The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-04-24
MARY, THE FAITHFUL
BY CORA CARSON.

tuu0Q. Q0W6HO0ua DOfOtAyS aD SuC iOs
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 50 vigorously In
! agreement that her short braided hair
tapped about her head. She swung
around on the piano stool. which,
since 1t had had no ministration to it's
! voice, squeaked an excruciating &C,
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.
Five days." reiterated the little
girl. emphatically.
Give days to tune q piano, What
do you mean. Dolly?"
II thought he was awfulIy slow, but
he said it was awfully, awfully out of
tune"
But even 80, whatever did he do
all that timer"
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"
"Fine!" agreed her father. with
mock enthusiasm.
Then he stopped and tried each
note separately"
That wasn't 50 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 I 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
fathers words and continued her ex-
PLANTATION placidly. .'Oh, yes. he seem
Ill h
took the piano all apart and raised
such a dust it kept Mary busy clean
ing up around him"
Il see" Her fathers intonation
was ominous. well. on Wednesday,"
"He put 1t together again-but
something was loose, or tight. Any
way, he didn't like the way it sound
er and he tried it a long time, SO
that Mary and I could tell it wasn't
quite right
so he had to come on Thursday in
order to take the poor old piano apart
again." guessed her father.
Eyes, and as it was Mary's day out,
/ was glad he was here only in the
morning, so 1 could 60 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 I
didn't, do you. father? I did SO hate
to eat with him; he gobblsd So" And
Dorothy looked both Disguised and
apologize.
and he asked sternly, whatever made
you ask him 10 luncheon with you at
any timer"
why, you told me to be nice to
him." Dorothy burst into tears. $50
/ gave Mary orders to have extra good
luncheons and-and-"
But, my dear. was Joking" the ex.
asperated father explained.
You're always telling me to be
literal" the little girl declared In her
own defense. "Once before, when
Mr. Jenkins, you remember, came for
a visit and you told mother to be
nice to him she"
But Mr.. Jenkins is an old friend
and a good customer" began her IA
thor patiently, but his daughter fin.
ished 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!" Then he laugh
ed. "Oh, Dolly. Dolly, I'll be glad
when your mother gets tired Of travel
ing and comes home to take care OF
you again. Then the maid will dance
to the tune of SO Long, Mary But
just let that piano tuner send in his
bill-just let him dare! I'll send him
one for board and entertainment and
'extras'!' Chicago Daily News.