A PIANO IN ARKANSAS. 151 



the machinery grated harshly. I'lid seemed to clamor for 

 something to he put in its m:iw. 



'' What delicious sounds ! '' said Cash. 



" Beautiful ! " observed the complacent Mercer, at 

 the same time seizing Cash's arm, and asking liini to 

 desist, for fear of breaking the instrument, or getting it 

 out of tune. 



The simple caution was sufficient ; and Cash, in the 

 joy of the moment, at what he had done and seen, look- 

 ed as conceited as Mo Mercer himself. 



Busy, indeed, was Cash, from this time forward, in 

 explaining to gaping crowds the exact appearance of the 

 piano, how he had actually taken hold of it, and, as 

 his friend Mo Mercer observed, " pulled music out 

 of it." 



The curiosity of the village was thus allayed, and 

 consequently died comparatively away ; Cash, however, 

 having risen to almost as nmcli importance as Mo Mer- 

 cer, for having seen and handled th» thing. 



Our " Northern family " knew little or nothing of all 

 this excitement ; they received meanwhile the visits and 

 congratulations of the hospitable villagers, and resolved 

 to give a grand party to return some of the kindness 

 they had received, and the piano was, for the first time, 

 moved into the parlor. No invitation on this occasion 

 was neglected ; early at the post was every visitor, for it 

 was rumored that Miss Patience Doolittle would, in the 

 course of the evening, ''perform on the piano." 



