racket that
ever turned to turmoil a city street 1t
was whole procession. The street was
damned, and the street was roaring with
laughter. The whole earth seemed to be
tweedling and footing and banging and
squealing "Sweet Niolets." Like a holi-
day turnout the procession was:
-, Eight organ grinders abreast. Air, Sweet
Yiolets."
lets"
Italian tenors three. Air, Sweet violets"
Three little German bands Ten-foot Spaces
Air, Sweet Violets.'
Members of civic societies, not in uniform;
brokers, clerks, loafers bankers, etc. Air,
" Sweet Niolets."
The matinee concert, which took all the
paint from the front of his building, turned
Mr.. Whiskers to pallid, ashen agony.
They went away UNDECIDED. He sat for
hours alone in his Office weary and sore
from the futile efforts to kick himself
which had nearly broken both his legs.
One thing was fortunate. Mary heard
not word of it all He hurried her away
TO Old Point Comfort before it could pos
slbly reach her, and they fell in love over
again down there. At present they are
one of the cosiest young couples in town.
She has been sorely tempted at times to
maiciOusly hum-just hum-a certain
song in his hearing, but she is too kind
hearted to do it, and besides she is NOR
tally sure she would laugh. She is quite
certain, however, that her husband will
never sing it again as long as he lives
". Y. Times.