The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-09-02
MYSTERY OF MADAM
0'TOOLE'S PIANO
A Novelette, Of Cape Colony Mystery and
Adventure Regarding a Piano With a
Gh0stIy and Perverted Habit Of Getting
Out of 0rder---and its Final Solution.
By The Baron

We have read of David Living.
stone and his adventures in Africa,
also of H. S. Landor Across Wild
est Africa" and last but not least
of HIM. Stanley who spent many
years of travel in Africa, for Africa
is termed the dark and gloomy con-
tinent. But in time to come it will
probably equal America or any
other large country. They are at
present building a railway 5000
miles long across 65 degrees of lat
itude. invading a score of climates.
1t has one of the largest rivers in
the world, where wild beasts in
their primitive state may be seen
any hour of the day, statistics say
that you will be able to travel from
Cairo to Capetown in twelve days.
1t is of the latter town that the story
fully explicates the troubles of a
piano tuner. Let il be understood
that a piano tuners occupation has
got the book agent behind the map
when it comes to problematical diff
ficulties. Neither of the twain ever
lives a day without encountering
some unfortunate domestic mishap,
at times it falls to the tuners lot to
hear unmerciful criticism which de-
velops such velocity toward the
vulnerable pericardlum that spas.
modic contortiOn invests the visage.
Monsieur Jean De La Mare ar
rived in Cape Town as other jobless
men do, but unlike Roland Yore, he
did not bring with him case Of
frying pans, but instead, he brought
nice set of tuning tools with a
full equipment of accessories which
every tuner should possess. Hav-
ing found a suitable apartment he
bought the Cape Argus and upon
glancing through the want adds he
beamed with satisfaction at the fol-
lowing: Wanted A competent
tuner-Salesman. Salary and COM
mission. Apply to the Jack o. Lam
tern Piano Co., Adderly St.
Jean hied his way toward the
Emporium and sent in his card to
the manager, who. in turn. request
ed his presence at his office. After
the usual formalities had been dis
pensed with, Jean was engaged,
and told to report the following
morning for duty. 1t was stroke
of luck" soliloquized he as he strut
ted slowly homewards, little think
ing of the difficulties he would have
to meet on the morrow.
Nine a. m. found our Paladim
at the appointed rendezvous, where
he was handed his route-card. Up
on scrutinizing same, he discovered
Madam O'Toole marked: XXX,
please refer to obtuse ledger.
Where do you keep the obtuse
ledger?" asked he of one of the tun-
ers.
Why, right on the top shelf in
the Curio office" smiled the tuner
What case is it?' enquired the
tuner. One, Madam O'Toole," !"
answered our hero with prompti-
tude.
WELL" concluded the salesman
as he lit his pipe and walked away.
Il wish you all the joy in Wynburg
for it is there she resides with her
beautiful daughter Molly, said to be
the first girl in Cape Colony. But.
err you'll find the ledger where l
told you" smiled he as he disap-
peared.
Young De La Mare hesitated just
for moment, something seemed to
strike him with urusual mental
force that there was something rad
ically wrong in the matter. Gin
gerly he picked up the book. and
scanning the list alphabetically, he