The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-11-20
A PIANO THAT LAUGHED.
BY CLAUDIA MAY FERRIN.
= O one could play upon it-that
is, no one whose nerves
Il were very sensitive OF whose

II 70 one could play upon it-tha'
- ~ is, no one whose nerves
VI We're very sensitive OF whose
horrors Of the uncanny or the
inexplicable We're in the ascendancy
: A magnificent piece of workmanship
it was, to be sure, famous since its
completion for its sweet tone and its
wide compass of expression. Yet II
stood there in Mr. Briggs's parlor ready
to indulge in mocking laughter at who
soeYer should dare to seek its music.
The laughter in itself was sufficient
to unnerve even the most courageous
seoffer at the possibilities of ghostdom
1t was harsh, grating ''Ha, ha, har'-
such as a merrymaking bedlam will
give vent to, and with as little occa'
sion for utterance. The longer any
one played the louder the laughter be-
came, until even the boldest would
clasp his hands to his ears and arise
in nervous haste. Another strange
thing was that it did not begin until
the performer touched the note G, con-
tinuing until he ceased playing,
whether that note was sounded again
or not. 1t stopped as soon rs the
last echo died away, which caused
more than one to gaze back at the
instrument in shame-faced confusion.
.sWhat shall we do with it?'' said
{ Mrs. Briggs, helplessly, after final
effort to play upon it without needing
its ridicule.
"sell it, replied her husband
promptly.
..No. no, nor she. said. "Father
made me promise upon my knees that
I'D never part with it. Besides, who'd
want it? I must have piano that I
can play upon, for cannot live with
out music"
"Well, then, I'll send an expert to
examine it-what say your
"Send him, of course. But what
good can he do? The laughter was
not heard until after father died, and
you know that the letter G was his
initial-G Of Gottlieb."
att is a strange coincidence, to be
sure. But G may also stand for
Gretna," said the practical Mr.. Briggs
!. 'sLet's see what the piano-maker will
win discover before we worry further
Then if he cannot remedy the trouble
I'll get you new one"
The next day the expert came, taking
apart the beautiful instrument and
minutely inspecting every detail in its
makeup. To their dismay he discov'
cred nothing out Of the ordinary, in
forming them instead that it was the
,best-made instrument he had ever ex'
amined His efforts proved a failure,
obviously; for as soon as he had put
it together again it stood ready to emit
: that blood-curdling laughter in the
face Of any and every performer.
The instrument was made in Ger
many by the father Of the cultured
Mrs. Briggs. Gottlieb Vandofen had
been one of the leading manufacturers
of pianos in Berlin, also owning large
manufacturing interests in Paris and
London. He was reputed as fabulous,
ly wealthy, yet at his death the entire
bulk Of his fortune did not exceed
$3,000000 in American money. This
was to be divided equally between his
daughter, Mrs. Briggs, and his SON
Karl Vandofen. A sense of disappoint
ment was experienced by the former
though she tried to persuade herself
that she had known so little about
: her fathers business affairs that per
haps she had overestimated his fnan
cial worth.
The son was absent in Australia ant
its neighboring islands when the father
was attacked with his final illness
failing to receive the letter bearing
the news of his approaching demise
Three months previously he had gone
thither, led by his rowing disposition
and the desire to see that part Of the
world. The two had had a lengthy
{ conversation previous to Karls depar
ture, but Gretna had not learned the
purport of it, neither did she let it con
CSIu uSG vel HULL. ShC NAC" l1ltt
her father and brother were upon the
! best Of terms.
Two months after Gottlieb Vando
~fen's death his daughter Gretna wa:
married to Augustus Briggs, an Ameri
can professor who had gone to Ger
many to study the language. This
seemingly hasty marriage was but il
accordance with the fathers request
for he knew that his daughters inter
ests would be safe in the hands OF
that gentleman. AS soon as the busi
ness could be adjusted, the happy pail
sailed for America, expecting Kar
to reappear upon the scene at any
day to take charge of affairs there a
Berlin.
But he did not come, and. unknown
to them, was anxiously awaiting wort
from the beloved Fatherland. Finally
he wrote his sister a letter of inGuir,
as to her silence. which reached her :
few days after her arrival in America
Three months more passed. and at ths
time of the final struggle with the mys
terious piano Mrs. Briggs was dali,
expectin. another m!ssivc from he
wandering bcother.
The letter failed 10 come, but th
brother arrived in its stead. Sun