Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-02-26
THE MUSICAL MAN.

ILL MUNlUAu MAINr
q: ]. . .: ; J = !" !" J: ; ; : :
~ ~ ONDAY morning in
~ "a Bedstone street. The
2 " NJ ~ boarders were all in.
- IS II clined to be cross on
8hIEcY Monday mornings
0MF - that was perhaps in
N b e separable from the
wv ~ weaknesses of human
ity. The wash boiler was big and the
stove was little-that was perhaps the
reason that the coffee was cold and the
chops underdone. The one servant
was oyerworked-that was doubtless
the reason that so many extra tolls
came upon Mrs. Moody's slender
shoulders of a Monday. But when
the breakfast, with its endless criti-
cisms and perpetual fault findings, had
come to an end, Mrs. Moody carried a
little tray into Major Peck's room.
The major was little lame and a
good deal hypochondrical, and always
breakfasted in his own room. He was
particular, and consequently occupied
the best room in the house.
The major was tall, fine looking
man, with an imposing presence, a
good deal of bald forehead. and a great
aptitude of Scripture quotations, and
all the nelghbors said what comfort
it must be to Mrs. Moody to have such
a boarder.
They did not know that the major
was sort of distant cousin of deceased
Mr.. Moody, and did not consider it
necessary to pay his board very regu-
larly on that account. But he gave
her q good deal of excellent advice,
and was always ready to tell her when
there was anything wrong about the
table.
$50 kind of him to take such an in
terest in me !" said the little widow.
fervently.
The major had brushed the two
wisps of hair crosswise over the peak
of his bald head this morning, COL
ogned his pocket handkerchief, and
trimmed his filbert.shaped finger-nails
to perfection, and he was waiting in
the big easy chair for his breakfast
full five minutes before it arrived.
esYou're late this morning, Mrs.
Moody" he observed, reproachfully.
ttI am little late," apologetically
confessed Mrs. Moody. "But Sarah
Jane was behind hand. There's o
regular Scotch mist in the air, and
the kitchen chimney would not draw.
Try q nice boiled egg, major. And the
rasher of bacon is good, know, for I
cooked it myself" s"
'.E[umphl humph!" said the major.
"You ought to be little particular
with your breakfasts, Mrs. Moody.
They ale the initial meal OF the day,
you know. I don't think this coffee is
as good as usual. 1t isn't real Java,
Mrs. Moody. 1t tastes like Maracai-
bo."
81 paid Java price for it, "said Mrs.
Moody, meekIy; Sand the grocer
warranted it."
"You never can depend upon what
these tradespeople say" grunted the
major, with his mouth full of egg and
bacon. "By the way, is it ..possible
Mrs. Moody, that you have taken that
opera man into your third story hall
bed room? I heard it, but I couldn't
bring my mind to belive it"
"He isn't singer, major" pleaded
trembling Mrs. Moody. ''And he
doesn't play the flute or the cornet.
I took particular pains to inquire
about that. He's engaged IN writing
musical book-something which is
to be quite wonderful-and in the
meantime he supports himself by
playing the third violin in the variety
theatre; for ne is very poor and"
'Poorl" snorted the major, setting
down the cup of despised Maracaibo.
SIN your circumstances, Mrs. Moody,
you've no business taking poor board
ers."
eyes, I know it, major, but he has
just been sick, and he looks SO pale
and wretched-"
"There it is again!" cried Major
Peck. ga woman is so easily taken
in. tell you, Mrs. Moody, the man
is an impositor, and SO you'll find it. :"
''Dear, dear |" said Mrs. Moody, the
startled tears coming into her faded
blue eyes.
"And if you will not take my ad-
vice." said the major, waxing momen-
tarily more irritable, "you must e1-
pect to abide the consequences. This
toast is charred-- absolutely burned to
crisp. Take it away, Mrs. Moody
take it away My breakfast is
spoiled"
stBut what am to do about the new
boarder?" said Mrs. Moody, despair
ingly.
"Do9" shouted the major. "Turn
him out of doors! That's the only
thing to do. Take away this toast, 1
say! It's aperfect outrage on civiliza-
tion!"
TO Mrs. Moody the majors dictum
was beyond appeal; and after she had
had her usual morning alteration with
the butcher, she crept timidly up to
the third-story hall bedroom, to in
terview the musical man.
Mr.. Morton was writing on the cor
ner of his wash-stGnd, with his shabby
great-coat on, and pocket handker-
chief tied around his neck. His pale.
grave countenance softened the land.
lsdy's heart at once as he courteously
rose up and bowed.
"You have come for the weeks
board in advance" said he. "Pardon
me, but our manager never pays until
Saturday night. 1t is not pleasant to
confess ones poverty, but"
"Oh, never mind !" said Mrs. Moody