Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-05-13


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 a wide
door opening into a parlor. Behind this
were to be two large rooms, and in front
there was to be a wide piazza, with
ample canopy and broad steps, and with
spaces for flower borders on either side.
The news spread quickly through the
village. Everybody knew that Tom
Maxwell had embarked in some insane
scheme, and was tearing the Allen man.
sion to pieces, Poor boy his sad love
experience had injured his mind. He
was throwing his money away. His
friends should interfere and save him
from ruin. At night the returning mer-
chants paused before the disn1antled
mansion, and wondered what new folly
had broken loose in the town.
Maxwell heard of these things, and
the next morning a high board fence
shut the work from view. This only
excited the greater curiosity. Every
female tongue wagged fast over Tom S
consummate folly. What did he intend
to do? Was it house, theatre, shop or
studio? 8 9s' s 1as it
Weeks passed. There was much ham,
mering behind the high fence. Then
came the silent painters; and lastly one
night two huge wagons unloaded sundry
boxes and barrels at the door. The
same evening every family in the village.
and in all the villages round about, re-
ceived polite invitation to inspect, on
the following night, the new establish
ment Fertru ruffF,fs-ff
The next afternoon at half past six
the carpenters pulled down the high
fence and displayed-well, it could not
be called anything. Nothing like it had
ever been seen in the world-at least so
they said but then Weston sight never
extends beyond Boston.
There was in front a neat garden with
n graveled walk. At one side the road
passed close to the steps, SO that carriages
came directly to the piazza. Two i'm
mense plate-glass windows and double
door filled the entire front of the lower
part Of the building. Over the door was
4 simple sign, or card: ''Thomas Max
we'll" Through the windows could be
seen tables spread with white covers, and
laid with dishes ofthe most delicate dried
fruit, golden butter, bread, cake, every
thing that could delight the heart of the
llousekeeper. The door opened upon a
parlor, carpetedg--and furnished with
numerous chairs and small tables. Near
" every table had some choice display
fittings desirable in a gastronomic sense.
4 tea-urn graced one corner, and beside
it stood a cof1ee-urn, while on the table
before it were cups, sugar and spoons.
Two doors at the back led to large rooms
completely filled with tables loaded with
foreign and domestic groceries. No
counters, no shelves, not thing to sug-
gest a store. English neatness, Partisan
elegancein arrangement, American con-
venience everywhere.
A pretty girl (from Boston, sat by the
door to receive the guests. Two stout
young fellows from Maine) were ready
in the rear room, and Maxwell himself
sat by the te;-urn. BY seven O'Clock
they began to come. At eight o'clock
there were twenty carriages at the door.
At haif-past eight there were more than
a hundred, and the place was packed.
The whole affair was a surprise. WeS-
ton did not know what to do, whether
to applaud or laugh-or cry. Itwas not
a lunch, for not thing was offered; it
was not a party, for there were neither
cards nor dancingi nor 2 reception, for
nobody received. Maxwell welcomed
everybody politely, and bade them ex-
anime freely.
They did. They did more: they COM
mented with most refreshing freedom.
Some said it was joke; nay, it is an
occasion for grave remonstrance. The
poor young man had lost his mind. A
few older heads said it might be a good
speculation, but not one said single
word Of approval, or even encourage
ment. = u fe eTs
At ten o'clock Tom Maxwell closed up
the place and went home. He could not
exactly describe it, but he felt it-an in
definable something, a Shadow, as ii he
had passed under a cloud. The next day
it was clear enough. He had stepped
into social cold bath.
In ruder civilizations peoples showed
their disapproval byquietly burning off
the offending party, or they tore down
modern English fashion, they broke his
Maxwell None the less sharp and
effectual were the arms used against the
social offender aeTE 10 ssaia1iste 4a
They spoke to him when they must,
but 8 No need to describe it in detail.
He had totally lost position. Days and
nights passed. There was reception on
Walnut street; he was not invited.
There was German on the hill; he re-
ceived no card. At church they nodded
distantly; no more. He sat in his pew,
pale, with compressed lips, and an un-
spoken prayer on his tongue. The
preacher said, Forgive your enemies" T"
and he resolved he would.
Day by day it grew worse. Acquaint-
ances became strangers; friends became
acquaintances. The Object passed him
in the way as one woulda total stranger.
He had become what? In the bitter
ness of his heart lie cried out that all
men were cruel, al women selfish and
hard Of heart He bit his lips to repress
the mingled tears and modification.
What had he done? Was he not man
doing mans work ? 3 - Af-A5Jlia
Work. Ahi that was the thing. He
would work, and forget these creatures.
The first day the store was open the
entire sales amounted to one dollar and
half. A carriage from sPoltham had
stopped at the door. Two ladies had
entered the store-strangers and ladies.
They were lost in admiration. 1t is a
better Regent street, an improved Broad
way, a very Palais ROYAL. They emptied
their pocketbooks on the counter Such
excellent goods, and reasonable prices
They would call again and bring all Their