The Washington herald., 1912-01-28

out the East as Prof Gus, self-styled
maker and tuner of pianos, and organ
expert" walked into the office of the
Board OF Charities at the District Build
ing yesterday afternoon TO appeal for aid.
Prof. Gus had evidently Travelled long
and far. There was a noticeable limp in
his walk which spoke unerringly OF sore
feet. He was bundled in a great OLD
overcoat which was worn and ragged.
In the buttonhole OF his overcoat
was a slim bunch OF sweet peas. A
handkerchief was tied around his right
hand, supposedly over sore. His hair
was long and rumpled, giving him the
appearance Of 4 real musical genius. His
manners were marked with unusual
naivete. When he spoke there was
twanE to his voice which told that with
respect TO nationality he was distinctly
Irish.
Permit me to make myself known tc
YOU" said the piano tuner, with an Irish
twanE, 10 DR.. Tobin, IN charge OF the
Board of Charities ONCE. Il am Prof
Gus, maker and tuner Of pianos and
organ expert"
Tells of His Troubles.
Prof. Gus swung the satchel from his
shoulder. and slowly seated himself on
the edge of chair near DR.. Tobln's desk.
He clasped his hands at the top Of his
rude cane, which was held vertically with
the butt on the floor. and bending for
ward with his chin almost touching his
hands. continued his tale.
Il have just arrived in this beautiful
city" said Prof Gus. from Baltimore.
l had a little dispute with my landlady,
which caused me 10 think of changing
my habitatlon. The weather being spring
like-it was one OF those fine days just
before the snow camel decided to again
turn my steps toward the National Cap
ital. came all the way by trolley, mind
you I am no freight hopper. Now. doc
tor, the appearance Of the snow was
concomitant with my advent in the city.
and consequently I am before you to test
your brotherly kindness"
How old are you?' asked DR.. Tobin.
'Sixty-nine day before yesterday" an
Prof. Gus, 'and permit me to add, it
would take a right good man to handle
me to-day. But, let me tell you. I travel
a good bit I'm wont to term myself a
jOurneyman piano tuner. Why. I've had
the distinction of tuning an organ in my
travels through the great State of Vir-
ginia for a lineal descendant of George
Washington, the father OF his country.
Now you may not believe that I'm so
great man, but here's the documentary
evidence"
Prof. Gus reached far down into the in
side pocket OF his Overcoat and extracted
ers.
"a Man of Ability"
See here" said he. turning the pages.
"Ah. here it is. 1t reads: This is to GER
tfy that Prof. Gus has most satisfactorily
tuned the magnificent organ in the Meth
odist Church Of the town Prof. Gus is
undoubtedly a man OF ability and rare
genius. Mrs. L. D. Washington. Green
vile, Va There you are. Just think;
that dear woman is a grandniece Of the
Father or his Country.
But, never mind. That pain which Just
shot through my leg reminds me of my
accident at Bowie. You know I fell of
= train at Bowie just a few weeks ago.
il was on the Pennsylvania. Yes. sir,
I've brought suit against the company,
too. Just think. have seventeen wit
nesses. Seventeen. And a Philadelphia
lawyer. Aw, ! have a good case. The
suit was filed on the 24th. You see ii
was the fault of the conductor. He
shirked his duty. and had the brakeman
acting in his place. Well, the train start
ed when l was halfway on and half
way of. / wanted TO get aboard. but
gravity wanted me 10 linger a little
longer. I was thrown onto the station
platform into a crowd of people It's
good they were there. or I would have
Strdck the ground harder. I bruised my
legs and cut my hand. Oh. I have
good case"
What's that scar on your chin and
that other one on your hands?" asked
nT. Tobin.
Just Saber SIashes.
oh. nothing. Those are merely saber
slashes. You know I was in the civil
war. In the Second Maryland Cavalry
Yes, sir. I was smoke and fire flashing
steel and blood.
We'll" said DR.. Tobin, I'VE will try
10 help you out We will write to
our friends in Baltimore to learn II you
are worthy Of charity. and until then
you can stop at the Municipal Lodging
House"
I can't saw wood" interrupted Prof. |
Gus. pointing to his bandaged hand.
Who said anything about saving |
wood?'' asked DR.. Tobin.
''Aw. friend" answered the Journey
man professor, L know. I've visited |
such places. And let me tell you, I'm op- |
posed TO such institutions. 1 don't be- |
Iieve in such charities. Why, I wouldn't |
saw wood for my grandfather It's not |
in my line, you see"
Just then the telephone rang. DIR. |
Tobin picked up the receiver.
"Aw. merry devil" exclaimed Prof |
Gus. pointing to the telephone. Them |
fools rob me Of a lot OF time. I'm a |
man of business. / can't tarry long
are convenient things some |
times. but 1 find them more often great |
nuisancss"
Are YOU married, professor" asked |
DIR. TObln, hanging up the receiver.
Twice have 1 been widowed by DEATH"
replied the piano tuner.
Ten Tots, He Thinks.
Have you any chIldren?"
Ten. I believe" replied Prof. Gus.
Where do they Iive?" further inquired |
Dr. TobIn.
Sec acre" said the journeyman plano
tuner, Il don't propose to draw this |
hing out. ] consider the question irrel- |
want. II is overruled. Proceed
What city are you resident of?'' in
1uired DR.. Tobin.
why. lived last in the city OF Bal
timore."
''WeII, but are you a resident OF that
,ity?"
''In a way" replied Prof. Gus. I'm
here OF and on. The rest OF the time
am either I'm Washington or am travel
nE through Virginia and Maryland. L
nav say I'm a resident OF both Balti-
more and Washington. 1 love them both"
who knows you in Baltimore?" asked
Dr. Tobin.
''Who knows me?' said Prof. Gus, in
IN astonished manner. Say, doctor,
,lease ask me who doesn't know me.
IN universally known. Just think; there
re only two great organ experts in. the
state Of Maryland Prof. George ShantZ