Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-05-22
The Inspiring Of
Hartman
BY Angela Morgan.
Copyright, 1902, by w. r.. Hearst.

Hartman had felt from the first that 1t
was a mistake for him to cave 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 bachelor
quarters where for five years he had
struggled for the fame that was now
gliding his horizon.
Being a musical genius and a composer,
IL may be that his erratic temperament
had 10 do with the almost supersut.ous
fondness with which he regarded the Ola
place.
Amid those poor though blessed sur
roundings he had done his best creative
work. His den had become to him a
magic center where his thoughts were
thrilled and his ambitions stimulated. Inc
very walls and h%angings faded though
they were, had seemed TO breathe inspifa-
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. Snt 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 until
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 that he had made a mistake In
moving from the old place.
Not only daily but hourly did this mis-
guided creature-he presumed II was a
woman-torture the piano and the unfor-
tunate composer alike.
Try as he would he could not concentrate
upon lSs work. Rapturous strains that
had been singing trimuphantly In his brain
refused TO precipitate themselves upon pa
per whenever the banging and
commenced, Golden themes-eluslVe and
neutrality-suspicious. his Imagination, only
10 dissolve maddeningly into n~othingless
at sound of the ~excruciating discords from
the fiat below.
The situation must be met. somehow.
Better 10 injure the feelings of his neigh
Dor thar TO jeopardize the success or his
new opera. Nevertheless, he hesitated. 1t
was a delicate undertaking. He hated to
trample upon the tender sensihilities or a
woman.
Then ore day something happened which
put 10 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. She was tall, she was
square-jawed, she was aggressive! She
was, in short, an exaggerated ype of new
woman.
He might nave known It, Was she not
the very personification OF the harsh and
clamorous music that daily disturbed him?
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 IL.
The following morning proved to be that
time. The player had tackled some OF
Hartman's own compositions and was
numbering them mercilessly. 1t was too
much. The wild-eyed and ~despairing must
clan leaped to his feet and rushed down
stairs, thoroughly prepared for battle.
Vt 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 Darkness Hart
man struggled for an idea as he had never
struggled before, even In the composition
Of his most noted works,
II called to say" he explained, gasp
ingly, but paused in CONSERVATION. What
had he called to say?
A sudden inspiration saved him. 1.-The
cook overturned a tub of water upstairs
he burst forth, and / feared perhaps 1t
might damage your ceiling
She smiled upon him. How kind OF
you'll" she said. You are good to take
the trouble
N trouble whatever" he assured her.
Perhaps / can help YOU"
I'm 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
and then biushed. You see / am aware
of your identity. My cousin is quite fond
Of you 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 ST. 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 man-