The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-06-20
MET THE DIFFICULTY
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He Smashed the Piano, but
She Smashed His
Heart.
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You understand that expect you to
look after my three rooms, sweep and
dust and all that sort of thingY'
YES" remarked Mrs. Petersen, 81
understand. The rooms suit me per-
fectly," she went on as they passed
down stairs again, land shall begin
to pack up tomorrow 1t will be so
nice to be able to turn around and not
be always running into everybody. And
now that Mr.. Petersens sister is living
with US Well, good day. The things
will begin to come by day after tomor-
row. Good day"
Theodore Foster stood looking after
her moment; then he went into the
empty parlor and took the large ITO
Lett placard from the front window.
He carried it up to his sitting room. II
hope it will be a long time before 1
have to see you again." he told it as he
put 1t in his desk.
1t was the first time for a month that
he had felt really happy. During that
time he had tried to get tenant for
his house, but had been unable to find
a suitable one. 1t had been horribly
lonesome coming home at night to a
Geld, echoing house. But now he would
have the Petersens there, and he look
ed forward to day after tomorrow with
joy. He used to know Joe Petersen,
but he supposed he wouldn't see much
of him, as Joe was away from home all
the week. There were the children too.
He was fond of children, even If he
was an old bachelor. Then he remem-
bered that the children must be nearly
grown up by this time. Well, young
people were almost as good as children.
1t was the next day, while he was
out taking his constitutional, that Ev-
erson saw him and crossed the street
to speak to him. $50 you have got the
PetersensT he said after they had
walked few blocks. well, there's
only one thing about them that you
won't like"
what is thatT questioned Mr.. Theo-
dore.
"Their piano.
ooh, don't mind plano practice as
some do" said Mr.. Theodore easily.
In fact, l rather like It."
you haven't lived over the Peter
sens yet" said Everson sententlously.
you wait little. It's an old piano
that came over in the Mayfower-tha
is, if any pianos did come over then
this Is one of them. l could get more
music out of brass kettles and tin pans.
It's all out of tune, too, and, worst of
all, they keep banging away on 1t all
the time. In vacation it's something
awful. There are three girls that take
lessons, and they are bound to be play
ing, SO they keep the old thing going
about nine hours day"
Mr.. Theodore's face had heightened
during this description. What makes
them keep such an old trap?" he asked.
well, you see, they're kind Of poor,
and they can't afford new one"
Mr.. Theodore walked moodily along
denly his face frightened. Il can fix
1t all right" he said and went on more
briskly.
The next morning there was consid-
cradle grumbling from the two men
who moved the Petersens because Mr..
Theodore Foster insisted on helping.
He was especially troublesome about
the placing of the piano. He insisted
on having it on the very end of the load
and tied it with his own hands. When
the team started, he trotted along be-
side it, and.they reached the house at
the same time.
1t was a raw morning, and the men
were putting blankets on the horses,
when suddenly there came jangling
wagon and found Mr.. Theodore looking
in horror and dismay at very badly
smashed plano. "It's all my fault
was all he managed to say before 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 ef-
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 it 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. Isn't 1t beautiful"
she cried rapturously.
Time went on, and the girls practiced
diligently. Their aunt also took advan-
tage of the chance to play, so that Mr..
Theodore had all the music he wanted.
The Petersens had been there two
months, when one day Mr.. Theodore
asked Maud to go with him to the piano
rooms.
81 want you to try them he said,
"and see If there is one you better
than the one at home"
Maud tried them. mo-" she declar
ed, there isn't one so nice"
"Are Isabel and Katherine satisfied
with tip
why, yes, indeed they are"
"By the way, won't you play that
new waltz for meY
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
toward her with piece of paper in his
hand. When he reached her, he passed
her the paper. "a birthday present,
my dear. believe 1t is your birthday
today"
Maud looked at the paper blankly.
Then 1t dawned upon her that 1t was a
bill of sale of the plano at home, made
out in 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"
Don't you think 1t would be better
for you to go out Of doors more, Miss
Sarah?" Mr.. Theodore asked her one
day. 81 would be greatly honored II
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 six months visit.
Mr.. Theodore was filed with .conster;