The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-05-17

sexton : daughters. They did send a vote
of thanks, but it came by mail. Not Il
soul spoke to him about. it save the old
minister. Some said it was bid for
trade.
Shortly after this the fire engine house
took fire i'll derision, and ingloriously
burned down. The next morning the
village carpenter was hard at work haul
ing lumber to the ruins. The fire com
pany, volunteer association, composed
chiefly of working men and young me-
chanics said Wherefore do We this?''
And straightway he said, in the language
of the period, Maxwell GIN me the or
der. cash on the nail Thereupon they
went with one accord to the grocery store
and gave three cheers for the proprietor.
Persons of fine mould said. Another
bid for trade" Maxwell heard thereof.
and thought it over Every man of the
fire company was already a customer.
Moreover. nine-tenths of his trade came
from other towns and villages.
Time went on, and the new idea in the
grocery line tlourished nightly. 1t was
the wonder of the trade and dealers came
from atar to see how the thing was done.
Sensible fathers from the city came with
requests that their sons be taught the
new business. 1t was a new business. for
the grocery-man of the period knew none
of these things. People patronized him
because they must. They came to Max
wells because it was a pleasure. They
came. and saw. and bought much, for the
business was founded on recognized
law of human nature.
Meanwhile the Object lived on and on.
apparently indifferent. but really keenly
alive to all. She attended parties and
receptions, and heard people speak of
Maxwell only in slight and contempt, and
she heard it all i'll cowarlly silence.
At last her eyes We're opened. She was
put on some charity committee in the
church to visit the poor. and, to the sur
prise of all. She really did So which was
unusual for committce-wonan. Every
where before her had gone another. He
had thought his ways unknown, but the
widow and fatherless We're galrulous in
his praise. She came back a wiser and
happier woman.
That night there was reception at one
of the most fashionable houses. The
parlor was full when she entered and she
made way slowly to the side of hostess
just as she stood by the hostess. ut the
head of the room, a young male person.
i'll the wholesale millinery line. remarked
tliStl SoliiI l'SlNoii . 'ttliioH "SlS Itllc VII
a level with MaxwelrS.
What do you mean by that?" said
clear soprano beside him.
A sudden hush fell on the ROOM
Il mean that man who would do that
is not fit to enter society. He is as low
down as Maxwell, the grocery-man, and
such cattle.
Thcreupon there was 4 general laugh
through the room. Why the people
should laugh was not clear. 1t produced.
however. a surprising effect.
Mr.. Maxwell is gentlman whom you
can we'll afford to pattern.
At once there was another laugh. but
in a different key.
Thank you. miss. l never consider
such creatures.
1T were wiser in you if you did. Mr.
Maxwell is Il Christian gentleman and
man-who paid the interest on the church
debt: who rebuilt the engine-house: who
gave the new books to the library: who
helped the widow Valentine; who helped
the Frost family in their distress: who
saved the Clarks from positive starvation:
who has been a friend to the helpless
who laid out the little park at the
corner
who keeps grocery store" put in
the male person.
At this some laughed, but there was Il
wel-detned murmur of dissent, and the
laugh died away.
"Who taught you how to keep store
honestly: who has borne Sights and in
suits because he chose to do mans
work i'll the world; who
She was only woman. She did not
finish the sentence. for she actually faint
ed away, and would have fallen had not
the male person caught her. Never had
there been a greater sensation in Weston.
The ladies gathered near. with salts and
words Of sympathy. The men stood
apart in silence, for they were ashamed.
\ very small female person, who had
been known to cast greedy eyes in Il GER
it 5 well enough now he is rich.
The Object revived just in time to hear
this. and said to the small creature. Il
have been a fool-like the rest"
Here was a fine state of affairs. Max
well rich. and publicly defended by one
of the most fashionable girls in town.
lie must be cultivated. Within week
he received dozen invitations to teas.
dances. kettle drums. and receptions
He smiled to himself at each, and refused
them all with thanks.
The news of the Object bold defense
came to him quickly. Was she the OBJ
ject stilln Of that there was no doubt.
Did she care for him: ii might he. and
vet what could he do? He canvaSsed the
whole ground. and wisely resolved to do
nothing.
Events gallop in these days. There
came one to the village who seemed
man of the world He asked for Max
wells store. and was shown the parlors
on Main street He stood before the
place. and gazed and gdzed. Then he
went in. and asked permission to sit
while and observe the trade. He sat
there three hours. Then. III ull of
business. he rose and said to Maxwell.
Young man, this will not do. You are
hiding your ideas under 4 bushel Come
out into the world where you will be
recognized. I'm not man Of words but
if half million will help you to open a
dozen stores of this kind in Chicago. Mil
waukee Columbus, Louisville. Omaha.
San Francisco. OF where else YOU wish.
I'm your man. VIII you go?
Yes sir. If every thing is correct
'.Everything is correct. There are my
card and references. III call Tomorrow
with my lawyer and the papers.
Thereupon he presented his card, and
withdrew. The next day the store had
changed hands, for there were parties
already waiting 10 buy it. The evening
train that connects with the Western
Express stopped at the little station and
took up a young lady and gentleman.
The few people who stood near smiled in
that friendly way bestowed on people
about to be married, and then they were
gone. The train pulled slowly out of the
town, and young lady, fair to see, lean
ed out of the window and said:
Good-by, little village. love you,
because you are an excellent place to emil
glate from. Then she turned to her
companion and said, - | am glad Tom.
we are going into the great world
so am |. for it is Gods world where
ever We 60
The new man ran the store Just six
months, and failed. He was only Il gro
ceryman. with a groceryman's narrow
views. His failue was perfectly logical.
A MEAN ADVANTAGE.