The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-09

If she loses more than's in the drawer
here's the key O. the safe. I'm OF fur
the depot" And he rushed out Ct tho
room, 1ofloReo Dy at least dozen OF
the bystanders, who Leaved sighs Of re-
lief at the prospect of probing the mys-
terry which for tho past two weeks had
enveloped every movement OF Jack
Bowdoin.
Arriving at the depot the crowd dis.
covered Jack in the midst OF hetero'
geneous mass Of express matter, paying
marked attention to a'huge packing
case, upon which his name was EN-.
blazoned in large letters.
Did yer find her, Jack?'
'Hallol Follered me, did yer3 Yes,
she's come"
where is she2"
why, in this here box" And turning
to the teamsters, no insisted that the
case should be at once placed upon a
truck, at the same time acceleratinG
their movements BY a liberal system OF
tips.
"she amt dead, is she, Jackf"
Dead! Who?"
"The gal."
The gall Why, ypu internal fool, it's
an organ!'
There was q lnomentary lull OF
mingled establishment and chagrin, then
a loud peal Of laughter, and before the
dozen or 30 of eavesdroppers could sum-
mon sufficient courage 10 gain further
information, Jack had mounted the
truck and was on the way up town with
his precious consignment.
The bulky packing case was trundled
into the main hall Of The Little Ca.
sino," aud when it was opened loud
succession OF cheers greeted the dis
closure Of its contents. The organ was
set up in the place which had been pre-
pared fo, 1t, and its delighted owner
ordered champaign all round by way OF
christening what was unanimously pro-
nounced to be the most beautiful piece
of furniture ever seen in Aspen.
is it better'n pianner, jack9" was
asked.
.Better'n pianner! Why, II a deuce
is better'n an ace; if q 1sh-horn's bet
tern brass band, 80 can this here ma
chine give pianner high, jack game,
s-I --;~~-1
#GIve us tune, then, was suggested
and echoed at once by dozen voices.
All right cheerily responded Jack;
.and if you fellers don't swear you never
heard real music before in all yer lives,
I'll give up every dollar I've got"
He sat before the instrument with an
air of .unwouted self-consciousness, and
pressed his fingers upon the keys. But
the So, 900 investment failed to give forth
the slightest SOUND. and yell OF de-
rision greeted his failure to produce the
.only real music they had ever heard.
Stuck, by thunderl The damned
things dummy, and the drinks are
On me-"
But the Professor came to his
rescue, explained the use Of keykoards,
stops. pedals and bellows, and jock
made another attempt. The euect was
electrical, and the success Of the second
effort most complete. 1t was indeed
weird, fantastic scene. AS II by magic,
every sound save that Of the organ was
hushed, and hundred desperadoes
stood gathered in restful attitudes
around it, while this enthusiastic out
cast, for the first time on record, played
the holy strains of Rock Of Ages" in
Western gambling hell.
1t is not the purpose Of the writer to
dwell upon the history OF that organ at
"The Little Casino, nor to particularize
as to its many successful recitals.
Suffice it 10 say that it proved the har-
binger Of a stupendous run Of luck to
Jack Bowdoin, and he made such a
rapid advancement as on organist that
within month he committed to memory
every selection he had heard in the lit
tie brown church.
To effect this result he was forced to
pass through the same fiery ordeal OF
ministerial anathema whenever he at
tended service, and that was twice every
Sunday. He felt that whenever the
worthy pastor shook his finger at him
and shouted the usual cnmharsoma "l"t-
itudes, he was being neId up before the
congregation as terrible example, but
he bore it all patiently, and his uneasy
twistings in his seat ceased whenever
the choir began to sing. He drank in
every sound Of voice and organ with
studious avidity, and when service was
over he would duplicate them in The
Little Casino"
After time he grew dissatisfied at
the brevity and simplicity Of his reper-
tory, for the selections of the church
choir had grown to he tircsome series
Of repetitions. He purchased volume
after volume Of organ music and read
the titles of hundreds OF offertories,
sonatas, and TIE Deums by the great
masters, but the notes were as unintel-
18th 10 hn eli nf
and he was all the more helpless because
the professor" could not read note Of
music.
There was but one way out Of what
had grown to be a serious trouble; he
must take lessons from the lady organ
ist, and as she could be reached only
through the minister, that worthy must
be interviewed without delay.
In less than half an hour Jack was
knocking at the door Of the parsonage,
and the minister's wife, opening it,
stood eying him with an inquiriag
glance.
Il want to see the rarson."
"Who shall say, pleasc?"
"Er-ah-Mr. thompson, OF Denver,
on most important business"
Not the Rev. Mr.. Thompson?"
"Well--er-no, mum, not exactly-er
I'm his brother"
HE will be glad 10 see you, I am
sure. You will find him thoro in his
study" And she indicated the direction
of that sacred snuggcry by q wave Of
her hand.
Jack entered the room and stood ner-
vous and uncovered in the presence Of
the Rev. Joshua Sampson. He had
far rather have faced pair Of loaded
revolvers, but although he never for
moment lost his sclf-posscssion, he was
doubtful as to how to begin the inter-