The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1906-12-16

Meyer once more was sitting with a
hand on either knee, his gaze bent upon
the instrument. But not for long. Sud
denly he rose and placed his hand
against his breast and bowed.
| Die Wacht Am Rhein,'' he cried, in
| a sort of ecstasy; Der Vaterland." But
the widow Mandelbaum gave no sign.
She yielded sound. however. Little by
little her voice filed the small room
first a whisper of melody, then a burst
of song. Meyer began slightly to sway
to and fro; slowly he fell into a steady
tramp, tramp, tramp, across the room
and back again, keeping step with the
music; and then-irresistibly, he, too,
broke forth, in stentorian voice, grow
ing deeper and ever deeper. He was
lad back in the Fatherland, the red
blood flowing in his veins. the name OF
his king and country upon his lips; he
was Meyer patriot, lover of home:
Meyer, soldier; Meyer, victor, conqueror;
Meyer, with ladies bowling at his feet.
He was no longer Marshal of the NUM-
cipal Court; he was Field Marshal
Meyer.
"Ah. such a music." he cried to Mrs.
Mandelbaum. Mrs. Mandelbaum smiled.
For this was Meyers seventh visit, and
heaven of delight. The rwo-dollar-a-
week piano had done it-that and Mrs.
Mandelbaum. But she was wise, this
widow. She had only begun. She had
broadened Meyers shoulders and rails
ed him in height. But it was essential
now to touch his very soul.
Something's else, then?" she queried.
Who was the spider now? And who the
fly?
Meyer nodded. He laid down his
cigar He kept striding to and fro.
And then the Supply Company piano
spoke once more, and so did Mrs. Man.
delbaum. Steadily, as though coming
around a corner, she began it.
Itch weiss NIGHT, was soil es bedeuten
Das ich so traurig bin
Elm Maerchen aus alien Zeiten
Das komnt mir NIGHT aus dem Sim"
Meyer forgot himself and rumpled up
his hair. "Goot! Goot, my friend!" he
cried Die Lorelei-so should it be-"
Mrs. Mandelbaum nodded, but never
ness.
1.-The loveliest maiden is sitting
High throned in yon blue air.
Her golden jewels are shining;
She combs her golden hair.
She combs with a comb that is golden
And sings a weird refrain
That sleeps in a deadly enchantment .
The listeners ravished brain. :"
Oh, Mrs. Mandelbaum, Mrs. Mandel-
baum, who is this !
Lorelei? Who might this siren be?
Whose hair is this? OF whose spit |
curls do you sing? And, Meyer-ah. he
sees naught but you, it seems, You and
the Supply Company piano. He sees
not the yawning breakers-he sees but
the widow alone. And now, stop!
Cease the melody. Never mind about
the turbulent waves, and the rocky
cliff, and the yawning breakers. and
the morgue. It Is
1t was enough for Meyer. For by
process, slow but sure, he found him.
self at the side of Mrs. Mandelbaum,
and he found that one of her plump
hands was in his own. On his soul.
Meyer knows not to this day how her
hand got there.
Mrs Mandelbaum," he began.
She turned quickly
ooh sure" she answered, 1--WE must
ak about that there reference of
nine" 1t was there she made her mis-
AXE. She should have kept on singing.
But, in an instant, Meyer came down
20 earth. Or, rather, he scrambled out
If that little boat, gust escaped being
oowled over by wave, and drew up
light and tight on shore, with his cigar
between his teeth. Sure" he respond.
ID, lets talk about the business. How
lid you get this here piano, Mrs. Man
Easy payments" she responded,
irawing a bit closer.
'Ho, no." thought Meyer; 'ft won't
10. now, for me to get in such a case
hat I should make those easy pay
nents. No, no."
He shook his head. Easy pay
nents," he repeated: they're awful
lard to make sometimes. I tell you
What"
eff I should not make thern,' queried
drs. Mande1baum, then what?"
Meyer frowned and shook his head.
They would take your piano back"
lie answered
And" persisted she, what if do
lot let them? Eh?''
Meyers frown deepened. 'They will
freak down your door," he said; they
will smash your furniture. They will
'rush you to one side. Six men will
here be. They will take it, all right,
IL right" he concluded. II know.
ave done it. I have also seen it done. :
hem there easy payments is too
lard"
Would you take my piano." whis-
'ered Mrs. Mandelbaum
Again Meyer shook his head. mot
lnless they paid my fees" he assured
Ter. Where did you buy him?" he
inquired. She told him.
"Oh, Silsberger, of the Supply Com
amy" he said. mo, he never hires
10 marshals. He has good men, big
men. He sends 'em, and they take the
ianos all right. They know how. Other
nen. they break furniture they COM