Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1909-03-12
tampea upon o1 i the n = environment l,.
Dillingham; Co.


stamped upon the environment s35
The men OF the ranch fairly worship
ed Echo Sending to Kansas City,
they purchased a piano for. her as d
birthday gift. On the morning when
the wagon brought 1T over from Flor
ence station little work was done about
the place. The instrument had been
unlacked and placed In the living room
In Dcho's absence. Mrs. Allen, Polly
and Jim rode over to be present at the
presentation. The donors gathered in
the living room to admire the gift,
which shone bravely under the ener-
getic polishing Of Mrs. Allen. M ISL ~.
That's an elegant instrument" was
her observation as she flicked an imag-
mary speck Of dust from the case
Polly opened the lid, saying, "Just
what Echo wanted" sS$*.ss$
Jim cooked his head as If he were
examining now pinto pony.
''Sent all the way up to Kansas City
fer it, eh?' II .S$s%
| That's right. Uncle Jim!' chorused
the punchers. 1T. %.. &#,
| "Now the rooms complete" an
nounced Polly "Echo's made a big
change around here" The group
gravely followed Polly's, approving
glances. &%:aE9s
! ''That she has, assented Mrs. Allen
Locked like barn when Jack was a
bachelor. This certainly is the finest
kind Of a birthday present you all
could have thought Of"
Josephine III cry In minute. boys"
chuckled Allen. 5 $
I; you hesh up! snapped his wife,
glaring at the grinning ranchman.
Sagebrush poured oil on the rough
ening waters by changing the. CONVEX
sation. Speaking as If making a dare,
be challenged, what want to know
is, is there anybody here present as can
rassle tune out Of that there box?' =
No one came forward. &
"Ain't there none Of you boys that
can play on pianny?" he demanded.
down ut the Lone Star" gravely piped
up Show Low. .,@>$ A4 t&5:5@E " \
"what did you playY' asked the in.
quisitive Polly. s,$
Poker" answered Show Low Sc
riously. his face showing no trace of
humor. .+'s>%s at*
"Poker!" Polly repeated. in disgust.
THAT'S all they ever plays. Oh IT,
explained Show Low indignantly.
Polly grew impatient. This presen-
tation was a serious affair and not to
be turned into an audience for the ex-
ploitation 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 feeder for her
ideas Of fun. - -
Fresno modestly announced he was
something of a musical artist. u
-:.a,, II low can shake tune out of
/ that" he declared r7.$ 5fH. >
+ Lets hear you" cried Polly, rather
doubtful of Fresno's ability. yFs u
s.! 55. "Step% up. perfesser,' cried Allen
! heartily, slapping him on the back.
j5 Is Fresno grinned and solemnly rolled
/; up his sleeves. His comrades eyed his
i every move closely. He srat on his
hands. approached the. piano and
iglared fiercely at the keyboard.
/ "My ma had one Of them there
things when was yearlin'."" he OBJ.
served -. ~ .S.-~> =
4 Vi Fresno spun the seat Of his piano
1 stool until ii: almost twirled off the
screw. Els actions created the great.
est interest. especially to Parenthesis
who peered under the seat to see the
| wheels go round. Fresno threw his
4 leg over the seat as If mounting 4
4 horse. sss
A e well, boys, what'll you have?" be
4 asked. glancing from one to the other
4 In Imitation Of the manner of his
i friend, the pianist in the Tucson
honkytonk, on lively evening. II
4 The usual poison a bsently answer.
led Show Low u e, q.3.ss &. ss.S Il
i 8 Sagebr1lsh struck him In the breast
Il with the back Of his hand, Shut up,',
]! he groWIed. 4. II 55 Y u $Ss s;zS
Il Turning to Fresno, he said, Give rs
1.-THE The Maiden's Prayer ~ s$s5,} BIZ
b Fresno Whisked about SO quickly
"A that he almost lost his balance Gaz
II Ing at the petitioner in blank amaze
q ment, be shouted, 1.-THE what ~ d F{ .3
4 Sagebrush bIushed under his tan. Il
la most apologize voice he said, well
81 that's the first tune my sister Learned
!. to play, an she played it continuous
(which Is why / left home. =, sl5s
I, q ID sure like to, obHge you, Blu
Il maidens' prayers amt in my repetory,'
3 explained the Modified musician. b
Fresno raised his finger uncertainl.
over the keyboard, searching for a lie.
from which to make d start 3Th
6 group watched him expectantly. A
he struck note each member Of hi
audience jumped back in surprise q
Ri the sound Fresno scratched his hea,
and gfngerly fingered another key
III tier several false starts. backing an,
filling over the key board, he began i
pick out With one finger the afr nh