Smyrna times., 1899-07-05
MET THE DIFFICULTY
seSHSe
He Smashed the Piano, but
She Smashed His
Heart.


''S''S'S'S'STS5S'G''5'5''
You understand that expect you to
look after my three rooms, sweep and
dust and all that sort of thing?'
"Yes," remarked Mrs. Petersen, Il
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.. Petersen's 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 a moment; then he went into the
empty parlOr and took the large ITO
Let" placard from the front window.
He carried it up to his sitting room. Il
hope it will be a long time before 1
have to see you again." he told it as he
put it 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 a 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 lie wouldn't see much
of him. as Joe was away from home all
fhn fFaaI- FHharo a oh biIHrar1
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. 80 you have got the
PetersenS?" he said after they had
walked a few blocks. We'll. there's
only one thing about them tllat you
won't like
"What is thatY' questioned Mr. Theo-
dore
"Their piano
"Oh. don't mind piano practice as
some do said Mr. Theodore easily.
''In fact, rather like it,
You haven't lived over the Peter
sens yet" said EversOn sententiously
You wait a little. It's an old piano
that came over in the Mayfiower-that
is, if any pianos did come over then
this is one of them. | 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 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 going
about nine hours a day"
Mr.. TheOdOres 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 a new one"
Mr. Theodore walked mOodily along
after his friend left him. Then sud
denly his face frightened Il can fi1
it all right" he said and went on more
briskly.
The next morning there was cOnsid
cradle grumbling from the two mel
who moved the Petersens because Mr.
Theodore Foster insisted ON helping.
He was especially troublesome abOu
the placing of the piano. He insisted
on having it ON the very end of the lOa'
and tied it with his own hands. Whel
the team started, he trotted along be
side it. and they reached the house a
the same time.
1t was a raw morning, and the mel
were putting blankets on the horses
when suddenly there came a janglin
crash. They hurried to the back of tn
wagon and found Mr.. Theodore loOkin
in horror and dismay at a very badl
smashed piano. Its all my fault
was all he managed to say before a tOl
rent Of abuse and curses loud and dee
overwhelmed him.
Mr.. Theodore went and told Mrs. Pc
tersen about the accident, and after
had gone a loud wall arose from tn
three girls, but when the household e1
fects were all moved and the Petersen
themselves went to their new HON
there, in the parlor, was beautiful
brand new piano.
They all stood in the doorway an
stared in amazement.
"Mr. Foster had it sent" Aunt Sara
Petersen explained. She had bee
there attending to that end of the mo-
ing. HE said that as it was due to hi
careIessness that the other was wrecl
ed he should take the liberty of sendin
for this one"
Maud, the oldest girl. went and trie
the instrument. Isn't it beautiful
she cried rapturously.
Time went on, and the girls practice
diligently. Their aunt also took adval
tege Of the chance to play, so that NJ
Theodore had all the music he wante
The Petersens had been there tv
months, when one day Mr.. Theodol