Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-02-01
THE PIANO IN CAMP.

that three men had been killed at Sill
yer Reef and that the bodies were
coming in. Presently numbering old
conveyance labored up the hill, drawn
by two horses, well worn out with
their pull. The cart contained good
sized box, and no sooner did its out
lines become visible through the
glimpse Of stray light here and there,
than il began to affect the idlers.
Death always enforces respect, and
even if no one had caught sight OF the
remains, the crowd gradually became
subdued, and when the horses came
to q stand-still, the cart was immedi-
ately surrounded. The driver. how
ever, was not in the least impressed
with the solemnity of the occasion.
'All there?n asked one.
Haven't examined. Guess so.
The driver filled his pipe and lit it as
he continued:
wish the bones and load had gone
over the grade"
4 man who had been looking on
stepped up at once.
Il don't know who you have in that
box, but if they happen to be any
friends of mine, I'll lay you along
side
I'VE can mighty soon see, said the
teamster, coolly. Just burst the lid
off, and if they happen to be the men
you want, I'm here
The two looked at each other for
moment, and the crowd gathered lit
tie closer, anticipating trouble.
The teamster began to pry up the
lid. He got a board of, and then
pulled out some old rags. y strip OF
something dark like rosewood, pre-
sented itself.
Eastern collins, by thunder said
several, and the crowd looked quite
astonished
Some more boards flew up, and the
man who was ready to defend his
friends memory shifted his weapon a
little The cool manner of the team
ster had so irritated him that he had
made up his mind to pull his weapon
at the first sight of the dead, even if
the deceased was his worst and oldest
enemy. Presently the whole of the
box cover was off, and the teaInster
clearing away the packing, revealed
to the astonished group the top of
something which puzzled all alike.
Boys said he, this is pianner. .
\ general shout of laughter went
up, and the man who had been so
anxious to enforce respect for the dead
muttered something about feeling dry
and the keeper Of the nearest bar was
several ounces better off by the time
the boys had given the joke all the at
tention it called for
Had dozen dead men been in the
box their presence in the camp could
not have occasioned half the excite
ment that the arrival Of that piano
caused. BY the next morning it was
known that the instrument was TO
grace hurdy, gurdy saloon owned by
Tom Goskin, the leading gambler of
the place 1t took nearly week to
get this wonder on its legs, and the
owner was the proudest individual in
the State. 1t rose gradually from
recumbent to an upright position.
amid a confusion of tongues, after the
manner of the Tower of Babel.
OF course everybody knew just how
such an instrument should be put up.
One knew where the "of hind leg
should go, and another was posted on
'the front piece"
Scores of men came to the place ey-
cry day TO assist.
IN put the bones in good order. =.
If you want the wires turned up, |
am the boy"
I've got music to feed it for
month.
Another brought pair of blankets
for a cover, and all took the liveliest
interest in it. 1t was at last in a con-
dition for business.
Its been showing it's teeth all the
week. We'd like TO have it spit out
something
Alas! there was not man TO be
found who could play on the instru-
ment. Goskin began to realize that
he had a losing speculation on his
hands. He had fiddler and Mexi-
can who thumbed the guitar A pi-
anist would have made his orchestra
complete One day three card mon
te player told friend confidentally
that he could knock any amount of
music out of the piano, if he only had
it alone for few hours to get his hand
in." This report spread about the
camp, but on being questioned he