Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1900-07-26
A MUSICAL HEART.
BY IDA ESTELLA r. SMITH.

village OF Aylesborough. he was
man of unblemished character, was
known to be very wealthy, and lived
IN an unpretentious manner. He was
a psychist, and his rather peculiar
religious views were the cause of many
heated arguments among those of his
friends whom he considered it his
duty to instruct in the mysteries of
his chosen faith. He fully believed
that when the time should come for
him to ''put on immortality" he would
be received on the next plane by a
host of bright spirits. AS he was
charitable, owed no man aught that
he could not pay, had kept the COM
mandments and had been as nearly as
possible what the world calls al up
right man, he believed that a recep-
tion of unusual grandeur awaited him.
Notwithstanding this assurance, he
seemed to prefer deferring his journey
to the evergreen shore" as long as
possible, for real or imaginary pain
in the region of his heart one day
caused the good man to make rather
hurried visit to physician Of his ac-
quaintance.
LII. LlWcl WIS OlO dLloAS VIC Aioe
of possible converts to his spiritual
istic doctrine, and as Philemon en-
tered his office he Immediately cast
about for an excuse whereby he might,
if possible, avoid the expected lecture.
But there was troubled look on his
old friends face that quite disarmed
him, and few moments later DR.. FL
wells head was pressed against his
side in listening attitude. AS he
listened, instead of hearing the heart
pulsations, as he expected, he heard
music!
He raised his head and looked
about, but could no longer hear it,
Once more he pressed his ear against
Philemon's heart, and once more he
heard the same sweet strain. The
music sounded like the soft tones of
his own piano, as he had heard his
daughter playing before leaving the
house, which stood about 20 yards
distant.
The doctor walked to the door and
listened, but heard no sound. He
looked toward the house, but there
was nothing unusual in that direction.
By the time the thoroughly puzzled
physician had listened, first at the
front, then at the back door of the
Office, alternately pressing his ear
against Philemon side, he had aroused
the old mans curiosity.
anything peculiar about it, doc
tor?'
ga little unusual, surely"
'Unusual?"
81 imagine I hear music"
''Well, doctor, believe there is to
be show in town. 1 suppose they
are having street parade.
The physician hesitated. If he ex-
planned he feared lecture on the SUI
pernatural If he did not explain he
felt that he was deceiving an innocent
man.
Philemon continued, "I hope that
it will not prove serious, though I
suffer considerably at times, and
thought best not to neglect it,
"Y-a-s."
"You seem undecided"
"I-I never had case of this kind
before! think there must be some
mistake, but certainly hear music
l.
heart" he replied, half fearing an ex-
planation of the mystery from his pa
tents standpoint, and preparing to
defend his own belief against all spir-
itualistic delusion.
Philemon was silent. He looked
searchingly into the doctors eyes, half
expecting to see twinkle of merri-
ment, but there was nothing of sthe
kind. Indeed, his honest face wore a
troubled expression quite convincing
to the patient.
Philemon pointed across the street.
81 see DR.. Grey over there. Please
call him."
A.. A moment later DR.. Elwell was ex.
planning to his brother physician the
usual occurrence, and together they
sought an explanation; but to no pur.
pose. DR.. Grey heard music when his
ear rested against Philemon's side, a:
his friend had heard it.
A serious expression rested on TIE
usually happy countenace OF their pa
tient as he prepared to depart. HI
arose, pulled his hat over his eyes
and walked out as feebly as though
AO nou 6iOWh tCh yOo'c oAoOt. DOet
physicians were as puzzled over th'
apparent effect of their communication
as they were as to the origin of th'
sweet strains. Philemon walked dow
the village street like man in
dream. A neighbor spoke socially q
he passed, but the old man did no
hear. He entered his house, mechan
ically drew q chair before the opel
fire, seated himself and rested hi
head in his hands. HIS dog stretche,
himself at his feet, occasionally open
ing one eye to look up at his master
who had failed to speak word of wei
come, and the omission had not passe
unnoticed by the faithful brute.
A half hour passed. Philemo
moved uneasily. and the mastiff's ta
thumped against the floor reassurine
ly. "Amziep'
The dog bounded to his feet with