Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-02-12

cheek thaIf view. frora the backS
promptly invited him.
I'll be - there, said the mighty
Child. And - shall - bring -
my banjo"
broadway did not notice how his
sweet young Office manager involun-
tarily ~shuddered.
It was q pretty evening. The sun
was setting In the midst Of an extreme
" gorgeous Turner sky, even if it was
on ~JonesviIe that the Wondrous color
fell in almost painful beauty.
Broadway, tired out, but rather
happy when he came to think of it,
went along the old, familiar street with
a light heart. It might not be SO very
terrible to live In Jonesville. There
were trains that ran to Broadway
when the longing became irresistible,
and very possibly this might be better
as q steady diet. He was surprised to
ind himself admitting this.
Sammy was hard at it as the con
vert turned in between the two white
gate posts, each eight feet tall and
capped by a great wooden bali which
he had used as target when the snow
had been upon the ground and epacky"
in his boyhood days. Sammy did not
even look up as he entered.
Say, Sammy" he inquired, after a
moment OF attentive listening to the
production, 81 don't want to interrupt
you, but did you write that yourself?"
YES - sir"
Well" said the happy Broadway
very gravely, Il don't think it's at all
bad"
Wallace, who had strolled along be-
hind him, arrived in time to hear this.
mo, indeed, it was very good"
Very good" exclaimed the mod
est Sam. II - should - say it -
was. - good!"
Mrs. Spotswood and the Judge, hav-
Ing heard the voices, came out of the
house. where they had been awaiting
the arrival Of the u men. The
girls followed them.
Now I'll = play you an
other tune - that - made -
up - myself"
The Judge looked at his son with
that apologize tolerance with which
ne usually regarded him. He was not .
ashamed Of him; but he refused to
take him seriously. He would not even
punish him. Keep on practicing,
Sammy. You'll get there some day"
Sammy redoubled his slow and
mournful efforts, knowing in his heart.
undoubtedly, what it was he meant to
play, but communicating to no one,
either by the spoken word or n
sound he made upon the strings.
II you're doing that for me. Sam
my" Broadway suggested kindly,
don't overtax yourself. I'm willing
you should stop at any time"
Well" said the good-natured youth,
"I-got-to- practice anyhow" and
kept on plunking.
Mrs. Spotswood was annoyed. Sam.
my sometimes got upon her nerves.
We'll, go home and practice. Don't
strum at that thing here"
He looked up discontentedIy as, with
the others except jackson, she went
up the porch steps and into the house.
He sat. lingering the strings half
heartedly for a few seconds, while
Broadway watched him earnestly.
Then, from the interior, came the
sound of a piano. This stirred the
ire.
Say - keep - that - piano -
quiet will - you? Gosh shows
how much - you - know - about
= music! You can = hear "a
piano any - day. There - amt
ten good banjo - players lin
49, Connecticut!"
You're all right, Sammy" Broad
way told him reassuringly. "I don't
know how you stand with the rest of
the folks; but you're all right with
But the piano was annoying Sam. 'T
- amt going - to- stay - and
listen - to = that = darnad = old -
thing. I'm - goin' - to - take - my
banjo = and = go home!"
Broadway, with a smile, left him,
and went to join his guests within.
did Sammy presently, in answer
the pangs Of hunger, and they all
had a most extraordinary dinner.
Sam was incensed after awhile.
That piano once more began to rattle:
no one wished to hear his banjo, the
world was out Of joint. He would not
stay and sanction such mad Judgment.
He would take his banjo and go home.
"Gosh!" he muttered. That's - all
the thanks ~ - get - for -
goin' to - all - the - trouble -
Of - bringin' - my - instrument -
along -.and - everything. Some -
day - they'll - be - darned - glad
to hear me - play - when -
- get - 1t - down - good and
p~erfect!"
Sammy was at the gate between the
high balled posts when a great, lean
and powerful touring car slid gently
up before them and came to a stand.
still.
Excuse me, young man." said the
gentleman, who, upon
close inspection, proved to be an elder