The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-05-17
but then Weston sight never extends be-
ynnl BOSTON.

graveled walk. At one side the road
passed close to the steps, SO that car
riages came directly to the piazza. Two
immense plate-%lass windows and Il dou-
BILE door filled the entire front of the
lower part Of 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 parlor, carpeted, and furnished
with numerous chairs and small tables.
Nearly every table had some choice dis
play of things desirable in a gastronomic
sense. A tea-urn graced one corner. and
beside it stood a cotfee-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 load
ed with foreign and domestic groceries.
No counters. no shelves, not thing to
suggest a store. English neatness, Par
isian elegance i'll arrangement, American
convenience every where.
A pretty girl Qrom Boston) sat by the
door to receive the guests. Two stout
Young fellows (from Maine) We're ready
in the rear room, and Maxwell himself
sat bv the tea-urn, By seven o'clock
they began to come. At eight o'clock
there We're twenty carriages at the door.
At half-past eight there We're more than
a hundred, and the place was packed.
The whole affair was surprise. Wes-
ton did not know what to do, whether to
applaud or laugh-or cry. 1t was not a
lunch, for not thing was offered; it was
not party, for there We're neither cards
nor dancing: nor 4 reception, for nobody
received Maxwell welcomed everybody
politely, and babe them examine freely.
They did. They did more: they COM
mented with most refreshing freedom.
Some said it was a joke; nay, it is an
occasion for grave remonstrance. The
Door young man had lost his mind. a
few older heads said it might be good
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 tan in
detinable something, a shadow, as if he
hal passed under a cloud. The next day
it was clear enough. lie had stepped
into social cold bath.
In ruder civilizations people showed
their disapproval by quietly burning the
offending party. or they tore down his
house or exiled him, or. in the modern
English fashion, they broke his windows.
Nothing of this happened to Maxwell.
None the less sharp and etlectual 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 a 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 preach
er said, " Forgive your enemies" and he
resolved he would.
Day by day it grew worse. Acquaint-
ances became strangers; friends became
acquaintance. The Object passed him
on the way as one would total stranger.
He had become-what? 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 torrepress
the mingled tears and notification
What had he done? Was he not man
doing man s 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 Potham had
stopped at the door. Two ladies had ell
tered 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 pocket books ON the counter. Such
excellent goods. and reasonable prices.
They would call again. and bring all their
friends.
Not single resident of the village ell
tered the place all day. The following
day was Saturday. 1t rained hard and in
the afternoon three people came in for
sundry goods. One lady made out quite
an order, and asked that it be put on the
books. Maxwell respectfully declined.
His dealings were for cash alone. The
lady-otherwiscp erson-gave him with
ering look. and declared she had never
been so insulted in her life. and marched
out, leaving the goods behind her. The
others paid cash, and went away more
than pleased at the prices asked They
had never obtained such bargains before
The next day fourteen carriages came
from Poltham. Two came from Robum-
business done amounted to S215.50 for
the week. The next week it doubled.
The week after it doubled again. The
fourth week Maxwell had to consider the
purchase of a new team to deliver the
goods.
Six months passed, and the business of
the store exceeded the business of all the
other stores combined One of them had
failed. and the other had actually been
scrubbed and painted. Such is the force
of example. And still the wonder grew.
Weston has thrifty mind 1t can see
cent in 4 bargain with Hollandsh clear
ness. The Maxwell System was accepted
fully. 1t was delightful to visit draw
ing room, to have pretty girl make a
cup Of tea for you. Ay. twenty cups if
you wished and having tasted, you
could buy with knowledge. Did you
wish olives, figs sugars. cheese. OF breado
Sit down and try them. This is so much,
that so much. These are the samples.
Eat, test, ponder. and select You can
not see the goods: food in the mass is es-
sentially vulgar. This is ALL Select and
paT. The goods will be delivered accord
ing to sample. No one was ever permit
ted to pass beyond the parlor. Within
the interior rooms the packers filled the
VI Will iettliiSSS. ulSpatcll. ana
silence.
Did the purchaser wish houro The
pretty girl brought a tray full of samples.
with plates and water One could make
dough, and even try it in gas oven. if
desired. Oil was shown burning in
lamps; this light is SO much gallon.
that so much, and so on from lamp to
lamp.
The store was reception room. shop
ping social tea tasting. with a gentle
man to preside. Maxwell took the or
dcrs, welcomed the arriving guest. took
the cash, and babe good-spec,i to parting
friends. They came rs buyers. and de-
parted feeling themselves guests.
At home. every thing turned out cy-
actly according to sample, in more than
liberal measure, and in the most exquisite
order. the very team being covered with
white cloths. No uncouth youths BEGGED
for orders at the door: no collector rann
4 dunning bell.
The hesthen builds temple to his gods
i'll princciy splcndor and it is said he
pays for the work thereon. The Chris
tian's church is often in debt. So it was
at Weston. The First Church was about
to be closed on account of the unpaid in
terest on its debt. 1t was a matter of
great grief to the handful of people who
attended there. and they met at the
church in solemn and unhappy mood one
stormy SATURDAY nirbt to dnI;bor,t., ,,.-e..