Literature.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 193, 19 August 1904, Page 4

Literature.

THE DIFFICULTY

"You understand that I expect you to u.tot alter uiy three rooms, sweep ami dust, and «U U»t sort 01 thing, "ves" remarked Mrs Peterson; 1 SU"™ again, l fce running into somebody. And no Sir PeU'ison's sister is living wrth well, go«. The things w.W to cone after to-morrow. ( ' uod

IWiore Foster stood after her a moment; then He went into the empty sitting-room and too the large "Apartments to Let notice the front window. lie carried it UP to his own room. 1 hope it will be a long time teforelhave to see you again,;' he told it as lit put it in his desk. It was the first time for a month that he hud felt really happy. Durirg that time ho had tried to get a tenant tor his house, but had been unable to find a suitable one. It had been horribly lonely coining in at might to a cold, echoing house. But now he would have the Petersons. there, and he looked forward to ■the day after to-morrow with joy. Ho used to know Joe l'etetson, but he supposed lie wouldn't see mucluoi him, as Joe was amy from home all the week. There were children too. lie was fond of children, even if he was an old bachelor. Then 'he remembered that the children must be nearly grown up by this tinm. Well, young people were almost as good as children.

It Was the next day, while he was out taking his constitutional, that his friend Eversom, saw him and crossed the street to talk to him. "So you have got the Pcttenwns ?" he said, after they had walked some distance together. "Well, there's only one thing about them that you won t like." "What is that?" questioned. Mr, Foster. -'Tlie.ir piano." "Oh, I don't mind piano practice as some do," said Theodore easily. "In fact, I rather like it." "You haven't lived with Che Petersons yet," sudd Everson sen tenuously. "You wait a little. It's e. terribly old piano. I could get mor# music out of a brass kettle and tin pans. It's all out of tune, too ; and, yvorst of all, they keep banging away on it all the time. It's something awful ! There are three girls who itako lessons, and they keep the old thing going about nine a day." Theodore's face had lengthened during this description. "What makes them keep such an antiquity ?" he asked. "Well, you see, they're rather poor, and they can't afford anew one." Theodore walked moodily along after his friend had left bim. Then, suddenly, His lace brightened, "lean arrange matters all right," ho said, and went on more briskly.

The next morning there was considerable grumbling from the two men who movod the Petersons' 'belongings because Mr Theodore Foster insisted on helping them.

He was especially .troublesome with the placing of the piano. He insisted on haviiig it at tihe very end a! tho load, and tied it with his own hands. Whc-p the horses started he trotted beside it, and they reached the house at the same time.

It was a raw morning', and the men were putting on Jhe horses, when suddenly there came a jangling crash. They hurried to the back ot the van and found Theodore looking in/ horror and dismay at the very ■badly smashed piano. " It's all my fault" was all he managed to say More a torrent of a'buso and oaths loud and deep„overwhelmed him.

Theodore went and told Mrs. Peteruon about the •accident, and after ho had gone a loud wail rose from the three girls, .but when the household effects were moved in and the Petersons themselves went to their new home, there, m the drawingroom, vtas a beautiful, brand-new piano awaiting them. They all stood in the doorway and stared in amazement. "Mr. ; Foster had it sent," Aunt Sarah Peterson explained. She had been there attending to that end of the moving. "He said that it was due to his carelessness that the other was wrecked, he should lake the liberty

ot replacing it by this one." Aland, the eldest girl, went and tried the instrument. " lan't it beautiful ? " she cried rapturously. Time went on, and the girls practised diligently. Their aunt also took advantage of the cluanco to play so that Thoedore had all the music ihc wanted. One day T)heodora asked Maud to go with hiin to the piano shop.! " X want you to try them all," hie said, " and see if there is one you like better than the one at home." Maud tried them. " No," she declared, " there isn't one so nice." lly the way, won't you play that new walt/ffor me ? "

She seated herself at the nearest instrument and began to play. When she had finished she looked round, but Thoedore was not beside her as she had supposed. Instead she saw ■him at the far end of the room, coming towards her with a piece of paper in his hand. When he reached her he passed her the paper. "A birthday present, my deal'. I 'believe it is your birthday to-day." Maud looked at the paper blankly. Then it dawned upon her that it was u receipt for the piano at home, made out in her name. Maud would never tell her sisters what she did at that moment, but when she came houie and told them about it they 0,11 declared that Mr. Koster was a '' de a r."

•" Don't you think it would be better for you to go out of doors more Mass Sarah ?" Theodore asked her one day. " I would be greatly honoured if you would accompany me on my daily walks. It is rather, tedious going alone."

And so it became the custom of the old bachelor and the maiden aunt to walk out every day together. Hut alter a year of this Miss Sarah told him one day that she was going away for a six months' visit Theodore was filled with consternation at this -and begg-ad her to reconsider. Ho so and eloquently that she finally pressed to stay away for two weeks toda^ nShC CU ' Ue b3Ck t0 " na ™ That was the longest walk thev had taken, and towards the end of it 1-heodore said:"'My dear, there i s something I have wanted to tell vou ever since I have known you " about the ptano." ■I do't think,you will have to tell TnX'f" haw tlUle - 1 Saw VOU do it." ;Sa,w mc do it? ]>o what?" Cut the rope." He stood still and looked at her. 4 was at tho window. I had come overdo see to the things, you know, and saw you take out your knife, step up to -the hub of the wheel and cut the rope." "And you never told ?" lv"h™ : , y i° U SC ?'"' sho 9aid confused°lom' " mn S- flashed-upon me at once what you did it forthat old piano was an instrument of .torture-and that was the beginning of the-,,f bhe ond _ j think „ t•b.y th d e 0n end' mlt "' Staml what

him hC ■•ivr* 1 , a ra ' diCnt « iance «P°i him. Why, don't you aee-to-dav!'