Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-03-15
The Mandolin Lesson
by Elizabeth Seal Blakeley.
n UDOLPH OSWALD was considere

n UDOLPH 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, 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 womaH's ungainly form.
What do you ask for mandolin les
sons?" she replied.
Miss Gertie looked at her in surprise.
and KuColph glanced at her large bony
hands before replying: Thirty dol
Jars for 20 lessons"
so much as that?" she said, quickly,
half rising as if to go, but she change
her mind and seemed lost in some cal
culation; then, raising her faded blue
ewes. she said All right; when can
berin ?" with so determined an air it
rave her even more unprepossessing
appearance.
Il am very much engaged at present,
but you may come tomorrow at TINS
hour, ii that suits YOU"
Rudolph unconsciously betrayed IN
voice and manner nervous anxiety 10
close the interview.
She arose and walked to the door,
which he at once held open. Again the
ugly flush disfgured her countenance,
as she nodded good day ard de-
parted.
Miss Gertie returned to her mandolin
with an amused expression, which was
rejected in Rudolph's face as lie re-
sumcd the 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 ten
warm. for she wife,l hcr rerspiring 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
mandoin?"
no, l never did"
"When you are seated we Will COM
mencc, then" said Rudolph, thinking
to himself: 81 wonder if her complex
ion me2ns gpoplexy or whisky" which
was interrupted by her reply:
Il 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 a seat
elsewhere, breathing heavily and over
come with modification. This did rot
last long. as they were soon deeply en-
gagged with the lesson.
Rudolph had asked her name, and she
bad told him that it was Mrs
Keencr." She had also removed from
her bosom an open-faced silver watch
and laid it beside her on the table, CLAN
cling at il from time to time.
When Rudolph announced HAT her
hour was up she looked at herva;eh. as
toeo+ief,. b~reclf flat lie was correct
then she replaced ii in her bosom
Strengthened her old-fashicned bonnet
arose and shock on her skirts and be-
ran a vigorous search among lis ioics
for her pocket, which she ultimately
found, and took from it much-worn