The Somerset reporter., 1899-06-15

NAdohs htJ nun lCa ~ tIE DuNh VI ihC
wagon and found Mr. Theodore looking
in horror and dismay at very badly
smashed piano. ITS all my fault
was all he managed to say before a tor
rent of abuse and curses loud and deep
overwhelmed him.
Mr.. Theodore went and told Mrs. Pc
tersen about the accident, and after he
had gone a loud wall arose from the
three girls, but when the household eff
fects were all moved and the Petersens
themselves went to their new home
there, in the parlor, was a beautiful,
brand new piano.
They all stood in the doorway and
stared IN amaZement.
Mr. Foster had it sent" Aunt Sarah
Petersen explained. She had been
there attending TO that end of the NOV
ing HE said that as 1t was due to his
carelessness that the other WAS wreck
ed he should take the liberty of sending
for this one"
Maud, the oldest girl went and tried
the instrument r3sn't it beautiful
she cried rapturously.
Time went on, aud the girls practiced
diligently Their aunt also took advan-
tage of the chance to play, so that Mr.
Theodore had all the music be wanted
The Petersens had been there two
months. when one day Mr. Theodore
asked Maud to go with him to the plan,
rooms.
Il want you to try them all, he said,
{ /
than the one at home
Maud tried them. No" she declar
ed, there isn't one SO nice"
Are Isabel and Katherine satisfied
with it,
"Why, yes. indeed they are"
by the way, won't you play that
new waltz for me-
She seated herself at the nearest in
strument and began to play. When
She had finished she looked around
but Mr. Theodore was not beside her
as she had supposed Instead she SAW
him at the far end of the room, coming
tow ard her with piece of paper in his
hand When he reached her, he passed
her the paper. "A birthday present.
my dear. | believe it is your birthday
today
Maud looked at the paper blankly.
Then it dawned upon her that it was Il
bill of sale of the piano at home, made
out il: her name
Maud never would tell her sisters
what she did at that moment, but
when she came home and told them
about it they all declared that Mr.
Theodore was "a dear"
"Dou't you think it would be better
for you to go out of doors more Miss
SARAH Mr.. Theodore asked her one
day. Il would be greatly honored if
you would accompany me on my daily
walks. 1t is rather tedious going
alone"
And so it became the custom for the
old bachelor and the maiden aunt to
walk out every day together.
But after year of this Miss Sarah
told him one day that she was going
away for a six months visit.
Mr.. Theodore was filled with conster
nation at this and begged her to recon
slider. He pleaded so earnestly and
eloquently that she finally promised 10
stay away only two weeks and when
she came back to set the day"
That was the longest walk they had
taken, and toward the end of il Mr.
Theodore said: My dear, there is
something | have wanted to tell you
ever since | have known you. 1t is
about the piano"
81 don't think you will have to tell
me now" she said. Il have known it
all the time. | saw you do it,
Saw me do 1t? Do what?'
"Cut the rope
He stood still and looked at her.
Il was at the window. | had come
over to see to things, you know, and
| saw you take out your knife, step up
to the hub of the wheel and cut the
rope"
"And you never told!
NO"
"Why not
"You see" she said confusedly. her
color rising. lit flashed upon me at
once what you did it for-that old pi-
ano. it was an instrument Of torture,-
and that WIS the beginning of the-of
the end, think."
He tried TO look in her ayerted face.
Il don't understand what you mean by
the end"
She turned a radiant glance upon
him. "Why, lon't you see-today1
Chicago Record.