The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1898-12-14
HELD IN CHECK.

In 1888 man named Tappan moved
with his family from New York to the
remote west. He had failed in bust
ness, was broken in spirit: his chill
dren, he thought, needed fresh air; so
he accepted as gift from his brother a
large tract of land upon the edge of the
Wilderness and settled thereon.
Very soon enterprising people began
to settle beyond him, and there came
to be much travel past his door; and.
as an act of humanity. he frequently
entertained wayfarers. As these calls
upon his hospitality became more and
moro frequent he enlarged his house
and put up an innkSeper's sign.
Not long after this n party of young
men, eight or ton In number, we'll
mounted, We're returning by a round
about way from an eleetioneering eX-
petition. Toward the middle of the
afternoon they refined up before Tap
pans door, pretty we'll under the in
huenee of various kinds OF fiery fluid.
and having dismounted and secured
their horses, they entered the house
and nolsily demanded whiskey
II SO happened that Mr.. Tappan and
his wife were both away, and only his
daughters were in charge; and it also
happened that the host had never kept
any liquors In the house. or this fact
the visitors were informed by the eld-
est daughter, a handsome, intelligent
girl of Is.
But the rlotously inclined invaders
still demanded whiskey. and when they
had become assured that they could not
have 1t they resolved that they would
cut down the sign before the door, and
the leader SO informed the young lady.
Three or four of the party made a
rush for the woodple, cursing as they
went, while the leader of the gang, a
young man who would have been de-
cldedly handsome If he had been him
self. with others of his companions
| took Il notion to overhaul the house,
insisting that there must be "a drop of
something somewhere.
In small. we'll furnished apartment,
apart from the guests room. was found
a planoforte.
"Iielloi" cried the leader. who plays
ON this? Can your"
ut Is mine. SIR" answered the girl
thus addressed
And you can play?'
Yes, sir"
Can you sing?"
II sing sometimes. sir"
will you play and sing for u.s."
She opened the plano, and sat down,
and played and sang. Her voice was
clear, musical and rich, and the ac-
compartment was played with skill and
grace
Some of them had never heard
piano before, and not one of them had
ever heard sweeter music. After
pause at the conclusion of piece, the
leader spoke again, but In strangely
subdued tone;
"Wlll you sing for us another song?"
And she played and sang THE Old
rIUusu.
other songs were sung. Their SYM
pathles were aroused, their hearts
opened and tho best part Of their ma
lures brought to the surface, and when
they had taxed the fair songstress so
far that they felt ashamed to tax her
more, they thanked her and withdrew
with as much decorum as might have
been exhibited had they been retiring
from before the throne of monarch.
A year after this event Mr.. Tappan
CHANGED to be in Jacksonville on bust
ness where he was introduced to Philip
st. Clair rising young lawyer of the
place.
Us this the Mr.. Tappan who year
ago kept a public house on the Cloud
HIl road?' asked st. Clair.
"The same. SIR"
And |, sir" pursued the lawyer.
was the leader of that party of riotous
men who so shamefuly frightened your
daughters. | suppose they told you OF
the circumstances"
Yes, sir"
We'll, Mr. Tappan. from that day
have not touched intoxicating drink.
would Ike to see your eldest daughter
and tell her of the blessing her music
bestowed upon me"
st. Clair once more visited the way
side inn, the result of which was that
in less than another year the sweet
songstress had become his wife.
MY angel" he said, clasping her to
his bosom when she was his own,
never can | sufficiently thank heaven
for the providence that led me within
your saving influence In that dark hour
OF my life. !"