The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-11-07

room IN Echo dDSellSC- Wis AiiSAs
Polly and Jim rode over to be present
at the presentation. The donors gath
cred in the living-room to admire the
gift. which shone bravely under the
energetic polishing of Mrs. Allen.
That's an elegant instrument was
her observation. as she ficked an i'm
aginary speck of dust from the case.
Polly opened the lid, saying: Just
wha Echo. wanted"
Jim cooked his head, as IL he We're
examining a new pinto pony.
Sent all the way up to Kansas City
for it, eh?"
That's right, Uncle jim" chorused
the punchers.
Now the rooms complete" an
nounced Polly. "Echo's made a big
change around here The group
gravely followed Polly's approving
glances.
THAT she has, assented Mrs. Allen
Looked like a barn when Jack was a
bachelor. This certainly is the finest
kind of a birthday present you all
could have thought of"
~"Josephine'll cry in a minute. boys"
chuckled Allen.
you hesh up" snapped his wife,
glaring at the grinning raichman.
Sagebrush poured oil on the rough
enlng waters by changing the CONVEX
sation. Speaking as If making a dare 10
challenge: What I want to know is, Is
there anybody here present as can
rassle a tune out of that there box?'r
No one came forward.
"Ain,t there none of you boys that
can play on a pianny?'' he demanded.
rive played on the big square.
down at the Lone Star" gravely piped
up Show Low. :
What did you play?p asked the in.
quisitive Polly.
Poker answered Show Low seri-
ously. his face showing nc trace OF
humor.
"Poker!" Polly repeated, in disgust.
'"That's all they ever plays on It,"
explained Show Low Indignantly.
Polly grew impatient. This ~presenta-
ton was a serious affair and not to be
turned into an audience for the ex-
ploitationa of Show Lows adventures.
Moreover, she did not like to be used
even indirectly as a target for fun
making, although she delighted IN
making some one else a feeder Tor ner
ideas of fun.
Fresno modestly announced he was
something of a musical artist.
81 low 1 can shake a tune. out OF
that he declared.
Lets hear you,', cried Polly. rather
| doubtful of Fresno's ability,
step up, perfesser." cried Allen
heartily, %slapping him on the back.
, Fresno grinned and solemnly rolled
up his sleeves. His comrades eyed MS
every move closely. He spat. on his
ft..~1. annr,arhpl tho nian0 and
glared fercely at the keyboard.
my ma had one of them there things
when l was a ycarlin,.,' he observed. -.
Fresno spun the seat of the piano
stool until it almost stwirled off the
screw. His actions created the. great
est Interest, especially to Parenthesis,
| who peered under the seat, TO seeatne
wheel go round. Fresno threw his
log over the seat as if d
horse.
well boys. whatIl you have?' he
asked. CHANGING from one to the other
in imitation of the manner OF MS
friend, the pianist in the Tucson honKy :
! tonk. on q lively evening.
THE usual poison absently an
swered Show Low.
Sagebrush struck him In the breast
with the back of his hand. smut up
he growled. ~ E.
Turning to Fresno, he said: Give US
the-er4'The Maiden's Prayer.
Fresno whisked about so quickly that
1 he almost lost his balance. Gazing at
the petitioner in blank amazsfnent, ne
! shouted: The what?
5aeebrush blushed under his tan. In
a most ap~ologetic voice he said: sWea,
that's. the first tune my sister learned
to play. an she played it
which is why | left honie."
I'D sure like to ob'ige ous but Mal-
> denis Prayers amt in my repetory,
explained the modified musician.
Fresno raised his finger uncertainty
over the Keyboard searching for a key
from which to make a start. + group
. watched him expectantly. As ne
!, struck a note each member of his audl-
ence jumped back in surprise az the
sound. Fresno scratched his head anu
gingerly fingered another key. After
several false starts, backing and hihng'
over the keyboard, he began to PICK
!. out with ore finger the air The SUI
!, vance River
! That's IL. Now were started ne
= cried exultartly.
His ~overcoaidence led him to strike
l a false note.
= Excuse me-" he apologized. "Got
I the copper on the wrong chip ~
5 Once more he essayed playing the
! old melody, but became hopelessly con-
: fused. s'
: Darn the tune!' he mumbled.
Sagebrush, ever ready to cheer up
the failing courage of a performer.
c%hirruped: Shuttle 'em up ag'in and
/, begin a now deal"