Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-02-22
: The Mandolin Lesson
by Elizabeth Seal Blakeley.
y UDOLPH OSWALD was considered

ODOLIH OSWALD was CONSIDERED
n the finest mandolin teacher in the
city, so it was not surprising that al
most every moment of the day found
him occupied with young ladies anxious
TO become proficient in the art of bring
ing forth sweet sounds from this fas-
cinating little instrument.
Rudolph was young man possessing
charming manners, but the nervous
gestures of his slender hands plainly
showed their owners highly strung
temperament.
Some of the ladies thought more of
their teacher than of their lessons,
while he cared only for his art.
One afternoon Rudolph was instruct
ing Miss Gertie Bliss, while the sun
came brightly through the large open
window, almost warming into life the
gay roses sprinkled here and there in
the pattern of the carpet. Miss Gertie
was an attentive pupil, and her teacher
was absorbed in watching her progress,
so he did not hear d rap. He arose,
slightly annoyed, when interrupted by
the entrance of an elderly woman, who
closed the door but still held the knob
with a timid air which i'll became her
tall, angular frame and large, plain fea-
lures.
Have a seat, madam" said Rudolph.
offering her a chair and trying to con-
ceal his irritability at having been dis
turbed. The woman thanked him ana
walked across the floor with a heavy
tread, then seated herself on the edge
o. the proffered chair, a swarthy red of
embarrassment showing through her
dark skin.
DO you wish 20 speak with me.
MADAME" inquired Rudolph, his grace
full figure strongly contrasted beside
the womaR's ungainly form.
What do you ask for mandolin les
sons?" she replied.
Miss Gertie looked at her in surprise.
and KuGolph glanced at her large, bony
hands before replying: Thirty dol
.ars for 20 lessons"
so much as that?" she said, quickly,
half Using as if to go, but she change
her mind and seemed lost in some cal
culation; then, raising her faded blue
eyes. she said: "All right; when can
begin ?" with so determined an air 1t
rave her even a more unprepossessing
appearance.
Il am very much engaged at present,
but you may come tomorrow at this
hour, ii that suits YOU"
Rudolph unconsciously betrayed IN
voice and manner a nervous anxiety to
close the interview.
She arose and walked to the door,
which he at once held open. Again the
ugly flush dishgurcd her cOuntenance,
as she nodded good day" ard de-
parted.
Miss Geriie returned TO her mandolin
with an amused expression, which was
rejected in Rudolph's face as lie re-
sumcd tie lesson, but neither of them
mentioned the woman.
The next day she arrived at the ap-
pointed hour, clad in Grcss CT huge
plaid pattern, which was ludicrously
unbccoming and evidently much too
warm. for she wife,! her perspiring face
and neck with handkerchief CT gen
erous size, bordercd with band OF rcd.
"iiayc you ever had any instruction
Before this?" Rudolph inquired.
"What?"
Did you ever take any lessons on the
mandoHn?"
"No, l never did"
when you are seated we will COM
mencc, then" said Rudolph, thinking
to himself: 81 wonder if her complex
ion means gpopleXy or whisky? which
was interrupted by her reply:
u am ready" She arose so hastily
she overturned a chair and then made
dive for it. Rudolph did likewise,
which terminated in their humping
heads. Then the woman took seat
elsewhere, breathing heavily and over
come with modification. This did not
last long, as they were soon deeply en-
gagged with the lesson.
Rudolph had asked her name, and she
had told him that it was Mrs.
Keener." She had also removed from
her bosom an open-faced silver watch
and laid it bcsidc her on the table, CLAN
cling at il from time TO time.
When Rudolph announced flat her
hour was up she looked at herva;eh. as
if to satisfy herself that lie was correct.
then she replaced. il in her BOSOM
Strengthened her old-fashicned bonnet
arose and shcol, oar her skirts gnd BE-
ran a vigorous search among lis 1oicS
for her pocket, which she ultimately
found, and took from it much-worn