Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-06-03

the old malady. lie complain cd bitterl,
and declared that he had be N cheate,
by the dealer and would certainly max
things. lively for that person. And b
would have, too, had it not happene,
that one day he went home few hour
earlier than usual.
when got out of the elevator a
our door," he explained at conferenc
that night, Il he ard a succession of tn
most unearthly notes that ever issue,
from piano. Each one unded a
though a brick had been dropped on tn
keys-no time, 10 time, nothing tha
gave the performance claim to even &c
quaintance with music. At brief inter
walls shrill voice sounded forth in mel
ancholy cadence. I surmiscd at one
what was wron.e', and lost 60 time il
entering-to find my fears realized-fo
Wing Song was singing and trying t,
accompany himself on my piano.
wing Song, / said sternly, ..wha
does this mean?'
He smiled ene Of those benevolen
smiles that would have meltod d my hear
at once had not steeled myself agains
it.
'Pianglo pletty hard lie said, g
tly to learn piece to sling at lie mission
Can't play light
81 said: 'Confound it'll You will ruiz
my piano!'
"But he in reply smiled harder, mad,
a sort Of thunderous tremo]o and said
What you mean confound?'
That internal oriental innocence dis
armed me. turned and literally fed
can't reprimand such cr6 ature, ant
yet I am confident that as L ng as tha
man practices his music in this hous'
my life will be cne Of misery
You must not mind his little eccen
; tricities. Brown" " said /, ''to me they
are a constant source Of amusement
But you are selfish. Think how he car
cook. How we'll he keeps everything
How good natured he always is.
agree with you, Jones, said Rob
inson, with a decisive air, keeping
house as we do we cannot be expected
to make life miserable by constantly
reprimanding the servants. He does
very well for our purpose, and I fol
one won't scold him as long as he con
tinues as he has, y
Yet it was Robinson who, in his ca
pacity of general manager, was respon
sible for the crash. Brown had forgotten
hispiapo troubles. had no cause fo1
compliant, but, in fact, had been daily
congratulating myself on the smoothnes!
of life. One day, however, I came home
and happening to peep into the kitche1
found Wing Song seated at his table
his head resting disconsolately on hi
hands.
"Why, Wing Song, what's wrong?
asked, surprised at this unusual de
preston in spirits.
81 glo way tor.ollow, he said, with
out looking up.
The idea that he would leave other
wise than by his own will never occur
red to me, and / was angry. Here hi
was deserting us-leaving Us without
notice and PERHAPS without q chance o1
getting any one to take his place. Tbs:
was ingratitude! I turned ard left hin
without word
And when Robinson and Brown en-
tered together shortly afterward I ra1
to them with the news.
s'Going to leave!'' cried Brown in
dismay.
It seems to rle you mike grea1
deal of fuss about ii, =" said Robinson.
But think Of his ingratitsade, !" ex
claimed
"Well-er-to tell the truth, I dis
charged him!'' said Robinson
Discharged himr' yelled Brown and
I in unison.
"You objected to his piano playing,
Brown"
1T was forgotten. I'd rather by fa1
have him playing my piano than to have
been SO mean as to throw him out OF
the world
Robinson, said hotly, ''you are
a brute-a perfect brutel I thought that
you were better hearted fellow thar
that. You must take him back
''But I can't. I've engaged another
man. He has given up his place and
will be here tomorrow. It occurred tt
me yesterday to lcok into our supply o1
china, and, do you know, found it re
duced to cne- third One-third was gone
entirely, and the other was fastened to
gether with glue-with glue! Just thinl
of it. l asked Wing Song how it was
done, and he did Tot know, and in fl
of rage I fired him. And then Browns
piano had deal to do''-
"NonseDse!" cried Brown. II never
dreamed of your dischargirg him fol
such little thing. And china! Why,
all servants smash china. :"
~ will never cease feeling that We
have Gure ;hat Esn an injustice. You
must take him L.tk!' exclaimed.
Robinson sat i'll moody silence for 9
time, and then in an apologetic tone
said:
s"To tell the truth, have felt very
badly about this all day. I was mad
when d;a it, and perhaps acted little
hastily, Int I never dreamed you two
would carry On like this. In fact, the
reason did not consult you was that
wished to save yon worry. 1t is too late,
though. I can't go back on tnat othe1
man. Iwon't mend one injustice by
another /"
That settled it. There was no remedy
nor was there peace for us that night
Brown and pleaded with Robinson 10
hours, but 1t was in vain.
81 feel as if had shot faithiu
dog,'' he said, 'sbut he is dead. LIE
him rest
Our discomfort was added to by tn
extra excellence of the breakfast tn
faithful dog gave us next day. Every
thing we most liked we had, and ever.
| bite choked us. We went through tn
meal in moody silence, and adJourne'
to our papers before going down town
A half hour passed and Wing Song en-
tered the room. In one hand he carrle'
a huge battered valise and all umbrella
in the other a large paper box. II
placed his bundles on the floor, and, re
moving his black shovel hat, advance
solemnly toward us.
st say goodby, - he said, holding ou
| one yellow hand to me.
81 am very sorry you are going
replied. / t1ied to appear Indifferent
! Init fo1t that made bad work Of it.