The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-08-25

Vdl itSiiI- LIS StBSlllullUuIl, luul NV
erson saw him and crossed the street
TO speak to him. 80 you have got the
Peterscns" he said after they had
walked 4 few blocks. Well, there's
only one thing about them that you
won't like"
What is that" questioned Mr.. Theo-
dore.
Their piano"
"Oh, don't mind piano practice as
some do said Mr.. Theodore easily.
"ln fact, l rather like it."
"lou haven't lived over the Peter
sens yet said Everson sentcntiouslv,
You wait a little. It's an old piauo
that came over in the Mayt1ower-that
Is. II any pianos sid come over then
inns Is II or them. | could get more
music out of brass kettles and tin pans.
Its all out Of tune. too. and, worst of
all, t@ey keep banging away on it 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 coins
about nine hours Il day"
Mr.. T~hcoaorc's face had heightened
during this description. "What makes
them keep S''rH an old trap?' he asked.
"Ncll. yuU 500, they're kind of door,
and they cant afford 4 new one"
Mr.. Theodore walked modify along
after his friend left him. Then sud
denly his face frightened. Il can fix
1t all right" he said and went on more
briSkly.
The ncXt morning there was consid-
cradle grumbling from the two men
who moved the PetcrsenS 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 1t with his W hands. When
the team started. he trotted along be-
side 1t, and they reached the house ut
the same time.
1t was 4 raw morning, and the men
were putting blankets on the horses.
when suddenly there came n jnngling
crash. They hurried to the back of the
wagon and found Mr.. Theodore looking
in horror and dismay Mt n 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.
tcr>cn about the accident, and after he
had gone n loud wall arose from the
three girls, but when the household eff
fcctS were all moved and the Pcterscns
themselves went to their new home
thnrn In rho INnIsInfs Woo a hon, ,ffcJl
brand new piano.
They all stood in the doorway and
stared in Amusement.
Nh. Foster had it sent Aunt Sarah
Petersen explained. She had been
there attending to that end of the NOV
Ing. 'llc said that as it was due to his
carclcSsncSs that the other was wreck
ed he should take the liberty of sending
for this one"
Maud, the Oldest girl. went and tried
tic instrument. "Isn't it bcautiful!"
she cried rapturously.
Time went on, and the girls pructiccd
diligently. Their aunt also took advan-
tagc Of the chance to play, SO that MI.
Theodore had all the music he wanted.
The retersens had been there two
months, when one day Mr.. Theodore
asked Maud to go with him to the piano
rooms.
IL want you to try them ALL" he said,
land see if there is II you like better
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 meT
She seated herself at the nearest in
strUmcnt and began to play. When
she had finished, she looked around,
but Mr.. Theodore was not beside her,
rs She had supposed. Instead she saw
him at the far end of the room, coming
toward her with a 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 1t dawncl upon her that it was a
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 a "a dear"
Don't you think it would be better
TO" you to go out Of doors more, Miss
Sarah" Mr.. Theodore asked her one
day. 81 would be greatly honorcd 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 Il year Of this Miss Sarah
told him one day that she was going
away for n six months visit.
Mr.. Theodore was filled with cOnstcr.
nation at this and begged her to recon.
slider. He pleaded so carncstI, and
eio1uent'y that she finally promised to
stay away only two weeks and when
she came back to "sct 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"
II don't think you will have to tell
me now she said. 81 have known il
all the time. saw you do it."
"%aw me do it? DO what?'
"Cut the rope"
lie stood still and looked at her.
Il was at the window. | had come
over to see to things, you know, and
saw yon take out your knife, step I'D
TO the hub Of the wheel and cut tho