Wichita eagle., 1889-12-19
PHANTOM MUSIC.

In order fur tn tell this story as 1t had orter
be told / am obleeged to brag little and
mention, kinder promislus like and not sot
up at all, because gifts is bestowed by Provi-
dence and we can't help haven 'em-that
am the musical genius of the family. 1t isn't
SO awful musical, when you come to inquire,
you think by that remark. Ma don't
know one tune from another, and pa can only
sing the "Doxoiogy," long meter, and "Yan-
kee Doodle" bat sister Susan plays onto the
accordion, and brother Nappy he gets along
real good on the jew'sharp, and Tom kin
play little cr. a tin whistle, so that even be-
fore ] took lessons 1t wasn't impossible for
our folks To give our evening company lit
tie concerr. But they mostly didn't stay
late, and Ja be said be had kinder idea that
they didp't enjoy the music, though ma used
to say, anyway they'd feel we'd done all we
could to entertain 'ern, and mortal couldn't
do more. anyhow, the instruments have
mentioned are kinder old fashioned, and
twas q great Improvement when l learned
the piano
A lady teacher offered to teach me and
fetch down her piano fur her summer board,
and that is the way / got my lessons She
taught real good and real quick, said she
didn't see no need Of no tiresome scales, and
gave me pieces as soon as I'd learned the
notes.
By the time she went home could play
fifteen different tunes, and pa he went
straight to town and bought me a piano.
After that / played 'em to the company
whenever we had any. And it was mentioned
in The Smokehole Gazette how't "Our es-
teemed citizen Selim Choppers youngest
daughter, Neptany, was an actooal musical
prodigal."
Pa bought up half that weeks edition and
mailed it to friends. So, you see, was quite
ahead in my musical education before ever i
rlet Mr.. Herman Vondervitch He was a
boarder. too, and he WAS foreigner, and
didn't speak good English. He came to
board with US for the summer, and he chose
our house instecd of the Peters because we
had a piano.
Il also read in dot paper" said he, "dot
your loatiy daughter is musical chenius"
oval, says pa, ''yes, sir, we SO consider
her."
II am not a chenius," says Mr. Wonder
witch 81 play chuSt leetle, 'owever 1t
viii be a pleasure TO be NIT some Won who is
musical"
That's So" says pa, "you can practice on,
to Neptany's palmer Jest as much as you
like, and no doubt she'll give you hint now
and then if you can't catch a tune"
And he seemed tickled to death, and came
down next Monday with stack OF music
books that filed up the whole corner of the
parlor, and violin in a case. Pa brought
him in TO tea fust OF, and says he:
"Folkses, this here is Mir. Vondervitch. l
don't deny he's Dutch, but he can't help that
We hevn't got 40 say in where we air born
| felt kinder glad that Mr. Vondervitch
didn't appear to understand him, for the rest
Of the boarders seemed to be keepin' their
selves from staggering. But they ali
very polite 10 Mr.. Eondervitch, and so was
ma; and after tea pa says:
"Neptany, seem that Mr.. Vondervitch is
fond of music, though he don't play good
himself, why don't you give us songF
"Oh, pa" says |, I've got a cold"
~ lyon hain't," says pa.
We'll, says /, I'm sing after Mr.. Wonder
Witch sings himself"
SO" said Mr. Vondervitch "Oh. veil,
/ am but an amateur, but you viii pardon
me-"
Then he tried the piano.
1T IS a leetle out Of tune" said he.
as it!" said pa. If them piano people
have sold me al Instrument that amt in
tune I'll hev the law of them
Seemed to me AIR. Vondorvitch looked sort
of curious when he said that, but he logged
back his music book and opened it, and said
he:
II viii not sing; viii play some Chopin
Chop away says pa.
l never heard the piece he played before,
but some of the boarders clapped their hands
when lie got through, so they must hev liked
it, guess; ana then be played another piece
Pretty good, young man, said pa, ''youl Ii
get the tune all right pretty soon. Now, Nep-
tany, give us suthin oheerin't'
! played one of my best pieces. 'Twasn't
very polite for the bosrders to go out while
WAS doing it; but Mr. Vondervitch sat quite
still; and when got through be said:
"Ach, der tuyfel' which, 1 supposed was
high praise in German. So | played him
some more, After ! got through with Sweet
Vioiets," he seemed to be crying, and 1t is
real touching piece, I've often thought. Then
he sat down and played what considered his
scales for about an hour.
Ma didn't think that was Polite-I didnS
.,ther"
IA ne asked him what IL WA, and he an
wered
at Is perhaps too classical for everybody"
Wei says pa, I'll hats what you've GOT
20 do il your class, f-r;ysing Is the way.
L,r,,,. y,t-~ .-.-..,,. GOOD o,; 1912,