The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-30
THE PETERSENS' PIANO.

''You understand that I expect you to
look after my three rooms, sweep and
dust and all that sort of thing?"
Yes" remarked Mrs. Petersen, 81 UNI
derstand. The rooms suit me perfectly"
she went on as they passed downstairs
again. land 1 shall begin to pack up to-
morrow. 1t will be so nice 10 be able to
turn around and not be always running
into everybody And now that Mr.. Peter
sens sister is living with us Well,
good day The things will begin to come
by day after tomorrow. Good day"
Theodore Foster stood looking after her
a moment, then he went into the empty
parlor and took the large TO Let" pla-
card from the front window. He carried
1T up to his sitting room. IT hope it will
be long time before I have to see you
again." he told it as he put it in his
desk.
1t was the first time for 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 suit
able one. Ii had been horribly lonesome,
coming home at night to a cold echoing
house. But now he would have the Pc
tersens there, and he looked forward to
day after to- morrow 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 was
the children too. He was fond of chill
dren, even if he was an old bachelor Then
he remembered that the children must be
orr nv
young people were almost as good as
children
1t was the next day, while he was out
taking his constitutional, that Everson
saw him and crossed the street 10 speak to
him. 80 you have got the Petersens?''
he said after they had walked a few
blocks. ''Well, there's only one thing about
them that you won't like"
what is that?'' questioned Mr.. Theo-
dore.
Their plano"
"Oh don't mind piano practice as some
do" said Mr.. Theodore easily. I'm fact.
rather like it."
You haven't lived over the Petersens
yet" said Everson sententiously. You
wait little. It's an old piano that came
over in the Mayfiower-that is, if any pia-
nos 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 ii all the time. In vacation it's
something awful. There are three girls
that take lessons, and they are bound to
be players, so they keep the old thing 60
ing about nine hours day"
Mr.. Theodore's face had heightened dur
ing this description. what makes them
keep such an old trap" he asked.
'Wen, you see, they're kind of poor and
can't afford a new one"
Mr.. Theodore walked modify along after
his friend left him. Then suddenly his
face frightened 81 can fix il all right. -
he said. and went on more briskly
The next morning there was considerable
grumbiing from the two men who moved
the Petersens. because Mr.. Theodore Eos
| ter insisted on helping.
! Ee was especially troublesome about the
placing of the piano. He insisted on hav-
ing il on the very end OF the load, and
tied II with his own hands. When the
team started. he trotted along beside It.
and they reached the house at the same
time
IL was raw morning and the men were
putting blankets on the horses when sud
denly there came a jangling clash. They
hurried to the back OF the wagon and
I found Mr.. Theodore looking in horror and
dismav az a very badly smashed piano.
res an my fault" was all he managed
to say before a torrent of abuse. and
/ curses loud ana deep. overwhelmed him.
Mr.. Theodore went and told Mrs Peter
sen about the accident. and after he had
I zone a loud wall arose from the three
I girls But when the household effect
I were an moved and the Pefersens them
I selves went 10 their new home. there. In
the parior. was a beautiful, brand new
piano.
They eli stood IN the doorway ana stared
] in amaEemert.
.Mr Foster had II sent" Aunt Sarah
Petersen explained She had been there
attending 10 that end 81 the moving "He
4 sald fhaf as if was due 10 hiss carelessnesH
fhat fhe other was wrecked be- Shouts
cake fhe Tner'y ~ sending for fhiF one
Maud tht oldest giFl went and tried fhe
INSTRUMENT ~fanf a. beautiful" che cried
rnprur0lf.y
Tims went and fhs Girls pHaefloed oil
gently Thea aurf aiao fook adVnrfaRe
7 ~ 600 chance - piaf ~ faat Mr. Theo-
aorf hoo an f1e music be- wanted
Tof fffrffers had sofu there fao
moufns when ouf day ~ p headaTf asfrf
snad AZ ~ sGfa hiis io fle plane fQonH
y Hnpi 5pa ~ NJ fbetu Az, he SAD.