Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-11-03
FATEs LEFT-HANpERs.
One of Them Was Delivered 10 the
Willard Family

Willard Family.
Sometimes fate deludes one INFO
thinking there is such a treasure as
justice on earth, hut she generally caps
it by dealing blow more singing than
the first.
At least that is the sentiment of :he
Willard family. The Millards live on
fashionable South side avenue, in
row of quiet. unpretentious houses.
Their residence had always been the
abode of peace and harmony till the
fetal day when the daughter of the
people. next door came from California
for an extended visit Her husband
came also; he wore silk hat rigid,y at
every outdoor appearance, and had a
fondness for frock coats at a. M, but
nevertheless he has nothing 10 do with
The story. The daughter proved to be
musical. The Millards had not known
that the people next door possessed a
piano till the daughter came. and at the
first were rather cheered by the ripple
of the piano keys which generously
penetrated the thin wall. After week
the pianist settled down TO hard work.
Previously she had scrambled through
a varied repoEtoire. but finally decided
on her life work. the Millards assumed,
when they heard Paderewskis "Minuet"
one day from three a. m. TO luncheon
time, and from then till dinner Wag-
ner's "Seigmund's Love Song" The
Millards' brows were slightly CORFU
gated at dinner, but they did not COM
plain. After a few days, however. a
feeling of nervousness, restlessness and
even acerbity of temper made itself
manifest.
II really don't know what ails met"
said Mrs. Willard, fretfully. u am so
irritable"
II can't settle down to anything!"
growled Mr.. Willard. Anne. for Heay-
ems sake, don't touch the piano!"
His daughter jumped at his sharp
ness. 81 thought" She answered, meek
ly. perhaps l could drown it out"
There was 70 need TO explain st" in
the Willard family-affairs had pro-
crossed too far. BY the following Sun
day the Millards We're wrecks mentally
and fast becoming so physically.
1.-The Minuet" had thrilled forth dur
ing the waffles at breakfast and com
tinued brayely till one o'clock.
''She is eating dinner now" muir
INJURED Mr.. Willard, viciously.
perhaps she'll choke on a bone.
suggested Anne. hopefully. But misery
was not to be ligihtened in that fashion.
for punctually at the close of the meal
Wagner was attacked next door
"She doesn't even read the papers,
said Millard. Jr., in something like awe.
cor write letters" put in Mrs. Mil
lard GROSSLY. I'm sure she ought 10 be
writing letters to some one. | don't
know Paderewski, but never hated
anyone so in my life"
That evening Anne Willard quarreled
with her best Young man. Mi.lard. Jr.
went and desperately played poker and
lost his weeks salary and Mr.. and Mrs
Millard's spirits were so low they even
considered divorce.
Next morning at breakfast the Mil
lards' maid rushed in with a beamipo
face and disregard. of careful train
ing. The occasion justified it, "Oh
ma ami" she said 1.-THE cook next door
has just told me than the cold weather
last night spoiled their piano! The pin
block is split"
The Millards fell, on each others
necks jointly and had one joyful hys
terical symposium. forgave everyone
his sins. kissed all around and began &c
I'VE gain. The rest and the silence
.hI ensued were too good to be be
| lieved. They even began making ex.
cuses for the persistent lady next door
There might be some hope for her
probably she didn't know the wall was
thin.
AT the end of the week large van
drew up a t the house next door. On the
van was a brand rev piano With an
extra loud pedal. IT was moyedi in care
fuzzy by three heartless. brawny men,
stationed against the wal in the nlace
occupied by the old one. and-bnt there
are 10 words invented to fit the case Of
the Millards.-Chicago Evening News