Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1906-04-26
The Girl at the
Music Counter
IA DEPARTMENT STORE Story
By H. BARRETT SMITH
lAuthor Of Bat o'connor's Helper" Etc.


music publishers, thought he had
never seen more enthusiastic au-
dience. 1t was composed of the usual
crowd OF shoppers and idlers. He had
studied with interest the girl that
played the piano. She was a childish.
looking little thing in her cheap, i'll
looking uniform of black alpaca. but
Mr.. Meyer was not thinking of the
girls looks. For her unattractive ap-
pearance there was ample compensa-
ton. Magnetism was in her touch.
She could draw a crowd to the coun-
ter where sheet music was sold-and
that was all she was there for.
Mr. Meyer listened TO the music:
he watched the crowd, and he felt
the rancor of disappointment, the
pang OF thwarted ambition. Rosen-
thai company-Meyer & Levy's great
est competitor = always managed to
make arrangements to furnish most
OF the music. Mr.. Meyer cherished
his resentment in silence; Mr.. Meyer
was diplomat and rarely allowed his
grievance to become apparent. But
this morning, when he turned his
back on the crowd and noticed Miss
McCabe, the head-of-stock, standing
near him, he could not resist the
temptation of saying:
"You should half better biano
blayen here" His words had the con-
fdendal tone used only to an old ac-
quaintanee.
"Sure, we should" The head-of-
stock assented readily, to his sur
prise. "she has a pull" Miss McCabe
wrenched the music into place with
unnecessary vigor.
you dondt say"
But do say," The head-of-stock
spoke aggressively. about three years
ago the old man was passing through
here one evening, just as we were
ready to go home, and found her
ladyship playing the pianner all by
her lonesome. He stops and listens
feels sorry for such kid-asks her
questions, then sends her to a pianner
teacher. and pays for her lessons.
Talk about luckl Why. she has a
life Job here-and I've got a cousin
that can play twict as good"
5000" said Mr.. Meyer. and at that
moment the head-of-stock's attention
was claimed by a customer. Mr..
Meyer was left 10 digest the valuable
information he had so Unexpectedly
received. when some one behind him
sang low and blithely:
Il want to be an actor lady up on
Broadway"
Mr. Meyer started and turned. He
ceased blinking his watch chain. The
little pianist was looking over some
music on the counter. She was con-
scious OF his presence only inasmuch
as she was always glad TO have an au-
dience.
you blay grandt," said Mr. Meyer.
The girl glanced at him quickly,
then smiled and said with iocose
friendliness:
"wnat are you giyln' u.s."
Pm giffen i'd to you straighdt I'm
Mr. Meyer What supplies most of der
moosic. and, say. listen, nexdt vim
ter cur firm ISIS thinker on sender
oudt a concert oombany on der roadt
real actor ladiesl Eff our blans
comes oudt as We expect, We gif you
$50 a week for maken der moosie."
When the girl took her seat at the
piano. she noted. as she ran her
fingers over the keyboard, the look
of expectancy on the faces about her;
then she smiled at her audience; her
gaze sought out Mr.. Meyer; she broke
into the melody, and simultaneously
everybody kept time with the infec-
tious strains OF
i've got my eye on you-oo-oo-!
Mr.. ,.eycr turned violently red. He
thought the entire audience was look
ing at him. He never for moment
1--WE got my eye on you
with the concert in the air TO which |
he had introduced the girl to feed
her egotism, and thereby gain her
good will. To Mr.. Meyer that con-
cert was but a happy thought that
served its purpose and was forgotten
but he never lost sight OF his scheme
to attach the girl that played the
piano to the interests of the house OF
Meyer & Levy.
He dropped into the department one
aay and saw the little pianist alone
AZ the counter selecting music. Miss
NcCabe was nowhere to be seen. Mr..
Movers heart beat fast. He felt he
had not a moment TO lose.
The girl saw him coming, greeted
him with a smile. a long sidewise
look. said: Hello" and continued her
selection.
"ven. how you are to-day"
"out Of sight" She began to hum
an air.
SAY" Mr.. Meyer looked about eau
tiously. you should blay more on our
moosie."
why should u"
Because. said Mr.. Meyer, earn
sstlv. you know {. you would do
IS der favor We would make ID worth