Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1889-05-17
He VAS IN ARTIST.
Il Case Where apparel Did Not PsOctai"
the Man.


the Man.
It was in large music store on Wa
bash avenue, Chicago. A gentleman
probably some professor of music, was
seated at piano in the front part of the
store. His playing-for he was really s
good performer - soon attracted the
passers-by, many of whom stopped OF
the sidewalk to listen, while Others
with more boldness ventured on the in
side. Among the latter was tall, lank
country fellow, dressed in coarse, rough
clothes and wearing heavy cowhide
boots, into the tops of which were
thrust bis dirty blue overalls, both arti
cles of ! pparel indicating somewhat
extended and intimate acquaintance
with the stable.
Finally, the gentleman at the piano,
noticing the crowd which his playing
had attracted, finished the piece he was
on, with flourish, and, with some
what annoyed air, hastily left the store.
A few of his auditors, those, perhaps,
who had nothing much else to do, still
fingered, and among them was the
countryman.i
Presently the proprietor of the store
came forward with "a quick, business
like air, and al expression on his face
which seemed to say, Here. if you peo-
pie don't want to buy piano, your
room will be better appreciated than
your company. Those remaining
quickly took the hint and rather hastily
withdrew, all but the countryman. He
had somewhat timidly approached the
piano and with one hand began to gently
touch a note here and there on the key
board.
Don't touch that piano." said the
proprietor, rather sharply.
"Beg pardon" answered the fellow
somewhat confused, "but I was think
ing Of buying an instrument and thought
I'd just like to try this, as 1 liked its
tone"
"Ah," replied the music man, "that's
different; pray take seat. Here, I'll
bring you some music"
So saying he stepped to the back part
Of the store and soon returned with one
of Beethoven's symphonies, which he
placed open on the instrument. 1t now
dawned on the clerks and spectator or
two standing by, that the dealer was in
tending to have some fun with the coun-
tryman. A quiet exchange of winks
and smiles followed and all waited for
the fun to begin.
The countryman was, apparently, I'M
conscious of their raillery. He ran his
fingers rapidly over the keys of the in
strument, paused and glanced at the
music before him and then began play
ing. A few passages soon convinced all
that heard that an artist was at the
piano. AS the music proceeded, and
the delightful melody rolled forth from
the touch Of the inspired player, a look
of shame-faced awe and wonder came
over the faces of his listeners. When
he ceased playing, the music dealer
went up to him and said:
My friend, 1 owe you an apology.
You are welcome to come here any time
and try any instrument you like. I have
not heard such playing for manga day. n
I have never learned the fellows his
tory, or how it was that man of his
musical talent was evidently working
as day laborer, but this I do know
that he is now in the employ of that
music house at good salary, and moves
among class of people who appreciate
his talents. In the garb he now wears
he looks too, the cultured man that he
is; but when I first saw him, his ap.
parel did much deceive even those who,
in their judgment of others, fancied
themselves among the shrewdest. Sc
it is, appearances are often deceptive
Ed. r. Pritchard, IN -4rEa,asaac
Traveller.