The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-07-10
miscellaneous.
MUSIC HATH CHARMS.

Mad! I'm so mad can't see. Now,
sis, don't tib-along with Your bad
English. What has happened that ]
find you in such state of-well, ex
citement?h
"Happened, the hatefulest, mean
est thing that could happen.' cried
the girl, with checks radder than any
rose, and eyes that We're emitting
sparks of fire, as novelists say. John
Weston
Poor Johnr'
you unsympathetic Joe! You are
as unkind as he, if you are my broth
err
II only said poor john l may be
rs unkind, but don't think I'm quite
as soft-hearted. What has he done :!
Don't You intend to contide in me?
I'm dying to know. And with a tan
talizing grin Joe Braban stretched
himself at full length upon the porch
steps, and watched his sister through
half-closed eyes.
"IIe told Lou that coaXed father
to sell the strip of land across the run
to buy my new piano"
Did he?'
YES, and Lou was kind enough to
add that it had placed father i'll an
embarrassed position, IT'S his farm was
small.n
"She didn't say as much!'
mo, but | caught her meaning
plainly; she's as hateful us can be,
anyway"
lis she? thought her particularly
nice"
well, you can think of her as you
please, but I'll never speak to John
Weston, again, never!'
Joe laughed.
Il won't. He said what was not
true; father wanted me to have the
piano, and that piece of land WASH
worth very much.'
at was the only strip of good bot
tom land we possessed" quoth Joe.
Il raised the best crop on it last year
| ever did; but | suppose the piano
was IL necessity, since you can play on
it SO beautifully
Joe, you are taking Johns part.
Here comes father; suppose he'll side
with you. OF course | can't play any
yet, but I've begun taking lessons.
Yes. and who's to pay for those
lessons?"
Il ain, I'm going to work and get
the money myself somehow. think
you're awfully mean. Don't worry,
father
The bent old man came slowly
around the house and sank down upon
the wooden chair that stood inviting
ly ready upon the wide, old fashioned
porch.
"rm dead tired" he said.
Joe looked at him, earnestly.
II wish you wouldn't work SO hard,
faf t,c rhnrn 10 nan1 laaUa III fn
me-
The old man shook his head.
'sTines is close, Joe, and with such
small crops and the winter comm on
it'll need all we kin both do to keep
the pot boiling. Mary, my dear,
where is your mother?n
'She went to the store at the Cor
ners an hour ago; it's time she was
coming home.n
why didn't you go yourself !!
Mother is too old for such Il long
walk" exclaimed Joe, Indignantly.
Il couldn't. l wanted to finish my
new lawn for tomorrow, and then l
had to practice my music lesson"
Joe muttered something under his
breath not very complimentary to
music in general, and some music in
particular, took up his hat, and NOV
ed off toward the barn.
The old man sighed and gazed up
the white, dusty road. Mary went
into the small kitchen and began
preparations for the evening meal, her
cheeks still hot, and her eyes full of
unshed tears.
Outside the vine covered doorway
rose the Kentucky hills that she had
known since childhood. The view
was particularly fine, but Mary was
in no mood to enjoy it.
How cruel they ali are!' she sighed.
"And oh, I'm SO tired of being poor"
Her mother, flushed and weary, now
entered with Il basket upon her arm.
ut gets farther down to the store,
seems to me,h she painted. Mary, |
wish you'd unite my bonnet strings; l
guess they're fast. Oh, me! hain't
you got a fan handy"
Yes, as soon as can get your bon
net off. There, now, here's your fan.
Ny, how hot you are"'
Eyes, | be. / don't seem to stand
the walk as | ought, but I'll soon get
rested. Have father and Joe come in
yet, dear?2
About ten minutes ago. III soon
have supper ready-such us 1t Is. Did
you get the sugar.
1.-TWO pounds. | hadn't money
enough for any more, for father an
Inc have to have our coffee"
| Mary bent over the market basket,
that to her seemed all too lightly
weighted, and somehow that shining
new piano i'll the parlor came before
her minds eyes responsibility.
Joe and his sister ate sparingiy OF
| the few daintieS provided.
"Ain't you hungry" said the old
father regarding his pretty daughter
earnestly, 'or has the new pianey
taken yer appetite? How many tunes
kin yer play!'
Not one correctly answered Mary,
bravely. Il don't seem to learn very
fast; expect I'm too old"
TOO old! Ha. ha! Il girl of twenty
too old to learn to play!'
The red had died out of Mary's face
by this time, and the anger from her
eyes. Joe noticed how sad she looked
with a slight feeling of conjunction.
An hour later, when the men were