St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1879-05-16

to applaud or laugb-or cry. 1t was
not lunch, for not a thing was offered
1t was not a party, for there were
neither cards nor dancing nor a recep-
ton, for nobody received. Maxwell
welcomed everybody politely, and babe
them examine freely.
They did. They did more: thev
commented with most refreshing free
dom. Some said it was a Joke nav, 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 en-
couragement.
AT ten o'clock Tom Maxwell closed
up the place and went home. He could
not exactly describe it, but he felt it
an indetinable something, a shadow, as
II he had passed under cloud. The
next day it was clear enough. He had
stepped into a social cold bath.
In ruder civilizations peoples showed
their disapprOval by quietly burning
the offending party, or they tore down
his house or exiled him, or, in the mod
ern English fashion, they broke his
windows. Nothing of this happened to
Maxwell. None the less sharp and
ei1ectual 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 Il reception
on Walnut street; he was not invited.
There was German on the hill he
received no card. At church they nod
ded distantly no more. He sat in his
pew, pale, with compressed lips, and
an unspOken prayer on his tongue.
The preacher said, "Forgive your enc
miles, and he resolved he would.
Day by day it grew worse. Acquaint
ances became strangers; friends be-
came acquaintances. The Object passed
him in the way as one would a total
stranger. He had become-whatP In
the bitterness 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 a 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 ut the door. Two ladies had
entered the stOIe-strangers and ladies.
They were lost in admiration. 1t is a
better Regent street, an improved
Broadway, Il very Palais Royal. They
emptied their pOcket-books on the
counter. Such excellent goods, and
prices They would call
again, and bring all their friends.
Not single resident of the village
entered the place all day. The follow
ing 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 respectful
ly declined. His dealings were for cash
alone. The lady-otberw person
gave him a withering look, and de-
clared she had never been so insulted
in her life, and marched ont, leaving
the goods behind her. The Others paid
cash, and went away more than pleased
at the price asked. They had never
obtained such bargains before.
The next day fourteen carriages came
from Poltham. Two came from Roburn-
dale, and one from MELVILLE. The cash
business done amounted to S275.5O for
the week. The next week it doubled.
The week after it doubled again. The
fourth week Maxwell had to consider
the purchase of 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 bargain
with Hollandish clearness. The Max
well system was accepted fully. 1t was
delightful to visit a drawing-room. to
have pretty girl make Il cup of tea
Tor you. Ay, twenty cups if you wished
and having tasted, you could buy with
Did you wish olives, figs,
sugars, cheese, or bread 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 pay. The goods will be delivered
according to sample. No one was ever
permitted to pass beyond the parlor.
Within the interior rooms the packers
filed the orders with neatness, dispatch,
and silence.
Did the purchaser wish fiour9 The
pretty girl brought tray full of sam
pies, with plates and water. One could
make Il dough, and even try it in gas
oven, if desired. Oil was shown burn
ing in lamps this light is so much IL
gallon, that so much, and so on from
lamp to lamp.
The store was reception room,
shopping a social tea-tasting, with a |
gentleman to preside. Maxwell took |
the orders, welcomed the arriving guest, |
.Ook the cash, and bade good-speed to
parting friends. They came as buyers,
and departed feeling themselves guests. |
AT home, everything turned out ex-
lctly according to sample, in more than
LIBERAL measure, and in the most ex-
luisite order, the very team being care
ully covered with white cloths. No
youths begged for orders at the
ioor; no collector rang dunning bell. |
The heather builds temple to his
gods in princely splendor, and it is said |
he pays for the work thereon. The
church is often in debt So
t was at Weston. The First Church |
vas about to be closed on account of
he unpaid interest on its debt 1t was
matter of great grief to the handful
'f people who attended there, and they
net at the church in solemn and un-
lappy mood one stormy Saturday night
o deliberate over the impossible. In
he midst of the dismal proceedings il
'mall girl timidly opened the door and
oOked in. She had letter for the
'lerk of the society. Somebody took