The Topeka state journal., 1906-04-25
TIE EVENING STORY
A Fiat Failure.

across the hall there came a crash, fol-
lowed by the shiver of broken glass.
An old gentleman stepped out into the
haH and waited. In a moment q sec
ond old gentleman appeared at the
open door of his fiat, evidently intend
ing to slam it shut with all the power
that lay in his strong right arm. But
ne too stopped as he saw his neighbor
and then gave a shame-faced laugh.
Broke window pane trying to keep
out the noise. That girls dancing
poika on her piano and she's been at
II four mortal hours It's a shame.
and l won't stand it any longer. There's
gcing to be a change herei"
II change is what you want, come
over to my side. There you can hear
singing. The young wretch down there
asplres to be tenor He has been
singing for so long that If he should
stop now I'd be lonesome, guess"
The piano player stopped long enough
to get new piece of music, and in
the interval of comparative quiet there
Hoated through the Railways the walls
of a stringy tenor voice reiterating with
long-dra wn-out sadness.
"Oh-h-h I have sighed to re-est met"
Now just listen to that, will you'll"
said one disgustedly.
Soon the strains of MY Old Ken
tucky Home embellished with un-
heard of variations, drowned out the
walls of the tenor.
Yes, III listen. Don't see how
can help myself said the other Come
in here, Adams" and he led the way
into his room and out to the piazza at
the back. It was the least noisy place
he could think Of
Nov, what are we going to do about
this thing? We've signed leases for
two years for these flats and we'd only
had four months before this chunk of
Signor Squalls conservatory of music
came out here to stir up this peaceful
neighborhood. I've questioned the par
ents of 'em. and they've signed for
year. Now, whatu we do2"
Il don't know" said Adams, as he
offered his neighbor a cigar and pit
the tip from his own. Il went through
more or less noise during the war, but
this-rve got so I can't tell when they
stop and when they begin now, the stuff
rings in my ears so. Ny wife says
was urging 'em to run race in my
sleep the other night and putting all
sorts of money on the tenor"
rIf he'd use all that energy doing
something, he'd be rich some day!"
growled Mr.. Bolton between puffs.
Work? Oh, nor blazed Mr.. Adams
suddenly.
while they listened to the tenor, who
was holding his own.
"Oh. I have si-ighed to re-est me-e
Deep IN the si-ilent grave"
'Huh." groaned Adams. I'D like to
dig it for him. think it would be deep
I'm not so sure about the silent. But,
see here. we're not getting on any
What are we going to do2"
Il thought of a plan last night said
Adams slowly IF we could only put
it through. You know the girl isn't
much stuck on the tenor Just now and
he don't seem to banker much after her
society. Musicians are such a Jealous
seti You see that girl has only her
mother and he has only his-or these
flats would be too small Now" and
he brought his feet down from the rail-
ing and cheWed his cigar feTcely In his
excitement-"now why shouldn't we fix
things to get those two married? It
would be a shame to spoil two families
with EN-
And as it is they're breaking up our
happy homes" agreed the other.
why, Bolton" said Adams, earnestly.
L haven't had a decent nights sleep
or days rest in months. l can't stand
it, l went to see the rascally agent
who turned 'em loose on US, and he was
sympathetic enough, but he said they
pafa the rent, and he didn't feel to
blame because he couldn't see it on EN-
when they signed"
He chewed the end from another ci-
gar Bolton was chuckling. Adams
went on.
you see. there amt any law about
these things though there ought to be,
and all we can do is to fix up some
thing ourselves and bear the conse-
quences. My wife and I have done
everything we could think of. We've
been down to call, one on one side, the
other on the other side, at the same
time, thinking that while we were
there they'd stop at any. rate."
Il could have told you better than
that" grinned Bolton. Tried it my
self Both old women deaf, too. Don't
wonder either They've stood this for
some years now. they tell me. Stuck
US out in that beastly middle room and
Went at it like Sam Hill and let US
screech at the old women
''WeH, let's get 'em married. insist
ed Adams. why not? Then they can
fight it out in piece or in pieces.
They'll have to move, because this
place won't hold both of the old wom-
en- and them too. Just so hey get out
Of this neighborhood 1 don't care where
they CO.
They smoked a minute and then
Bolton said:
How do you propose to get 'em
married ?"
"I don't propose to do it alone. I
can tell you that. You've got to help
waved his cigar in the air while he
mapped out his campaign.
It'll take some time, of course.
First we get so neighborly we won [
/
'em to perform for our special benefit
yes. we do, Bolton" he insisted, as
the other showed signs Of mutiny.
well. go on
1--WE invite EN- both up here and tell
each of 'em the nice things the other
is supposed to have said. we let the
old women brag and no kicks coming.
yes said Bolton. 81 see. I sup
pose 1 must sacrifice myself to the
cause. So be it."
They set themselves to work together
with their wives. The two men became
so engrossed in their efforts with the
young people that they hardly paid any
attention to the noise that still went
They noticed. though. that after a time
there were intervals OF total silence. The
house together On rare occasions the
young man carried a box Of flowers into
the house and the girl was heard TO play
over and over with much feeling the love
song of Paderewski. At such times the
two old gentlemen adjourned to the back
rfazza and regarded each other with