Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-08-09
HOW SHE LosT THE PIANO

HOW SHE LOST THE PIANO.
No, won't! just don't care to,
and WON'T" The speaker, whose
pretty face was spoiled with an ha-
bitual scowl and pout, flounced away
rom her mothers gentle hand.
But, dearie," expostulated the lady,
'your father likes to hear you sing,
and he's so tired A song would cheer
him up"
But Clarlssa went out to talk to
three or four OF her girl "chums" on
the porch, and the too gentle mother
and the too indulgent father were left
to wish in vain for a loving little
daughter.
"oh, mother" cried Clarissa,
breathlessly, an hour later what do
you think? A great lady-such a
great lady-a millionairess-is COM
Ing to our school in a day or two!
And she is going to give prize-a
piano-to the girl who can sing the
best. oh, but l want it! A new
piano! That old thing"-she glanced
contemptuously at the little cottage
piano, which had been one of her
mothers wedding presents-"is q
ways getting out of tune. Besides,
this will be my very own. l shall
keep it in my room!"
She practised constantly during the
next two or three days-practised
While her mother was trying to get
an afternoon nap, practised while her
father was sleeping in the early morn
1ngs. She was particular about her
dress, too. and attended to her pretty
finger nails with such care that she
was not willing to soil them by doing
anything to help her mother"
One evening, just three after the
one on which my story opened, Mrs.
Lane had occasion to go to the drug
store at the corner. She found Clar-
rissa and her young friends seated at
the ice cream soda fountain.
Evening, Mrs. Lane" said the
druggist, cheerfully. Like you to
meet friend of NINE"
Just then an old woman, bent with
years and very shabbily dressed,
came out from the inner room. The
druggist introduced her to Mrs. Lane
Your little girl would give us a
song maybe" went on the social drug
gist. my friends mighty fond OF
music"
"Of course she WILL" replied Clar
issas mother. Come, dear"
Don't feel like singing" said the
girl. sulkily.
Now, Clarissa," expostulated her
mother. Sing like a nice little girl
Do, now"
mo, mamma. don't worry me-" said
Clarissa, affectedly. II can't sine
when don't feel like 1t. Won't sing
for that old trump. anyway" she add
ed, hardly lowering her voice.
Perhaps" put in the old woman, in
very tired way. perhaps some other
little girl will sing for me-"
Two good-natured children volun
tered. Neither of them sang particu
larly well, but they did their best
Clarissa forgot the incident very
quickly. She could not know that he,
father had talked long and anxiousl,
over her that night, and resolved tc
be very much more strict with her
Children" said the teacher the
next day, 1.-The lady of whom 1 tolG
you is coming in this morning.
There was a rustic and fiutter al
she entered. She was tall and stately
and magnificently dressed. One after
another of the most musical sang, an5
at last it was Clarissa's turn.
She smiled up at the lady, confident
of the beauty of her voice. And al
she looked she started.
The tall, slender form seemed tt
shrink and dwarf. The lady threw ar
old black veil over her handsome bon
net; no other change was needed Il
show Clarissa that she stood before
the druggists friend"
She sang badly, and she knew it
Her voice cracked on the upper regis
ter and her notes were fiat She coult
not deny that another girl, to whom
the piano was awarded, fully desery
ed her prize.
She was in the mood to profit b.
her fathers talk that night. Her van
ity was severely crushed, and the ugll
ness of her faults was very patent t,
her quick, keen eyes.
Il know, daddy, | know" she said
penitently, when he mad finished. "
mean to try. And I'll always sing TO
you," she added.
ITS great deal better than thu
new piano." said the wife to her hus
band, when Clarissa had gone to bed
"Yes," he answered. "She is goinl
to cure herself Of bad habit
Francis Harmer in New York Trl
bune.
WITH THE IMMORTALs.
Wandering unconcernedly in tn
field of view of any high-power mi
crosco"e there may be seen an ANNA