The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-25
AT THE LIBRARY.
Another Book Taken Away, Probably for
Good.-Inci lents.


The rain of yesterday made the
Hearst Free Library a popular resort
for those who had leisure hours. The
attendance and patronage of this in
stitution has never Jagged for a single
day since II was opened.
Librarian Clark ana Miss Tracy are
always there and the calls for books
and papers for patrons keep them both
busy for the most or the time. About
100 books per day are circulated and
the reference books are in almost con-
slant demand.
The policy which Mrs. Hearst adopt
ed of putting the patrons of the library
on honor to return books. requiring no
deposit or guarantee, has been most
successful. After Fights months of use,
in which time more than a thousand
cards have been issued. of which num-
Der 500 are constant readers, only five
books have been lost and hope is not
entirely gone from these. AS was re-
ported some months ago, two books
were missing, which were taken by
Butte's notorious long and short men,
Howard and White who are now doing
time at the penitentiary. The books
they had taken were credited to profit
and loss by Librarian Clark until four
months later the missing volumes were
returned by persons who found the
books in a lodging house. The friends
who found them have earned a CRATE
full recollection in the hearts of all An
aconda's people who take pride in
maintaining the honor which the gen.
erous donor of the library has be-
slowed upon them.
Since those We're returned another
book has disappeared. 1t was issued to
Prof" T. j. Dempsey. who figured for
a time as instructor in the manly art
at the Athletic club gymnasium. He
left town C1I1nanlV nVkrfpn CtInAf.x a
itors and taking portable property of
the club with him: also a copy of OAR
wins Descent of Man" from the IL
brary. This is regarded as a coinci-
dence and has led to all sorts of COM
ment by the funny fellows who criti-
else Dempsey's latest exposition of the
manly art; they comment that perhaps
the professor is the missing link, !"
and others more wrathful declare that
there would be no need 10 write a book
on the Descent of Dempsey" IL he
were within reach of the law.
A maid of uncertain years happened
into the library one day not long ago
and after looking all about up stairs
and down finally approached the wicket
window. She was not bashful, and her
figure was almost rotund.
II was just a-thinking," said she,
that I'd like to get something to
read"
Have you got a card" politely asked
the librarian.
mo; but thought I'd call and look
over what you had"
I'VE have all kinds OF books-fiction.
history or biography. What would
you like?"
Have you any of Laura Jean Lib
bey's novels?"
Not any" said Mr.. Clark. blandly,
as he drew a card from the desk.
ANY OF Mary ]. Holmes novels?"
mo. ma'am; but we have George
Eliots works complete. Would not
one OF those be better?"
Il don't like that mans style: he is
too much agin the men," said she.
You might give me one OF Bertha
Clay's."
sorry. ma'am, but we have no books
by that author"
Well don't b'lieve you've got eny-
thing in here worth reading. Have You
got any novels by the Duchess"
NO, ma'am."
Have you got Fat. Fair and
Forty?'"
This was too much for the equanimity
of the accommodating bookman, the
eitle was so much like his client. that