Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-01-12

In 1898. a man named Tappan moved
with his family from New York to the
remote west. He had failed in busi-
ness; was broken in spirit; his chill
dren, he thought, needed fresh air; so
he accepted as gift from his brother
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
more frequent he enlarged his house
and put up an innheeper's sign
Not long after this party of young
men, eight or ten in number, well
mounted, were returning by a round
about way from an eleetioneering eX-
pedition. Toward the middle OF the
afternoon they reined up before Tap
pans door, pretty we'll under the in
fuence of various kinds of fiery fluid,
and, having dismounted and secured
their horses, they entered the house
and noisily demanded whiskey.
1t 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. OF this fact
the visitors were informed by the cid
est daughter, a handsome, intelligent
girl of IS.
But the riotously inclined invaders
still demanded whiskey, and when they
had become assured that they could not
have it 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
rush for the woodpile, cursing as they
went, while the leader of the gang,
young man who would have been de-
cidedly handsome If he had been him.
self, with others OF his companions
took a notion to overhaul the house,
insisting that there must be "a drop of
something" somewhere.
In small, well furnished apartment,
apart from the guests room, was found
pianoforte.
'Hello." cried the leader, who plays
on this? Can you?"
1T is mine, sir" answered the girl
thus addressed.
And you can play?"
Eyes, sir"
Can you sing?"
Il sing sometimes, SIR"
VIII you play and sing for us?"
She opened the piano, 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 a
piano before, and not one of them had
ever heard sweeter music After a
pause at the concluaion of a piece, the
leader spoke again, Lut in a strangely
subdued tone:
will you sing for lis another song?"
And she played and sang THE Old
House."
Other songs were sung. Their SYM
pathies were aroused, their hearts
opened and the best part of their ma
lures brought to the surface, and when
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 a monarch.
A year after this event MIR. Tappan
CHANGED to be in Jacksonville on busi-
ness, where he was introduced to Philip
st. Clair, rising young lawyer of the
place.
"Is-this the Mr.. Tappan who year
ago kept public house on the Cloud
Hill road?" asked St. Clair.
"The same, SIR
And l. sir" pursued the lawyer,
was the leader of that party of riotous
men who so shamefully frightened your
daughters. l suppose they told you of
the circumstances"
Yes, sir"
well, Mr.. Tappan, from that day I
have not touched intoxicating drink.
would like 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 l sufficiently thank heaven
for the providence that led me within
your saving influence in that dark hour
of my life"
Water Dearcr Thap Champagne.
Sneaking at a Meeting of the London