Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1919-12-10
The Bell Piano
BY OTTILIA r. PFEIFFER

peieet rest LOT mind and body-and
you will come out new man." pro
nounced DR.. John Burt.
Which means give up thinking and
i've only to eat and Sleep" submitted
Ellis Warren disconsolately.
That's about it. You will have to
change If you continue to poster your
brain with inventions. Of course
something easy, idle, entertaining, q
pleasure instead of task, is all right.
So Ellis Warren went down to Lith.
con, a pretty countryside hamlet, and
found just the place that suited him
rough, but comfortable summer
bungalow with spacious porch,
trout stream at the door, the grand
Old mountains back of it.
One day on a jaunt he passed
through the county seat and was at.
tracted by sale going on at the in
stlgation of the local hotelkeeper. A
stranded company had become delin.
quent and boniface was realizing on
their effects at auction. The odds and
ends of trumpery did not greatly al
tract Warren until a string of musical
bells was offered. They comprised
the outfit of some unfortunate artist
their clear, ringing tones pleased him
and he bid them in.
Just the thing" he unused with sat
isfaction. Il see my way clear to en-
JOY some inventive occupation for a
week or two, building a bell piano."
The broad porch was transformed
into workshop. Warren's knack as
an inventive genius stood him in good
stead. He constructed a frame, sup
piled it with broad wooden keys, con
nected them with spring wires to the
sounding board and had an expert
mental concert all to himself.
The result was most pleasing Not
only were the bells superior in timber,
and resonance, but there was a mel
low echo to their vibrations that
pierced the surrounding woodland
and died away in the most exquisite
melody.
One afternoon Warren awoke in the
hammock just in the humor to put on
tune at his bell piano. Seated be-
fore it he struck out a simple pretty
dance tune. Half way through with
1t he turned at the sound of merry
childish voices. CHANGING over to q
nearby clearing he made out half Il
dozen little figures dancing in time
with the music. They wore garlands
of flowers, and nearby was their chap
eron, a lovely young girl of about
eighteen. She waved her hand in
rhythm with the music and smiled in
diligently upon her little brood, evi,
IDENTIFY on picnic lark. In the hazy,
ambient air the picture of grace and
| beauty seemed almost unreal to War
rem. He ceased playing. Two auda-
| cious little ones came running up to
the porch.
"Oh, dear, mister!" pleaded one OF
them, please don't stop the beautiful
music and after resuming at the bell
piano and pausing later, Warren found
that the entire group, the young lady
included, had come directly up to the
porch. Her expressive face showed
genuine pleasure as she said:
How can we thank you for this I'M
expected treat, and what beautiful
harmonies your strange instrument
produces"
Warren invited his welcome visitors
to the screened porch. The unexpect-
ed companionship put him on his me-
tie. There were lemons and ice on
hand, an unopened box of chocolates.
and soon he had his juvenile friend :;
in high delight, while he conversed
with Miss Ava Dallas.
"How l would like dear Harold to
hear your wonderful musical crea
ton" she spoke longingly. "He is my
brother, cripple, and loves music. |
think he could learn to play your bell
piano, with its broad keys and simple
scale. Which resulted in Warren in
sisting that Harold be brought upon
the scene the next day. All the gloom
Of helpless Illness left the shadow Ell
face of the afflicted lad as he heard
the wonderful piano. He acted like II
new being when, after an hours effort
he was able to pick out quite per-
feet tune.
Then Warren became regular Wis
itor at the handsome country mansion.
and one day he made Harold frantic
with delight as he had the bell piano
conveyed to the cripples home. You
see, an inventor tires of his toy oncr
his work is DONE" he Insisted, land
YOU enjoy it so much. Take 1t as a
welcome gift"
"Oh, Mr.. Warren" spoke Ava. meet
ing him near the river one day, you
don't know what you have done 70
brighten the life of Harold. There
was war meeting at the village last
evening, and papa arranged to have
the bell piano and Harold taken there.
And Harold played all the PATRIOTS
tunes, and JUST thrilled the audience
and he is so proud and happy to think
10 fs no no