St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-01-23
THE UNMUSICAL PIANO.
And How It Was That It Ceased
to Annoy.

And How It Was That It Ceaset
to Annoy.
Objects To Isis Lonely. Sad Neigh.
bor's Musical ERorts-In .
Pathetic Key.
'HaA . queer experience the other
day. said Jimpson at the club, slipping
his coffee. The after-dinncr conversa-
ti0n had drifted into discussion IS to
whether the piano was a curse or a
blessing to modern life. The opinions
seemed to be about evenly divided.
Certainly it cannot be said Of the
piano, as of other instruments, that its
'"Music arose with its volupiuous swell
Soft eyes looked lore to eyes which spake
again
For Byron wrote that at timc when
the piano was as yet practically un-
known. No- did Wordsworth have ref.
erence to the piano when he remarked:
."whcre music dwells,
Lingering. and wandering on IS loath 70 die.
Like thoughts, whose very sweetness yielded
proof
That they we're born for immortality
mo. no; it has been amply stated
that music hath charms 10 soothc the
savage breast but not piano music.
That line was penned at . much earlier
period,
'''When Music. heavenly maid, vas young,
While yet In carly Greece shc sua9,'
And. therefore. ye brethren of the
Quill, I have to cast my vote against
the further continuance of this instru-
plent of torture auricular and mental
the piano."
This harangue had been delivered by
Simpson, the recognized authority on
the poets, . man who was always
suariter in modO, Jorfi,cr in re and whose
voice, therefore, was rather potent It
was in reply 70 him that Jilnpson had
said:
Had . queer experience the other
day."
And 70 this . chorus had responded
with: "Theu by all means let us have
it.''
"well." said Jiml you know I
have lived in a flat 81 st May. Its
cozy. containing every kind of improve
meut that heart can wish. and for
about . month I felt real comfortable
tr it But one evening, Just about
dusk. rs was lolling in my easy chair,
heard music overhead in the upper
nat II was piano music. That in
itself was nothing to get angry about.
but the kind of music it was! Played
by somebody who has never been
properly taught. who hacks away snd
makes each note snriek and howl, who
has no conception of harmony, meas
ure and Tins, the haclkneyed pieces
which filtered down to me through the
ceiling in uuDsthetic chunks by no
means promoted my post-praudial di-
GestiOn. Next morning I inquired as
70 the identity of this modern Toraue-
mada. Twas told by the janitor it was
. young widower. who had lost his
wife but recently. quiet. unobtrusive.
otherwise wcll-behaved man. Next
evening, Is sat at my desk. painfully |
seeking for q proper denouement in |
the plot of my new NOVELETTE, hero |
having gotten himself into IN awful |
hole. from which it was very hard to |
cxtricatc him-the music overhead be- |
gan again. The same music, same |
pieces. And it was. played as exas-
peratingly rs ever. by clumsy fingers
and with . touch that would have done |
honor to q wood-chopper. felt sick
at heart In spite OF all my efforts to
ignore this tantalizing music, could
not Every bar hit my sensitive ear
like . trip-hammcr. ! was unable to
continue work. And that night in nv
sleep heard rs an endless refrain the
trills and frills of 10 Anderson, Nv
Jo.' Comm Thro' the Rye Annie
Laurie and Nancy Lee IL was a
regular nightmare. Walking and
sleeping, those over-ripe tunes followed
me about-atc with me. drank with
me, slept with me and prevented me
from work Thus fortnight passed.
and I was just about on the brink of
lunacy.
Last Wednesday evening. rs the
piano fiend above was again racking
nv soul and body. l became desperate.
Of course, knew had no legal right
10 interfere, nor to tell him to stop his
Internal playing. But an Unsuitable
lesire to see what this ficnd in human
share looked like, and whether. per-
mans, by bulldozing or BY skillful Hat
ery might prevail upon him to let up
IN me, had taken possession of me.
aad wasted away to q Ihadow during
hat fortnight. and thought he might
take pity on me il threats or
diplomacy should not prevail. So
.limbed up that fight of stairs and
ouched the electric button. instantly
he playing ceased. Slow. heavy steps,
a Of one tired Out, came. and the door
vas opened. I was invited in Ii
s.Whcn had at down in his dining I
com l hurriedly took an inventory. {
There was but the lighted piano lamp, I
md that shed . rather dim and uncer- I
ain light over the rest of the room. {
sut noticed Ill sorts of "reminiscences
4 his dead wife. There were pretty (,
tides on the sofa and |
hairs: there were several tiny paint 4
nvs-uuite evidently the work of 81
em.le amateur; and there was por =
r.it Of the deceased herself. draped in {
rane and in one corner of the frame
mex |. faded. dried bunch OF flowers
he picture showed . pretty young face,
hose dark eyes seemed to look upon
u With = gentle, reproachful gaze.
- - feel : load settling down on b
y "a the heart within me grew y
nxv. I felt woeso than IN iutruder-
~ Ike : ruthleos TO- n this mourn
y 49, g . bevps1a1s t1Aas bad beeA i