ADVENTURES OF A PIANO.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2165, 25 February 1880, Page 2

ADVENTURES OF A PIANO.

TOWN EDITION.

A singular story of a piano comes to hand. Some time ago an accomplished musician, Avhom avc shall call Herr Thumper, finding business dull, raffled his instrument—a half grand—-Avliich, having undergone severe ivear, Avas in a rather tuneless condition. As luck would have it, the lucky throAver Avas a prominent Philharmonist, and this gentleman, believing thirty bank-notes Avould be preferable to the musical notes of his acquisition, sold it for that sum to a linn of auctioneers and dealers. From the latter it found itsivay to a importing linn in New Zealand, whose name and style, to avoid unpleasantness, avc will not mention. This occurred several months ago. Noav for the sequel. Herr Thumper Avas travelling the other day with a.musical/company, wlien lie happened to call at a wayside township Avhcrc the only place for entertainments is a Toavh Hall belonging to a public company. Besides the ball a grand piano Avas hired, /and Herr Thumper proceeded to examine it. “ Wly,” said ho, critically surveying his instrument, “I’m blmved if that isn’t my old half grand that I raffled at , a,, few, months ago.” “ Can’t be,” replied the hallkeeper “that piano belongs to.the-Towu Hall Company, and is a ncAvly-imported instrument Avhich they recently paid £l5O to Messrs , for” “Well,” replied Herr Thumper, “ That may he a newly imported, instrument of the Company, hut it can’t deny its identity. It’s the old half grand which I’ve hired and raffled, and played on till I Avas sick and tired of my life.”— Herr Thumper is doav on his travels, and the story of his piano is operating like an eye-opener on many a. musical circle, Avcrc the tricks of trade have hitherto been unsuspected.