Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1913-02-26
MARY, THE FAITHFUL
BY CORA CARSON

There! Doesn't 1t sound thou
sand times better than before 1t was
tuned?" demanded Dorothy as she let
her fingers glide nimbly over the keys
In exhibition Of the improved condi.
tion Of the piano.
"At least two thousand times bet
ter" assented her father. with an as
sumption of gravity. II suppose you'll
never practice on it again for fear Of
spelling 1T"
Dorothy nodded 30 vigorously In
agreement that her short braided hair
aapped about her head. She swung
around on the piano stool, which,
since II had had no mfnistration to its
voice, squeaked an excruciating ac-
compartment to her words. And
then, that old piano tuner would come
back and take a week to fix It,"
Daughter. you exaggerate too much.
DO try to be more LITERAL lectured
her father as he settled himself COM
fortably In his leather chair for the
evening.
We'll. this time It took his Just
'zactly five days." insisted Dorothy,
with an aggrieved air Of one who has
spoken the truth vainly.
Five what?" asked her father,
amazement in his voice.
give days." reiterated the little
girl, emphatically
Five days to tune a piano? What
do you mean, Dolly?"
81 thought he was awfully slow. but
he said it was awfuily. awfully out Of
tune
"But even so, whatever did he do
all that time?"
well, he came Monday First Of
all he played long time-to find out
which keys were wrong, s'pose. He
plays just grand. marches, and
waltzes, and variations of The Star
Spangled Banner and such pieces, you
know"
"F1ne!" agreed her father, with
mock enthusiasm.
Then he stopped and tried each
note separately"
THAT wasn't 30 grand. was It? Well,
how long did the concert last?"
Most all day. I got awfully tired
of the noise and went over to Kath-
ryn's. But / told Mary to take care
Of him"
MARY is o faithful maid and took
such good care Of him that he came
again next day, didn't be?"
Dorothy missed the sarcasm in her
fathers words and continued her ex-
PLANTATION plactdly. "oh. yes. he SEEM
ed TO like her. Well on Tuesday he
took the piano all apart and raised
such q dust It kept Mary busy clean.
Ing ap around him.
II see." Her fathers intonat
vas ominous. We'll. on Wednesday: -:
HE put It together eEain-but
something was loose. or tight Any
way, he didn't nke the way II sound
or and he trtea II long time, 30
that Mhry and I could tell It wasn't
quite right"
so he hea to come On Thursday IN
or6er to take the poor old piano apart
pgain9" guessed her father.
"Yes, and 40 II was Mary's day out.
wae glad he was here only in the
morning. SO I could 90 over to Kath-
ryn's after he went. Then Friday
morning be put in what he called the
finishing touches. You see, that does
make Ave days. But didn't ask him
10 stay to luncheon again. 80 he final.
ly left at noon. You don't care II l
didn't. do you. father? did so hate
10 eat with him; he gobbled So" And
Dorc..ny looked both Disguised and
ape ogetic.
But her fathers patience gave way
and he esked osernly, Whatever made
you ask him 70 luncheon With you at
any time7"
why. you told me 70 be nice to
aim" Dorothy burst into tears $50
gave Mary orders to have extra good
iuncheono and-anA-"
"Rus, my dear. uns tnkfng," tAe az
eapsrated father explained.
~Yoa'ro always telling ne 20 b
literal the little girl deolared In hs7
pxn defense. "onee before. when
Mr.. yoaktaa, you remember. came for
VISIT ondSsyoa told mother 1 Be
p!ee to him ohe-"
Bat NF. Jenkino is IA old fricod
md o GOOD customer" began her 70
her patiently. bat his daughter an-
shed her sentence desperately:
she had vine for him and made
afternoon coffee. And 30 though.
I'd better"
You didn't do that all for ths piano
tuner7" cried her father.
"Yea. You told me to be nice to
him." walled Dorothy.
Her father fell Imply back In his
chair. "Wine." he murmured. Wine
Tor the piano tuner!" Then he laugh
ed. ''Oh. Dolly, Dolly. I'll be glad
when your mother gets tired Of travel