Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/823



musician, after spending one night in the front room which overlooked the decHvity, called to his host:

"You will think me very whimsical, no doubt, but could you without inconvenience give me a room on the other side of the house. I fancied I heard during the night a settling of sleepers and rattling of rocks. All imagination, doubtless; but if you can, please humor me."

"Do as you like," said the young householder, "but rest assured this is one of the safest houses in the city."

Scarcely had they transported the professor's effects to another room than that side of the house fell with a crash. Herz escaped by a miracle ; the young man was in despair. "I would not mind, it he exclaimed; " but my piano is gone. It was a poor one .it is true, cracked, and of only five octaves; but it answered my purpose; it was my fortune, and now there it lies smashed, and buried in the rubbish."

"Never mind," said Herz, "I have two, and you shall have one of those ; so cheer up, and repair your house, while I go and bring them up."

Passing a restaurant he met a man whom he had known in Paris, talking with two others, not extravagantly dressed, but gentlemanly hi their appearance. Accosting him, he casually spoke of his errand, and inquired whom he could get to move his pianos.

"I will do it," said his friend, "and these gentlemen will help me."

"But you are not serious?" said Herz.

" Never more so. Everybody works in California." The pianos were well and promptly moved.

" How much is it ? " asked Herz of his friend.

"Three hundred dollars," was the reply.

"Three—what?" exclaimed the musician.

"I assure you it is the price," said his friend, in which assertion he was backed by his host, so that, turning it off with a laugh, Herz paid it, and instantly sat down to reckon how many tickets to his concert,