The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-06-28

els Mrs. Nugent's place near heress''
said he, taking off his cap in spite Of the
rain.
s.Bless your heart, mol" said Mrs.
Blatchford. 'sIt's nine good miles away
on the other road. How ever came you
to take this way?"
I've a parlor organ here" said the
music man, glancing backward at the
dim outline of a wagon in the road,
"that I was to deliver to Miss Nugent.e
"Guess you'1l hardly deliver it to-
night" said Aunt Betsey. "a parlor
organ, eh? For Matildy Nugent? Well,
I wonder what folly she'll be guilty Of
next"
Would you kindly allow me to bring
it in hereY' asked Mr.. Ives Wayte, with
his most ingratiatory air.
"What, in all tho rai9p"
"Oh, it is safely packed in rubber
wrappings. It won't injure this nice
new carpet said the bland traveller,
''that reminds me Of one my mother has
just finished up in Nantucket"
Eyes" said she, ssyou may fetch it In.
I never seen a parlor organ. There was
a man came by with one in plum time
with q monkey at the end Of a long
string''-
ooh, this is quite a different affair"
WINGED the music man. eff I could sleep
tonight in your barn-
You needn't do that, said Aunt Bet
sey, quite propitiated by the humble air
and manner of this chance visitor.
'sThere's a spare bedroom openin' out Of
the kitchen that you're welcome to-"
"Many thanks, madam" bowed the
agent. CAS- I was about to remark, if
you will kindly give me house room I
should like to play a few airs for you on
this instrument, inst to show you its
tune and compass"
'sWell," said Aunt Betsey, who never
objected to a treat which she could get
for nothing, ut would be rather a joke
for me to hear Matildy Nugent's organ
afore she heard it herself, wouldn't it,
now? l guess, young man, you may put
it up if it amt too much trouble"
The music man dried himself before
the fire. He refreshed himself with a
plate of Aunt Betsey's excellent dough-
nuts and a drink of her cider, and then,
cheered both in mind and body, he ap-
piled himself to business and soon set
the melodeon up in the little sitting
room.
ut amt bad lookin', = said Mrs. Blatch-
ford, viewing it meditative1y.
MI. Ives Wayte sat down before the
instrument, and touchedit with a master
hand.
He played Crock of Ages" "Shining
Shore, . 'sBruce's Address," .sKillarney"
and a few such age worn veterans Of
melody.
"Kin you play Old Rosin the Bow I"
suddenly demanded Aunt Betsey with
something like tears in her eyes
II think l cam" said Mr.. Ives Wayte,
and he evoked the sadly sweet chords of
the old time lay with "crescendo'' and
sdiminuendo' like the wall Of o human
voice.
Seems most like 'twis speakin'," said
Mrs. Blatchford. sInever knowed there
was SO much in the parlor organs. Be
they very costly, misterT
Mr.. Ives Wayte named the price.
Aunt Betsey hesitated-shook her head
-pondered.
''It seems a good deal O money!" said
she. "But, arter all, what's money? And
Della, she's dredfu1 fond o. music. I'm
most certain she could learn to play that
there Instrument, and it sort o. sounds
nice to hear them old fashioned tunes
that folks used to sing when I was d gall
Ny moneys my own, / guess, to do as
I'm a mind tol" half defiantly. "And |
wilt / say, Nj. Musieman, If you leave
that melodeon just there where it stands,
and cart up another for Matildy Nugent,
I'll take it, and pay you cash down for
it,, said Mrs. Blatchford. ssThere now!"
well" said he, ''since you desire it, I
think it might be managed. The instru-
mentis here. That counts for something. -
'sIt's proper slightly" said Mrs. Blateh-
ford. Della has been a good, hard work
in girl. Play that lasttune over again,
Mr.. Musicman-she's comm up the path
now. I heerd the gate latch crealr."
"Am | dreaming she cried. "What
is this? How came it here? Oh, Aunt
Betsey'-
ssIt's a present I'm goin' to make you,
Della" said the old lady, with beaming
eyes. Come here and kiss mes And
I'll hire Miss Barton to give you music
lessons-and we'll take solid comfort out
O. this ere! See if we DON'T"
The music man pocketed a roll of bills
and went his way rejoicing. Marcus
Wayte heard the tidings with great joy.
Little Miss Barton welcomed the news
of a new scholar with heartfelt thank
fulness-and Aunt Betsey went around
the house humming 'Those Evening
Bells" and wiping the dust off a new joy
every few minutes.
"It's something to get ahead o Matildy
Nugent," said she. "A1d Delia's been a
good, dutiful gal all her lifef'
Didn't / tell you it was as good as
doneg, said Ives Wsyte to his cousin
when next they met.
Il think, Z said Marcus, laughing, "you