The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-05-15

himp 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 a wide
door opening into parlor. Behind this
were to be two large rooms, and in front
there was to be 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 dismantled
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
excited the greater curiosity. Every
consummate folly. What did he intend
to do? Was it house, theatre, shop or
studio?
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 a polite invitation to inspect, on
the following night, the new establish
ment.
The next afternoon at half past six
the carpenters pulled down the high
fence. and isplayed-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 n neat garden with
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
u 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
housekceper. The door opened upon q
numerous chairs and small tables. Near
ly every table had some choice display
desirable in q agastronomic sense.
4 tea-urn graced one corner, and beside
it stood Il 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-
scst IL store. English neatness, Partisan
elegance in 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 tea-uln. BY seven O'Clock
they began to come. At eight o'clock
there were twenty carriages at the door.
At half-past eight there were more than
Il 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 dancing; nor reception, for
nobody received. Maxwell welcomed
everybody politely, and bade them ex-
anime freely.
They did. They did more: they COM
with most refreshing freedom.
Some said it was a joke; nay, it is an
occasion for grave remonstrance. The
poor young man had lost his mind. A
i l. IL, ,nIt I,
speculation, but not one said single
word of approval, or even encourage
ment.
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
delinable something, a shadow, as if he
had passed under II cloud. The next day
it was clear enough. lie had stepped
into a social cold bath.
In ruder civilizations peoples showed
their disapproval by quietly burning off
the offending party, or they tore. down
modern English fashion, they broke his
Maxwell. None the less sharp and
eflectual were the arms used against the
social offender
They spoke to him when they must,
but 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
ho,, iag
and he resolved he would.
Day by day it grew worse. Acquaint-
ances became strangers; friends became
The Object passed him
in the way as one would total stranger
He had become whatP In the bitter
ness of his heart he cried out that all
men were cruel, all 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 a mans work?
Work! All! 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
a half. A carriage from Poltham 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, very Palais Royal. They emptied
their pocketbooks on the counter Such
excellent goods, and reasonable prices
They would call again and bring all their
friends.
Not a single resident of the village en-
tered the place all day. The following
day was Saturday. 1t rained hard, and
in the afternoon three people came in