The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-12-19

"Perhaps not" said Mrs. Hart as she
began to put on her bonnet and cloak.
She was, perhaps, the poorest person of
refinement and education In the town
and the most benevolent. She was a
widow, whose only dover were boy of
IL and girl Of o years. BY sewing al
most night and day she managed to keep
the wolf out of sight.
Accompanied by Robby she went over
to Hunts to see the hermit, and at once
knew that he was sick unto death. AS
the sled which was to transport him to
Johnstown drew up at the door Mrs.
Hart touched the arm Of Judge Russell,
who seemed to be clothed with more
authority just then than any of the other
prominent citizens" who lowered about,
and said:
II will take care of Weaver If you will
send him to my house. He is a very sick
man, already greatly exhausted by his
journey down the mountain. The drive
to Johnstown might kill him."
"Really, Mrs. Hart, you're always do
ing too much for Others Young DR..
Clay was in here bit ago, and he said
the old fellow oughtn't to be moved so
far. But you'd better think twice before
you take him. He'll be an awful
charge"
81 know that" she answered; "but ]
will take him and do the best I can for
him." So the hermit was put upon the
sled and delivered at Mr. Harris like a
bale of merchandise. The Widows I'M
selfishness hndled n temporary flame of
the same nature in other breasts, and for
the moment volunteer help was plenty.
She took advantage of some of this to get
her patient bathed and barbered and put
to bed in n comfortable, Christian way.
Then began for her weeks of care,
work and anxiety. The sewing machine
was silent, with tho unpleasant conse-
quence Of low finances. Contributions to
the comfort of the sick man fell away as
time passed and the affair became an
old story. Young DR.. Clay alone re.
manned faithful. The donations of others
had dwindled down to advice. All in all
Mrs. Hart had ga hard pull of it."
At last the hermit became GONZALES
cent. Finding himself in home where
refinement and kindness prevailed, he
fell into the ways Of its inmates as nat
urally as il he had been accustomed to
civilization all his life. He talked gent
ally and charmingly, and seemed pos
sessed of as much information as any
man of the world. Clad in his right
lllult anu COHNcutiuildl ClObuCS, ne lObt
his character Of hermit entirely. Many
Of the signs of age, too had disappeared
under the good offices OF the tailor and
the barber. He did not look day over 40.
He was quite well now, but he showed
no disposition to return to his semi-sav-
age life, SO far as any enc outside of Mrs.
Harris home knew.
Christmas was almost at hand. Hills
ford was busy buying its presents and
getting up festivities. At Mrs. Harris
the preparations were on scale so
simple that they were almost pathetic.
Two days before Christmas the town
had something new to talk about. A
middle aged gentleman and lady of the
upper class, apparently, arrived at the
Hillsford hotel and asked for Weaver.
While they rested and dined they were
RECALLED with the story of the hermit's
queer doings, the Intellectual attempt to
send him to the poorhouse, the widow
Harris interference and everything
Then they were piloted TO the Hart door,
and for two days afterward, although
the town was almost eaten up by curios
ity, it could find out nothing at all about
them.
IL got the whole story on Christmas
H. Ill. I'll