The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1906-12-13

clared. although do not know the
cabinet organ too well. Let me sug.
gest rather that your society accept the
loan Of my upright for the occasion.
Then, II you wish. shall be able 70
entertain you a little. I am seeking
pupils, you know. and II win serve ad-
mirably to introduce me. II will b
better than an advertisement In your
paper. and I shall save my monsy and
also show you what I am able to DO.
How does It please your
II pleased Mr.. Keenholts amssingly
well, and he said 90. He agreed to
have the piano carried acress the hall
and promised that no harm should
come to 1t.
II wish II might be the other, the
concert grand" the professor sighed.
Il could do myself Infinitely better Jus
tice. But. alas, 1t Is not possible! II
was % badly shaken In transit that II
must be silent until an expert re-
stores It."
ut looks like a mighty fins instru-
ment," Mr.. Keenholts hazarded.
1T is my very life-my stock In
trade, II you will permit me-" the mu-
sician declared feelingly. Wherever
l 60 1t accompanies me. When We
separate it must be for q most urgent
reason. 1t has had q career. my dear
sir. To all the world 1t 10 q shape
less box Of wood, Hlled with jangline
discords perhaps, but to me II is-my
very sine qua non."
Professor Gerard did not make his
appearance In the lodge room until the
members and their guests had assem-
bled and 1t was time for the proceed
ings to begin. As he entered the
crowded hall and made his way to the
platform a hush fell upon the assem-.
bly,. and every neck was craned to OBJ
tain q glimpse Of the newcomers Az
the professor stepped lightly upon the
platform and seated himself at the
piano a murmur Of satisfaction made
the circuit Of the large room.
III he only plays half as well as he
looks" began Mrs. Keenholts. an ami
able and very rotund woman, In an
audible whisper.
A warning "S-h!" from her equally
amiable and not quite 80 rotund daugh-
ter interfered with the worthy ma
irons conclusion. and just then, after
a brief consultation with Mr.. Keen
holts, who was acting as master of
ceremonies, the professor struck
mighty chord.
He did look remarkably well. Az he
sat at the piano. his profile toward his
audience, he seemed singularly attrac-
tive and even distinguished looking. He
was dark and smooth shaven, and his
features were modelled on classic lines.
He was also slight and rather fragile
looking, and his eyes were large and
extremely bright, accentuating the pal
lor of his complexion. His hair was
worn longer than the prevailing mode,
and the traditional lock fell over his
forehead. He was clad in the most ir-
reproachable evening dress, and his
manner was everything that could be
desired.
The opening music was only a hymn
sung by the members In unison, but
before II was ended Mr.. Kecnholts,
who was the real musical purveyor for
the lodge, made up bis mind that
cabinet organ was conspicuously out
Of place In a lodge room and that q
piano should grace the platform here
after. Then followed the installation
ceremonies, during which the profess
or did not leave the piano, but sat
with his poetical face half concealed
behind the slender fingers Of his left
hand. At the conclusion Of the induc-
ton office Mr. Keenholts announced
from the platform that 1t afforded him
great pleasure-and his radiant counte-
nance did not belle the statement--to
introduce Professor Pierre Lucien
Gerard, distinguished musician who
had most kindly come to their assist.
ance in the hour Of perplexity and who
was about to establish a school Of mu-
sic in the village. Realizing deeply,
he continued affably. that the pro-
fessor had contributed greatly to the
success Of the evening. he would now
ask him. In behalf of the organiza.
ton which he represented, to favor
the audience with a piece of his own
selection.
The man at the piano smiled engag.
ingly, squared himself with the instru-
ment, clasped his slender fingers tenta.
lively and dashed off the preliminary
arpeggio which Is so aracteristic Of
the virtuoso. Then he began and play.
ed admirably, well enough almost to
furnish the illusion that great artist
was masquerading In obscure Cross
kill. So 1t seemed to these young wo-
men present. who were confessedly
and who had had advan-
tages." 30 It seemed even to Isabel
vose, the bankers daughter, who had
Travelled and had often come In con-
tact with the genuine thing. Before
he had finished his frst piece half Of
the young women In the room had
made up their minds to become his pu-
pills, and after he had played the half
dozen others demanded viciferousiy
their fathers and mothers were scarce.
ly less impressed.
EVERY bit as good as Paderswski.
and mighty sight cheaper!'' declared
Cornelius vose, the bank prssident
after the applause had subsided.
"I'm not 80 sure Of that" laughed hIs
daughter. "It may be 4 good deal
iearer than Paderewski before you are
through with It."
81 suppose that means that the pro-
fessor has secured pupil In the vose
he returned, good humoredly.
well, you ought to know the real
thing when you see 1t. 1t does seem
queer, though, that anything worth
while has landed in Crosskill."
you've been here q long time," she
IL