The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-05-21
The Inspiring of
Hartman
BY Angela Morgan.
(Copynght. 1904. by w r. Hearst.

az - ~
Hartman had felt from the nrst that IS
was q mistake for him to leave his Old
rooms in T~wenty-third street. True. tho
new uptown apartment was much more
In keeping with his artistic tastes and with
his rapidly changing fortunes. Yet In
thought he chung to the shabby
quarters where for five years ne mad
struggled for the fame that waA now
gliding his horizon.
Being q musical genius and q composer.
It may be that his erratic emperament
had TO do with tue almost supersatious
fondness with which he regarded the pig
place.
Amid those poor though blessed SUR
roundings he had one his best creative
work. His den had become to him e
magic center where his thoughts We're
thrilled and his ambitions stimulated. n
very walls and hangings faded thongn
they were, had seemed to breathe inspira-
ton. When he departed Hartman felt
that he left that inspiration behind.
Established in his new home. he could
not but appreciate the glow and beauty
Of harmonious appointments. But exter-
nails do not make mental atmosphere.
Hartman knew at once that 1t would be
his task to create that atmosphere, and
that he would not be able to write ~
he did.
Then came a discovery that appalled,
him. In the fiat below some deluded hui
man being ''practiced'' daily upon the
| piano.. Now, indeed, was Hartman con-
WINGED thai he had made q mistake IN
moving from the old place.
Not only daily but hourly did this mis-
! guided creature-he presumed 1t was q
woman-torture the piano and the untors
| tunate alike.
Try as he would he could not
| upon rs work. Rapturous strains that
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 m~addeningly into n~othingless
at sound of the excruciattn8 discords from
the fiat below.
The situation must be met, somehow.
Better to injure the feelings of his neigh
Dor than to ieopardize the success of his
new opera. Nevertheless, he hesitated. II
was a delicate undertaking. He hated to
trample upon the tender sensibitttes OF Q
woman.
hen one day something happened which
put to rout with startling abruptness his
kindly scruples concerning his supposedly
frail and sensitive neighbor. On his way
upstairs he encountered her just emerging
from her fiat. h was tall, she was
square-jawed, she was aggressive! She
was, in short, an exaggerated y p OF new
woman.
He might nave known It! Was she not
the very personifcation of the harsh and
clamorous music that daily disturbed him7
The fact that she carried a music roll left
no doubt in his mind as to her identity.
Then and there Hartman resolved that
he would speak his mind the very next
time that occasion demanded 1t.
The following morning proved to be that
time. The player had tackled some of
Hartman's own compositions and was
numbering them mercilessly. It was too
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 hard
wood hall floor within. Then the door
opened.
Madam" he began, sternly, but got no
futher. No square-jawed, aggressive wo-
man faced him. but a 1.-THE, lovely girl in
a pretty morning dress. Her brown eyes
were lifted limpidly to his staring ones.
You wish to see me?" she inquired.
gently.
In that moment Of utter Hart
man struggled for an idea as he had never
struggled before. even in the composition
of his most noted works.
Il called to say" he explained, gasp
ingly, but paused in CONSERVATION. What
had he called to say?
"a S4SAS AAioP1AS In ltli Fl El l1C
cook overturned a tub of waite upstairs
he burst forth, and I feared perhaps 1t
might damage your ceiling
She smiled upon him. How kim of
your she said. you are good to take
the trouble
No trouble whatever" he assured her.
Perhaps I can help you
"TI see at once" she replied, and dis
appeared into the rear regions.
Hartman wandered into the parlor. He
was still thinking of her eyes and her
smile. He turned eagerly at the returning
rustic of her dress.
There doesn't seem to be any trouble
with the ceiling" she said.
I'm very glad" he replied. 1T should
hate to think that my housekeeper's stupid
blunder should have annoyed you"
Thank you, Mr.. Hartman" She smiled
of your identity. My cousin Is quite fond
Of your music. She plays a great DEAL"
Your cousin!" breathed Hartman. 1.-THE
er-tall young woman?"
"Yes-Jane is tall" The girl glanced ap-
prehensively toward tremulous portieres.
"Ah, I've had the pleasure of hearing
her." lied Hartman. Was sic not play
ing just now?"
Yes that was she"
Then this lovely being was not the guilty
one!
Hartman returned to his work in a
buoyant frame of mind. His inspiration
had returned. He worked as he had not
worked since he left the magic atmosphere
Of his old beloved rooms.
People praise that particular opera above
all his others. Hartman knows why. He
frequently explains the reason to a GER
tain brown-eyed, sweet-voiced woman-his
wife.
As Good as Money.
EfOriea have haon told ne b,,++op.