The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-01-05
She Wanted a Piano.

As an instance of|the blissful exper.
ience which the average piano sales
man is forced to Undergo at times. the
following story was told to New
York EVentng Stan reporter by Ben.
Jansen, manager of Brambach's piano
salesroom; Atl5:5O on a Wednesday
night, when he had just finished COW
ering the forty odd pianos and was
about to lock up for the night, a coupe
drew up at the door and stylishly
dressed lady alighted and entered the
rooms. ''Will you please show me the
best upright piano you have, if it's not
too much trouble?" she said.
Certainly, madam. Not the slight
est trouble in the world. That's what
I'm paid for"
In minute the versatile manager
was running trills and striking chords
that would have persuaded an Orpheus
into buying out the whole place, or
have served to fascinate and entrance
the proprietor of Bowery museum.
"And what may be the price, if you
pleaseP"
ut is $3.50. ma'am, and 1 am abso-
lutely certain that you"
81 don't think l like the tone; it
seems to want fullness. Would you
please to try this One?"
After ten minutes more of Strauss
and Verdi the lady made up her mind
that the sound was too hard. Ten
minutes more on the next.
''And what is it worthP" she in
quired.
"Only $3.50"
No, there was something about it
she did not like; if he would please try
the next. The music of Mr.. Janssen's
soul had died away in most mourn
full cadence. At every new piano he
opened he could scarcely refrain from
striking up the ''Dead March in Saul"
| but none seemed to suit. Too hard
| too soft, too full, not full enough
seemed to be the burden of her song.
| The little ormolu clock on his desk had
| chimed out the hours of z and 8. One
gas Jet after another he had turned op
in dumb despair. The music of the
pianos seemed to find q hollow echo
in the ''Rock-a-by Baby" of the Jehu
outside, but the lady never weakened.
At last he had tried every one of the
| forty-two pianos in the rooms, From
$3.50 to 5000 the prices ran. yet no sale,
Nine o'clock struok.
Now, my dear sir, if you will only
please try that first one over again;
I imagine it had the sweetest tone,''
with pleasure, ma'am. 1t is the
best upright in the rooms"
.'And the pricep"
.'Seven hundred and fifty dollars.
ma'am."
| More Intoxicating strains of Strauss,
L hos y l,,t
me see. You advertise to rent up
rights for Sc a month. Then you
might possibly be able to let me nave
it for three months at 1852"
s:Whati You only wanted to rent a
piano?'
Certainly, sir. Only for three
months, if YOU can make the discount, u
For moment the versatile manager
feared an attack of hysteria. He
glanced at the eclock-9:20-then slow.
~ felt for the two reserved tickets fol
that night at WailaGk's, as his mind
wandered to his best girl waiting pa
tiently for one that never came. He
seemed TO grow an inch taller as he
gazed at the defenseless woman who
stood before him. If it were but d
man. Then, with smile. he slowly
spokel stMadam, / have but one enc
my in the world. He is salesman al
Sohmer's. If you will only repeat this
performance on him shall deem oul
account square, and you shall have
the upright for six months for moth
ing.
As the lady drove away he seemed
to thoroughly appreciate for the first
time in his career as a salesman those
words:
| Every dog has his day.
| And some have u day and half.