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

tion. He had only half of hired pew
III the back row, where he sat every
Sunday with the seXton's daughters.
They did send vote of thanks, but it
came by mail. Not a 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, in derision, and in
glOriOusly burned down. The next
morning the village carpenter was bard
at work hauling lumber to the ruins.
The fire company, volunteer assOcia-
ton, composed chiefly of werking-men
and young mechanics, said, "Where.
fore do We this ?" And strai ghtway he
said, in the language of the period,
"Maxwell gim me the order, cash on the
nail" Thereupon they went with one
accord to the grocery store and gave
thee cheers for the proprietor. Per-
sons of fine mould said, "Another bid
for trade" Maxwell heard thereof,
and thought it over. Every man of the
fire company was already customer.
Moreover, nine-tenths of his trade came
from other towns and villages.
Time went on, and the new idea in
the grocery line fiourished nightly. 1t
was the wonder of the trade, and deal
ers came from afar 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 of
the period knew none of these things.
People patronized him because they
must. They came to Maxwel's because
it was pleasure. They came, and
saw, and bought much, for the business
was founded on Il recognized law of
human nature.
Meanwhile the Object lived on and
on, apparently Indifferent, but really
keenly alive to all. She attended par
ties and receptions, and heard people
speak of Maxwell only in slight and
contempt, and she heard it all in cow
ardly silence.
AT last her eyes were opened. She
was put on some charity committee in
the church to visit the poor, and, to the
surprise of all, she really did so, which
was unusual for committee-w
Every where before her had gone an
other. He had thought his ways un-
known, but the widow and fatherless
were gIrrulous in his praise. She came
back Il wiser and happier woman.
That night there was reception al
one of the most fashionable houses
The parlor was full when she entered
and she made her way slowly to the
side of the hostess. Just us she stood
by the hostess, at the head of the room,
a young male person, in the wholesale
millinery line, remarked that some per-
sons doings were quite on a level with
Maxwelfs.
"What do you mean by that ?" said a
clear soprano beside him.
A sudden hush fell on the ROOM
81 mean that Il man who would do
that is not fit TO enter society. He is
us low down as Maxwell the grocery
man, and such cattle.n
Thereupon there was Il general laugh
through the room. Why the people
should laugh was not clear. 1t pro-
duced, however, surprising effect.
"Mr. Maxwell is II gentleman whom
you can well afford to pattern"
AT once there was another laugh, but
ia IA different key
''Ihank yOu, miss. | never consider
such creatures"
sit were wiser in you if you did. Mr..
Maxwell is a Christian gentleman and
church debt who rebuilt the engine
house; who gave the new books to the
library who helped the widow Valen-
tine who helped the Frost family in
their distress who has been friend to
the helpless; who laid ont the little
park at the corner"
"Whe keeps grocery store" put in
the male person.
AT this some laughed, but there was
well defined murmur of dissent, and
the laugh died away.
"Who taught you how to keep a store
honestly; who has borne Sights and
insults because he chose to do a mans
work in the world; who
She was only woman. She did not
finish the sentence, for she actually
tainted away, and would have fallen
had not the male person caught her.
Never had there been greater sensa-
ton 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
certain direction, said, spitefully, ''Oh
yes; it's well enough now he is rich.r
The Object revived just in time to
hear this, and said to the small creature.
81 have been IL fool-like the lest.r
Here was fine state of affairs. Max
well rich, and publicly defended by
one of the most fashionable girls in
town. He must be cultivated. Within
a week he received dozen invitations
to teas, dances, kettle-drums and re-
ceptions. He smiled to himself at each,
and refused them all with thanks.
The news of the Objects bold defense
came to him quickly. Was she the OBJ
ject still A? OF that there was no doubt.
Did she care for him 1t might be, and
yet 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 a
man of the world. He asked for Max
Wells store, and was shown to the pa1-
lors on Main Street. He stood before
the place and gazed and gazed. Then
he went in, and asked permission to
sit while and observe the trade. He
sat there three hours. Then, in IL lull
in the business, he rose and said to Max
well, young man this will not do.
You are hiding your ideas under
bushel. Come out into the world where
you will be recognized. Pm not a man
of words, but if half million will help
you to open dozen stores of this kind
in Chicago, Milwaukee, Columbus.
Louisville, Omaha, San Francisco, or
where else you wish, Pm your man.
Will you go ?"
Eyes, Sir. If every thing is correct.n
every thing is correct. There are
my card and references. Pll call TO-