The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-02-25
Stories Of an inland State.

when he suddenly covered his eyes with MS
slender white hands, as suddenly uncoverec
them again. gasped. arose quickly, sat
down again and then pinched his nose in
way hen have OF ccrcealing and forcing
back tears.
What he knew would happen some day.
had happened at last. Up the stairs TO the
rooms of Professor Castillo Rego glided
Clara Drew his former pupil, the woman
ne loved, the woman who had tried to coax
him into a proposal of marriage and whom
he had me. SO obstipately because he was
o man music tese her and the town would
not allow him TO marry her.
He had feared that some day he would
see her going TO that hated professor. CAL
louslrg himself for the day, still his antici-
pations did not save him, for. when he
really say ncr mount the steps, his heart
gave way.
Would the fat professor scold and abuse
her, too, as he dii all his pupils? The blood
mantled in the white cheek of the man
He fanc.ed he would strike the william dead
If he cared such a thing. But If he did ?
How would he know? Could he crawl up
the steps ana listen? No.
How then? Clara herself would come to
him for protection. She would disregard
her parents, the Whole world, and come to
him with ner troubles. And he would walk
over to the studio of the professor and say:
Sir. A minute with you. You have insult
ed my friend, Miss Drew. l give you fair
warning. Defend yourself?
Burr then rose to his feet and struck
wildly into the air before him, again and
again. He then stamped upon an invisible
bulky form on the carpet and strobe
haughtily away.
He had put the professor down and out
and had avenged Clara. Nursing the fancy
fondly, he took a little of his money and
bought a pair of boxing gloves and a bag.
This was heralded all over the town and
was met with a general guffaw. 1t was
even carried to professor Castillo Rego who
took the report indifferently.
The town knew that Algernon Burr was
busted" that ne no longer had a single
pupil; that he had mortgaged his piano:
that he was perhaps starving to death
and ell on account of the new musical god
who had sprung up beside him. The boxing
gloves we're an indication of revenge and
the idea of revenge from the frail form and
simple mind of Algernon Burr had in it a
mighty good joke. So the community
laughed Burr had all his time to himself.
room and punched IT viciously. Mrs. Tilford
the janitress, bouncing in upon him one
day said:
Law me, Mr.. Burr What are you
doing? Prize-fighting? Well, 1 declare.
Go believe your minds affected
Burr turned his hollow eyes upon her
and said he was taking little exercise.
''It must give you a powerful appetizer"
suggested Mrs. Tilford, meaning more than
her words implied.
Yes" he said. at sharpens it,
Mrs Tilford In the hall, later, said: Hes
starving to death. I've watched him and
he hasn't had but sandwich in two days.
But I'm afraid to tell him so and offer him
something He's so cussed proud
McGraw, the Irishman, coming into the
room a day later, viewed the bag with
alarm.
I'D quit that" he said looking at the
wan, thin face before him. Its too much
like work.
The painting man kept striking at the
bag.
See here" said McGraw to himself
THAT poor fellows about gone. Why, he's
starving. 1 can see that. 1 would get him
something 10 eat but he wouldn't let me.
I'll try, anyway
Mr. Burr" McGraw went on. You've
entertained me a bit on that piano. Now
let me reciprocate. Come down to the res
taurant and let me give you a spread in re-
turn. I know you've just eaten something,
Of course, but come and have another Just
to please me-
II thank you very much, Mr.. McGraw,"
Burr answered. But I'm so busy here and
l enjoy it so much. IL
He coughed violently
81 am not in shape TO eat anything" he
continued. You see my stomach ais me
a ibt. Some other day, McGaw."
McGraw went out. He was sorely
troubled. Some other. day would never
come. He met Mrs. Tilford.
Mrs. Tilford," he said. We've had our
differences. You've called me names. But
here-here's Burr starving"
81 know IT, said Mrs. Tilford. But he
won't take anything from nobody. They're
down here row for his piano"
McGraw gasped. eth kill him-kill him
dead-'
I'm afraid, too. Do you suppose he'll
fight emp
st. Patrick. That's what he's practicing
up for?"
MAY be. It's awful"
FoIr men came up the stairs.
Heaven aliver' said Mrs. Tilford. HE
couldn't fight them
Hell try though" said McGraw. "You
just watch. His brains leary. He's got the
fever from not eating"
"Oh, it's awfulr' cried Mrs. Tilford.
You're a man, McGraw. Can't you think
of nothing?"
NO. It's got to be done"
McGraw accosted the first Of the four
draymen
'Burr's crazy" he said.
'T always suspected that" said the man.
mo. But he's starving-got the fever
bright-eyed-and he's got boxing gloves
ard a bag and he thinks he can fight. He'll
fight you"
The man laughed.
Eyes he WILL" said McGraw. Now when
he does, you just take him up and shake
him, kind Of. Don't hit him! Please don't
hit him.
Please don't hit him." echoed Mrs. Til
ford.
The man promised. He must have been
touched. fer he said rather kindly:
Mr.. Burr. we've come for the piano"
Burr straightened. His eyes were already
afre. His cheeks were already pale. So
gently tha. those present did not notice II
he stepped TO the piano and placed his
hand upon il.
The four r,en, Mrs. T;lford and McGraw
were now IN tire room. bare from drafts
made upon Il by the pawnshop.
Well said the piano mover.
81 can play once?" asked Burr so meek
Is that Mrs. Tilford SMILED.
Go ahead" said the man. ut amt
mine"
Burr sat down and played. What he play
ell. TO one present knew, perhaps not the
player himself. Il was sad. infinitely sad.
and despairing. Mrs. Tilford wept gently
and seeing her the piano mover. suppress