The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-05-23

what he might do, but really curing his
heart wound in silent contemplation Of
nature. Herein was he doubly wise.
| In 4 moment Of inspiration he thought
Of emigrating to New York. Other fell
lows had gone there, and had made
money; why not hep He even investi-
gated the expense Of the journey; but
something stood in the way. He loved
the Object still.
One day he happened to pass through
the main street at high noon. There
was not soul to be seen in all the
drowsy place. Some stray hens gath
cred round the overdowing water-trough
before the chief store. and solitary
COW cropped the grass along the side
walk. He was . tribe hungry, and
went up the decayed and broken steps
Of the store to purchase q lunch. The
door was locked, and he peered In Mt
the dirty windows. Was it here the
housekeepers Of Weston bought their
sugars and molasses, their teas and
spices? He felt glad he had not known
it before. What q horrible placel
Dark, dingy, confused with half-opened
boxes and barrels, . broken scale on the
counter, rows Of fiy-specked bottles on
the shelves, confusion and disorder
everywhere.
Just then man in shirt sleeves and
I frowzy hair appeared and opened the
door. Tom asked for bread and cheese.
He paid for something, took it away in
3 newspaper, and charitably bestowed
the whole Of it upon the ancient hens in
the street.
1t was . good investment. With the
purchase he gained an idea. Idess are
money to the wise. and Tom Maxwell
was wise above his generation. He
looked up ard down the sleepy street,
and contemplated the three establish
ments that supplied the village needs:
one variety place, where nails, needles
and dried fish found home; one butch
er's shop-a horrid den, full of unspeak
able denominations; and the dismal gro
Gerry.
The idea grew NJ on him rapidly. He
considered it two days, and en- re-
solved to try it. Little did be imagine
the immense social changes his decision
would involve. How could he foresee
the sights, the sneers and insulting con-
descension that would be bestowed up
on him? He saw nothing, not even the
outcome of his love experience that
would spring from his new IDEA.
The following week the village car
penter received an order to turn the
lower story OF the old Allen mansion
into something new-what, he could
not exactly comprehend. There were
to be two immense windows, with
wide door opening in.o parlor. Be-
hind this were to be two large rooms;
azza, with ample canopy and broad
steps, and with spaces for flower bor-
ders on either side.
The news spread quickly through the
village. Every body knew that Tom
Maxwell had embarked in some insane
scheme, and was tearing the Allen
mansion to pieces. Poor Yoyi his -ad
love exper .ence had injured his mind.
He vas throwing mis- money away. His
friends should interfere and save him
from ruin At night the returning mer
chants paused before the dismantled
mansion, and wondered what new folly
had broken loose in the town
Maxwell heard of these thing. and
the next morning high board fence
shut the work from view. This only
excited the greater curiosity. Every
female tongue wagged fast over Toms
consummate folly. What did he in
tend to do? Was il house, theater,
shop, or stucio'
Weeks passed. There was much
ham mering behind the high board
fence. Then came the silent painters;
and lastly one night two huge wagons
unlo AIDED sundry boxes and barrels at
the door. The same evening every fam
lily in the village, and in allthe villages
round about, received a polite invitation
to inspect, on the following night. the
new establishment.
The next afternoon At half past the
carpenters pulled down the high fence,
and displayed-well, it could not be
called any thing. Nothing like it had
ever been seen in the world-at least 50
they said; but then Weston sight never
extends beyond Boston.
There was in front q neat garden with
. graveled walk. At one side the road
passed close to the steps, 80 that car
riages came directly to the piazza. Two
immense plate-glass windows and q
double door filed the entire front Of the
lower part Ct the building. Over the
door was simple sign, or card:
Thomas Maxwell" Through the
windows could be seen tables spread
with white covers, and laid with dishes
Of the most delicate dried fruit, golden
butter, bread, cake, every thing that
could delight the heart Of the house.
keeper. The door opened upon . par
lor, carpeted, and furnished with nu-
merous chairs and small tables. Nearly
every table had some choice display Of
things desirable in a gastronomic sense.
I A toa .uru crrarod ouo corncr and bo