Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1910-12-23

to her: Did you look at your instru-
ment. honey: And do you like IT.
"'It's lovely. dad says she. leaning
down by his pillow. I never saw one
so pretty. How dear and good it was
Of you to buy it for me-
"'l haven't heard you play on it any
yet says Uncle Cal. and I've been
listening. My side don't hurt quite
so bad now. Won't you play a piece,
Marilla:'
But. no: she puts Uncle Cal OF and
soothcs him down like you've seen
women do with kid.
when Doc Simpson comes over he
tells us that Uncle Cal has pneumonia
the worst kind. and. us the old man
was past sixty and nearly on the lift
anyhow. the odds was against his
walking OH grass any more.
"On the fourth day Of his sickness
he calls for Marilla again and wants to
talk piano. Doc Simpson was there.
and SO was I;cn and Mrs. Rcn, trying
to do all they could.
"I'd have made wonderful success
in anything connected with music
says Uncle Cal. 4 got the finest in
struncut for the money in San An
tone. Amt that piano all right in ev-
cry respect. Marilla?'
"'lt's just perfect. dad. says She
It's got the finest tone l ever heard.
But don't you think You could sleep a
littlo whiln nov 6NII'
"'No, don't. says Uncle Cal. !
want to hear that piano. l don't be.
lieve you've even tried it yet. went
all the way to San Antoine and pick
ed it out for you myself 1t took a
third Of the fall clip to buy it. but
don't mind that if it makes my good
girl happier. Won't you play Il little
bit for dad. Marilla:'
doc Simpson beckoncl Marilla to
one side and recommended her to do
| what Uncle Cal wanted. so it would
get him quietcd. And her Uncle Ben
and his wife asked her too.
why not hit out Il tune or two
with the soft pedal on:' asks Marilla.
Uncle Cal has begged you so often. 1t
would please him a good deal to hear
you touch up the piano he's bought
for you. Don't you think you might?
''But Marilla stands there. with big
tears rolling down from her eyes. and
says nothing. And then she runs over
and slips her arm under Uncle Cats
neck and hugs him tight.
why, last night dad we heard
her say. i played ever so much. Hon
est. | have been playing it. And it's
such Il splendid instrument; you don't
know how | love it. Last night
played Bonnie Dundee" and the IAN.
vii Polka" and the Blue Danube" and
lots Of pieces. You must surely have
heard me playing a little. didn't you.
dad? didn't like to play loud when
you was SO sick
We'll. WE'LL says Uncle Cal. may.
be did. Maybe did and forgot
about it. My head is a little cranky at
times. heard the man in the store
play it fine. I'm mighty glad you like
it. Marilla. Yes. | believe could 60 to
sleep awhile il you'll stay right beside
me till do
''rl,crc was where Marillu had me
guessing. Much as she thought of that
old man she wouldn't strike IA note on
that piano that he'd bought her
couldn't imagine why she told him
she'd been playing it, for the wagon
sheet hadn't ever been off of it since
she put it back on the same day il
come, ! knew she could play little
anyhow. for I'd once heard her snatch
some pretty fair dance music out Of a,
old piano at the Charco Largo ranch
We'll. in about a week the pneu
mona got the best of Uncle Cal. They
had the funeral over at Birdstail. ant
all Of US Went over ! brought Marill: