The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1903-01-23
THE POWER OF MUSIC.
How Clever Salesman Sold an Organ
to n Lady Who Had Little
Use for 1t.


ing experiences connected with the
craft, when one ofthe party. w5o has
been a dealer in organs in small way
in a western state, where he had acted
as agent for big concern in supply |
ing the local trade grew reminiscent,
relates the Washington Star:
81 remember an incident connected /
with the sale of those cottage organs
that has somewhat the flavor of the |
David Harum boss trad e," said he. !
"My rival in. the organ- business in the !
western town Was one of the slickest !
statesmen that ever ca ioled the eluciye !
currency from afolaed fist. The fell
low-his name was Rishop-sold or !
gans to nearly every family in three |
counties. We got our Instruments for |
about $2S net, and the regular selling
price was $50. -
Bishop had a light wagon CON
structed especially for carrying a cot !
tage organ, and he would load in one
of the instruments and, together with
his assistant, who was fine musician,
would start for the country.
"One day he drove to a farm owned
and managed by a wealthy old Irish
lady who couldn't tell a. music score
from a baseball tally sheet. AS Bishop
and his assistant drove up to the house
with organ in the wagon the old lady
came out before the door. and with
her arms akfmbo struck a Delsartean
pose suggestive of the naughty deci-
sion, and said: ~"t'
"'Take thot thing out of me yard
Move on wild yez. + won't have no
music boxes around me. Don't We
dare to take'it out av the wagin; or I'll
break it open wild an ak 3, ! ~. ~,
"'Oh, didn't intend to takest
organ out, Mrs. Murphy said Bishop,
4 only wanted to water my horses
''It was a warm day and, after
watering the animals, the two began
conversing pleasantly with Mrs Muir
ply until her aggressiveness relaxed.
Bishop declared it was too warm to
take to the road for a while and that.
they would have forrest. He present
ly induced the old lady to let them
put the organ under a shade tree out
of the sun The two conspira ors
against the peace of the household
strolled aimlessly about the yard, and
after awhile the young fellow opened
up the organ and began playing lively
airs with the Irish sticking out all over
them. He was an excellent performer
and he coaxed all the Irish out of that
instrument there was in it.. and pres
emily Mrs. Murphy peeked out at the
door. The assistant played through
his list of airs and started on some of
the old songs dear to every native of
old Erin. using the stops and pedals
with great effect.
"'And phwat do yez ask fer thing
like thot?' the old lady presently
asked Bishop.
eve usually get SIS for that organ. ;
he replied indifferently, and went on
sauntering about the yard.
THE music continued, and after a
few minutes Mrs. Murphy asked:
Would We sell it any cheaper fer cash p
"No.' says Bishop, that's the low
est cash price
Mrs. Murphy walked back to the
house. Finally the young man closed
the organ with snap. and-backed up
the wagon preparatory TO reloading
Mrs. Murphy came out with unmistak-
able interest visible in her counte-
nance. She looked the organ over a
moment and then said:
Now, Mr.. Bishop. couldn't We
throw off five dollars if I'd giveye ca sh
money!
NO said he, this organ is. the one
/ am using for a sample and it's one
of the best. don't care to sell it
anyway. butt have some down at the
store and he went ON reloading.
The old lady's Irish blood was up.
She couldn't let an Instrument that
. could express the sentiments of those
old melodies so sweetly escape her.
so she said: L don't want any other
one. Just be aisy- now and wait a
minute and she lodged into the
house, where the, family bank, con-
sisting Of an old stocking. wassopened.
and she counted out SIS for the lucky
salesman.
The organ was placed in the parlor.
the assistant taught the old lady a
chord, and as they drove away they
could hear her hanmering, on the
organ with eycruciafing results.
Down the road for halt a mile thew
. could hear 'tum. tum-tum, .tum. tum-
n tllul' as she endeavored to get her
moneys worth. The only time it af-
forded her satisfaction. however. was
when some visitor who could play
> dropped in, and then the music Of old
Erin could be heard from the roadway
for hours"