The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1913-01-31
MARY, The FAITHFUL
BY CORA CARSON.

tuned?" demanded Dorothy as she let
her fingers glide nimbly over the keys
in exhibition of the improved condi'
ton of the piano.
AT least two thousand times bet
ter" assented her father, with an as
sumption of gravity. 81 suppose you'll
never practice on 1t again for fear OF
spelling it?"
Dorothy nodded so vigorously In
agreement that her short braided hair
tapped about her head. She swung
around on the piano stool, which,
since IL had had no ministration to its
voice. squeaked an eXcruciating ac-
compartment to her words. And
then, that old piano tuner would come
back and take n 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.
well, this time II took his just
'zactly FIVE days." insisted Dorothy.
with an afgrieved air of one who has
SUtkfu lnt lINlH NdlilN.
Five what" asked her father.
amazement in his voice.
Five 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 awfully. awfully out of
tune"
But even so. whatever did he do
all that timer"
well. he came Monday. First OF
all he played a 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"
Fine" agreed her father. with
mock enthusiasm.
Then he stopped and tried each
note separately"
THAT wasn't 80 grand. was It? Well,
how long did the concert last?"
Most all day. got awfully tired
Of the noise and went over to Kath-
ryn's. But told Mary to take care
of him"
MARY Is a faithful maid and took
such good care OF him that he came
again next day. didn't he?"
Dorothy missed the sarcasm In her
PLANTATION placidly. "Oh, yes. he SEEM
ed to like her. Well. on Tuesday he
took the piano all apart and raised
such a dust 1t kept Mary busy clean
ing up around him"
81 see." Her fathers information
was ominous. well. on Wednesday,"
HE put 1t together again-but
something was loose, or tight. Any
way, he didn't like the way 1t sound
er and he tried 1t a long time, so
that Mary and could tell it wasn't
quite right"
$50 he had to come on Thursday in
order to take the poor old piano apart
again." guessed her father.
Yes. and as 1t was Mary's day out.
was glad he was here only In the
morning. so I could go over to Kath-
ryn's after he went. Then Friday
morning he put In what he called the
finishing touches. You see. that does
make five days. But didn't ask him
to stay to luncheon again. so he final
ly left at noon. You don't care II
didn't, do you. father? | did so hate
to eat with him: he gobbled So" And
Dorothy looked both Disguised and
apoluIetic.
But her fathers patience gave way
and he asked sternly. Whatever made
you ask him 70 luncheon vita you at
any timer"
why. you told me 20 be nice to
him" Dorothy burst into tears. so
| gave Mary orders to have extra grod
iuncheons and-and-'
But. my dear, was Joking" the ex-
asperated father explained.
You're always telling m, to be.
literal" the little girl declared in her
own defense "Once before. when
Mr.. Jenkins, you remember. came for
visit and you told mothyr to be
nice to him she"
but MT. jenkins ID an ola Irlsnu
and a good customer" began her ia:
Their patiently, but his daughter fin
lshed her sentence desperately:
she had wine for him and made
afternoon coffee. And SO l thought
I'd better"
"You didn't do that all for the piano
tuner?" cried her father.
"Yes. You told me to be nice to
him." walled Dorothy.
Her father fell Imply back In his
chair. WINE" he murmured wine
for the piano tuner!" Their he laugh
edn, "Oh, Dolly, Dolly, I'll be glad
when your mother gets tired Of truvel-
ing and comes home 10 take care Of
you again. Then the maid will dance
TO the tune Of so Long. Mary. But
Just let that piano tuner send IL his
bill-just let him dare! I'll send him
one for board and entertain ment and
extras'!' "--Chicago Daily News.
''''.