The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-22
A AOU UNDERSTAND that | ex-
III pect YOU to look after my
~ three rooms, sweep and dust

|
| three rooms, sweep and dust
| and all that sort of thinC?"
Yes" remarked Mrs. Peterson 81
understand. The rooms suit me per-
| fectly," she went on as they passed
down stairs again. land | shall begin
to pack tomorrow. 1t will be so nice
| to turn around and not always be run
ming into everybody. And now Mr..
Peterson's 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 =. moment: then he went into the
empty parlor and took the large TO
Iet' piaycard from the front window
He carried it up to his sitting room
Il hope it will be long time before
have to see you again." he told il
rs he put it in his desk.
lt 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
Il suitable one. 1t had been horribly
lonesome coming home at night to a
cold. echong house. But now he would
have the Petersons there. and he
looked forward to day after to-mor-
row with Joy. He used to know Joe
Peterson but he supposed he wouldn't
see much of him, as Joe was away
from home all the week. There We're
the children, too. He was fond of
children, even if he was an old bach
elr Then he remembered that the
children must be nearly grown up bv
this time. Well, young people We're
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 to speak to him. 80 you have
got the Petersons?" he said after they
had walked Il few blocks. We'll,
there's only one thing about them that
you won like"
What is that?" questioned Mr..
Theodore.
Their piano"
"Oh, I don't mind piano practice as
some do said Mr.. Theodore easily. IN
tact, | rather like it,"
You haven't lived over the Peter
ms yet" said Everson sententiously.
Ven wait a little. It's an old piano
that came over in the NIayiower-that
is. If any pianos did come over then
this is one of them. | could get more
music out of brass kettle 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 playing, 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"
Nh Theodore walked moodily along
after his friend left him. Then sudden
ly his face frightened. II can fix it all
right" he said and went on more
brskly.
The next morning there was consid-
cradle srumbling from the two men
who moved the Petersens because Mr..
Theodore Foster insisted on helping.
lie 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 beside it, and they reached the
house at the same time.
1t was raw morning, and the men
We're putting blankets on the horses.
when suddenly there came a jangling
crash. They hurried to the back of the
wagon and found Mr.. Theodore looking
in horror and dismay at a very badly
smashed piano. ITS all my fault"
was all he managed to say before a
torrent of abuse and curses loud and
deep overwhelmed him.
Mr.. Theodore went and told Mrs.
Petersen about the accident. and after
he had gone loud wall arose from the
three girls, but when the household ef-
fects were moved and the Petersens