The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-05-14
The Inspiring of
Hartman
BY Angela Morgan.
Copyright, 1902, by w. r. Hearst.

Hartman had felt from the first that It
was a mistake for him TO leave his old
rooms in Twenty-third street. True, the
new uptown apartment was much more
in keeping with his artistic tastes and with
his rapidly changing fortunes. Yet IN
thought ne chung to the shabby bacneior
quarters where for hve years ne mao
struggled for the fame that was now
gliding his horizon.
Being a musical genius and a composer,
It may be that his erratic temperament
had 10 do with tne almost superstt.ous
ondne with which he regarded the Ola
place.
Amid those poor though blessed sur
roundings he had done his best creatVe
work. His den had become 70 MIN =
magic center where his thoughts were
thrilled and his ambitions stimulated. Inc
very walls and -hangings faded though
they were, had seemed to breathe lnspra-
ton. When he departed Hartman felt
that he left that inspiration behind.
Established in his new home, ne coulu
not but appreciate the glow n beauty
Of harmonious appointments. BUT eNtet-
nails do not make mental atmosphere
Hartman knew at once that II wouio pc
his task to create that atmosphere, ana
that he would not be able TO write unti
he did.
Then came a discovery that appalled,
nm In the fat below some deluded hui
man being .'practiced" daily upon the
piano. Now. indeed, was Hartman con-
WINGED that he had made a mistake In
moving from the old place.
Not only daily but hourly did this mis-
Ruided creature-he presumed II was a
w~oman-torture the piano and the unfor-
tunate composer alike. E#E
..AH-#. A~.-z,,l ~nk concentrate
upon lbs work. Rapturous strains thai
had been singing trimuphantly in his brain
refused to precipitate themselves upon pa
per whenever the banging and stramming
! commenced. Golden themes-elusive and
neutrality-suspicious. his Imagination, only
to dissolve maddeningly into n~othingless
at sound Of the excruciating discords from
the fiat below. |-#
The situation must be met. somehow.
Better to injure the feelings or MS neign-
Dor than to jeopardize the success OF his
new opera. Nevertheless, he hesitated. II
was a delicate undertaking. He hated to
Example upon the tender sensibiities or a
woman.
Then one day something happened which
put to rout with startling ab~ruptness his
kindly scruples concerning his supposedly
frail and sensitive neighbor. On his way
upstairs he encountered her just emerging
| ITOIn f. DGI Ddls q. oIiC WoO h"hy 49, -
square-jawed, she was aggressive! She
was, in short, an exaggerated type OF new
woman. "a #ab ,.. y.
He might have known i'll Was she not
the very personiication of the harsh and
clamorous music that daily disturbed him
The fact that she carried a music roll lei
no doubt in his mind as to her identity.
Then and there Hartman resolved tina
he would speak his mind the very mex
ttn,a tba% oonacinp demanded IL. H."- .
The following morning proved to be tina
time. The player had tackled some o.
Hartman's own compositions and wa
numbering them mercilessly. 1t was to'
much. The wild-eyed and despairing musi
clan leaped to his feet and rushed down
stairs, thoroughly prepared for battle.
At his imperative knock the playing
ceased. He heard footballs across the har'
wood hall floor within. Then the doc
opened. 81" N@... u
Madam" he began, sternly, but got n
futher. No square-jawed, aggressive wo
man faced him. but a 1.-the, lovely girl 4
a pretty morning dress. Her brown eye
were lifted l.mpidly to his staring ones.
You wish to see me?' she inquired
gently. .....
In that moment of utter blankness Hart
man struggled for an idea as he had neve
struggled before, even in the compositio
of his most noted works.
II called to say" he explained, gasp
ingly, but paused In CONSERVATION. Wha
had he called to say?
A sudden inspiration saved him. I
cook overturned a tub of water upstairs,
he burst forth, and l feared perhaps
might damage your ceiling +
She smiled upon him.. How kind {
your she said. You are good to TAX
the trouble"
No trouble whatever" he assured he
Perhaps I can help you" =
"I'Il see at once" she replied, and dis
appeared into the rear regions.
Hartman wandered into the parlor. II
was still thinking Of her eyes and he
smile. He turned eagerly at the returnin
rustic of her dress.
There doesn't seem to be n troub
with the ceiling" she said. ".
|. tpm very glad he replied. 1T shoul
hate to think that my housekeeper's stup
blunder should have annoyed you"
: Thank you, Mr.. Hartman" She smile
and hi blushed. I"You see I am awal
, of o identity. Ny cousin Ii quite for
: of your music. She plays a great DEAL
n Your cousin,' breathed Hartman. 'Tl
-er--tall young woman"
''Yes-Jane is tall" The girl glanced a.
I prehensively toward tremulous portiere
"Ah, I've had the pleasure of hearir
her." lied Hartman. WAS Sic not pla,
ing just now2'
: YES, that was She"
Then this lovely being was not the gull
n one! "' ..aa. ssNT
Hartman returned to his work In
buoyant frame OF mind. His inspiratit
had returned. He worked as he had n
worked since he left the magic atmosphe
OF his old beloved rooms. #.t .a
People praise that particular opera abo'
all his others. Hartman knows why. I
frequently explains the reason to a ce
tain brown-eyed, sweet-voiced woman-h
wife.
.|..' As Good as Money.
Ctories haya heen told Of hutton