St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-02-17
The MATCHMAKER

Inc WAII0MANck
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ONWARD FEM occupied the posi-
tion of matchmaker in large an,
prosperous jewelry store. He was
man much envied by the clerks in tn,
store, for, as~an expert, he demanded
and received generous salary. Th'
clerks all spoke of him, however, al
odd Fenn," and. because they had littl,
in common with him, they regarded
him as most unsocial being.
In reality he was shy, retiring man
nearly 45 years of age; anxious to b,
friendly, but unaware of the bes'
method to adopt, finding it easier to bs
silent, lost in his own thoughts, than t.
exert himself and enter in with the cha,
of the lads behind the counters. HI
seemed to be always alone; patient, sol
ftary, and content to live out his life
in the same narrow groove in which i,
ran, apparently waiting only for the
death that would make so little differ
enee to any human being except him
self.
II can't understand what you think
of all day, Fann,' his employer had said
to him once, and Fem had looked up
with his rare, singularly sweet smile
and said:
"Mr. White, have you never had a
past?"
That was all anyone within the store
knew of Fem. His landlady found him
most excellent tenant, who paid
promptly for his one small room, and
never found fault, even on the cooks
day out. No one had ever seen him an
CRY, but, on the contrary, no one had
ever seen him Joyous. His life ran on
evenly, as undisturbed as any clock un-
der his watchful eye. He appeared
each morning on the stroke of eight,
and departed with equal promptness
when the store closed for the night.
His luncheons he had eaten at the same
restaurant for Is years. Except for the
fact he did his work with minuteness
of m extraordinary kind, he appeared
tho mostcommonplacei individual in the
city.
One bright spring morning, when the
sun poured in through the broad win
dows, turning the jewels displayed
there to liquid fire, and when the soft
wind came putting in at the doors as
though determined 10 lure away every
restless clerk for a frolic in the coun-
try, Mr.. Fem paused for moment to
speak to one of the men.
Good morning." he said. courteous
IL, ''can you tell me what the date is?'
''The 18th of May" replied the one ad-
dressed, somewhat surprised at this de-
rartYre from Mr.. Fenn's usual rule.
''Thank you. 1t is, as thought, my
birthday"
There was a moments pause before
smother spoke up. cheerfully:
"Many happy returns of the day,
sir!"
"Eh? o, thank you. 1t is a long time
since anyone wished me that" and so
saying, Mr.. Fem passed on to his table
In the corner, with his usual impassive
mien:
"Poor old Fenn," the clerk said, COM
I,assionately. II dare say he is lonely"
As the morning wore away towards
DON, young woman entered the shop
and approached Mr.. Fenn's desk. He
glanced up with his customary look of
quiet attention, which changed sudden
ly to one of keen interest as he eagerly
scanned the newcomers face.
sis this the Matchmaker" she asked.
ayes"
81 have a watch here, which won't
20 / wish you would look it over and
tell me what the trouble is"
With hands that shook Mr.. Fem took
from her an old-fashioned silver watch.
'''rhis is not yours?" he said.
mo, my sisters"
'Then 1 am right; you must be little
Lucy!"
my name is Lucy, but" she hest
tated.
"You don't remember me? Well.
child, you naturally would not. have
changed since you saw me. Tell me-
did you ever hear" he paused a mo-
ment, then continued-'your sister
speak of Edward Fenn?'
"Mr. Fenn!" she cried "You are not
the Mr.. Fem I used to call Uncle Edo"
eyes," he answered, smiling, sadly,
"aud your sister. Is she-well?"
20, yes, quite well. 1t must be a long
time since You have seen herr"
ssTwenty years." Mr.. Fem said. quiet
". Twenty long years. She probably
has forgotten me. Her-her husband
Is living, SUPPOSE"
"Husband? Ellen has never mar
ried."
.Not married? But surely I heard
that she was to be-"
eyes, 1 know there was an engage
mspt, but I was only child then.
and she never spoke Of it to me but
once. That was to say, it had been
brDken of in q moment of misunder-
standing, and that she had never seen
the man again to make it up. She be-
lieves him to be dead now, and can
not bear to have him spoken of. I
don't know why / tell you these
things, but surely you were . good
friend Of ours them"
Friend ?" he echoed. "YeS, and l
still am devoted to your interests, Miss
Lucy"
.sThat is good. We know few peo-
nle here, and now must 60 to meet
Ellen"
.You are going to meet-her =
noE
ssyex."
sWeA, ask her, Miss Lucy. to step |
In and get the watch herself. and
don't tell her who l am. You know.
fet soe have my little surprise.
'.very well, I vim. lam sorry oan-