The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-01-20
The MATCHMAKER /
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T DWARD FEM occupied the posi-
II, tion of matchmaker in large and
prosperous jewelry store. He was a
man much envied by the clerks in the
store, for. as an expert, he demanded
and received a generous salary. The
clerks all spoke of him, however, as
"Old Fenn," and, because they had little
| in common with him, they regarded
| him s a most unsocial being.
In reality he was shy. retiring man.
nearly As years of age; anxious to be
friendly, but unaware of the best
method to adopt, finding it easier to be
silent, lost in his own thoughts, than to
exert himself and enter in with the chat
of the lads behind the counters. He
seemed to be always alone; patient, sol
itary, and content TO live out his life
in the same narrow groove in which ii
ran, apparently waiting only for the
death that would make so little differ
ence to any human being except HIM
self.
II can't understand what you think
of all day. Fem his employer had said
to him once. and Fem had looked up
with his rare, singularly sweet smile,
and said:
mfr. White, have you never had a
past?"
That was all anyone within the store
knew of Fem. His landlady found him
a 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 I'M
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 al the same
restaurant for Is years. Except for the
fact he did his work with minuteness
of an extraordinary kind, he appeared
the most commonplace 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 to 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
y, can you tell me what the date is ?"
THE 18th of May" replied the one ad-
dressed. somewhat surprised at this de-
parture from Mr.. Fenn's usual rule.
Thank you. 1t rs, as l thought, nv
There was a moments pause before
another spoke up, cheerfully:
Many happy returns of the day.
,ir!"
Eth? o. thank you. 1t is long time
'ince anyone wished me that" and so
saying, Mr.. Fem passed on to his table
n the corner, with his usual impassiye
MEN.
Poor old Fenn." the clerk said. com
'assionately. Il dare say he is lonely"
As the morning wore away towards
loon. young woman entered the sbop
md approached Mr.. Fenn's desk. He
'lanced up with his customary look of
luiet attention, which changed sudden
to one of keen interest as he eagerly
canned the newcomers face.
rs this the matchmaker" she asked.
"Yes."
Il have watch here. which won't ,
o. wish you would look it over and
ell me what the trouble is
With hands that shook Mr.. Fem took
rom her an old-fashioned silver watch. |
This is not yours?" he said. /
mo, my sisters" /
Then 1 am right; you must be little
ueyI"