Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-22
MIR. TOLMAN.

rich-yery rich indeed. He felt that
there was something lacking in the midst
of all his comforts; he needed new i'm
pulse, a new interest, some motive for
working and accommodating, and he took
his own eccentric way Of finding that
new incentive to work and life. He LETT
the keys with his head clerk, went to his
rooms and made his will.
People will think am crazy said
he to himself, "and if should die while
I am carry out my plan, III have the
task of defending my sanity to people
who are able to make good fight for
me-" so. with the exception of few leg
acies, he left all his property to the rich
est and most powerful charitable organic
alton in the country.
He went to ueighbcripg city, took
rooms at hotel, and walked several days
about the city IN search of what he want
ed, though that would be hard to de-
fine.
SID like to find snug little place
where l can live, and carry on some bus
mess which can attend to myself, and
which will bring me in contact with all
kinds of people-people who will inter-
est me. It must be small business,
because I don't want to work ver1 hard,
and 1t must be snug and comfortable,
because I want to enjoy It. l would like
shop O. some sort, because that brings
q man face to face with his fellow crea-
tures.f
The shop which at last appeared to
suitshim best was one which he had pass
ed and looked into several times before it
struck him favorably. The shop seemed
devoted to articles Of stationery and small
notions of various kinds, not easy to be
classified. At any rate he would go in
and look at penkniyes. The shop was in
charge of very pleasant old lady, who
sat sewing behind the counter. In the
corner, near the old lady's chair, was a
little coal stove, with bright fire in it,
and at the back of the shop, at the top OF
two steps, was glass door, partly open,
through which he saw a small loom,
with red carpet on the floor, and lit
tie table, apparently set for meal.
The old lady was friendly, soclacle
body, and very glad to have any one to
talk to, so it was not very difficult for Mr..
Tolman to draw from her great many
points about herself and her shop. Her
son was a commercial traveller, and away
from the city months at time, so it was
lonesome for her.
eff could do it, said she, 81 would
give this place up, and go and live with
my sister IN the country. Henry could
come there just as well as here when he
gets back from his trips"
sWhy don't you sell out?" asked Mr..
Tolman.
''That would not be easy said she,
with smile. "It might be long time
before we could find any one to take the
place. We have a fair trade in the store,
though 1t isn't what it used to be, and
the library Is falling off, too"
"The library" said Mr.. Tolman, "havs
you hbrary2"
ooh, yes" replied the old lady. "I've
had circulating library here for fifteen
years."
~ declare, said he. "It must be very
pleasant, TO manage a circulating libra
ry-a small one like this, I mean. l
shouldn't mind gong into d business
like this myself
The old lady looked surprised.
"Did you wish to 60 into business2"
Mr.. Toiman explained his views to
her. Few customers came in to inter-
rupted them, and they talked the matter
over very thoroughly. The bargain was
struck in few days. MIR. Tolman in
sisted on buying everything in the house,
Just as it stood. The whole thing did
not cost him, he said to himself, as much
as some of his acquaintance would pay
for horse.
He took several lessons from the old
lady, and she particularly instructed
him in the management of circulating
library.
Finally everything was settled, and Mr..
Tolman was left sole manager and pro-
prietor of notion shop and circulating
library.
"There is nothing really crazy about
thus" he SAID to himself.
Every one seemed sorry that the old
lady had gone, but Mr.. Tolman was so
pleasant and anxious to please that only
one OF the subscribers seem to take the
CuduSO fCly UiuCu W uO1ti. AhAo was q
Young man who was forty cents in
arrears. But Mr.. Tolman soon made him
comfortable about that matter, and the
young man went away perfectly satisfied
with the new librarian.
Before evening of that day Mr. Toll
man became convinced that he would
soon be obliged to employ boy, or some
one to attend the establishment while he
went to his meals, as it left the shop de-
serted and people were apt to wish to
make some purchases during meal hours.
He determined not to allow this respon-
siblty to injure his health, so at one
o'clock he boldly locked the shop door,
and went out for mis- lunch. When he
returned he found little girl with
pitcher standing at the door. She came
to borrow half pint OF milk.
"Milk" exclaimed Mr.. Tolman "Why,
my child, have no milk
"Is Mrs. Walker gone away for goods"
Eyes," replied Mr.. Tolman. 'But l
would be just as willing as she to lend
you If had any. Take these three cents,
and go and buy the milk for me around
the corner, and then you can borrow it
from me. Will that suit?"
The girl thought it would suit very
well and away she went. Even the little
incident pleased Mr.. Tolman. TWAS BIZ
very novel.