The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-01-19
The MATCHMAKER


= DWARD FEM occupied the posi-
ton 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
clerAa all spoke of him, however, as
old Fenn,' and, because they had little
in common with him, they regarded
him as most unsocial being.
In reality he was a shy, retiring man,
nearly 45 years of age; anxious 10 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 10 be always alone; patient, sol
itasy, and content 20 live out his life
IN the same narrow groove in which it
ran, apparently waiting only for the
death that would make 50 little differ
ence 10 any human being except him
self
Il can't understand what you think
of all day, Fenn,' his employer had said
10 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
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 IN
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 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 cane 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 a moment to
speak TO one Of the men.
Good morning he said. courteous
~, ''can you tell me what the date is?'
1.-THE 18th of May" replied the one ad-
dressed, somewhat surprised at this de-
parture from Mr.. Fenn's usual rule.
Thank you. 1t is, as 1 thought, my
birthday"
There was moments pause before
another spoke up, cheerfully:
Many happy returns Of the day,
sir"
'.Eh? o, thank you. 1t is 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 Fem the clerk said, COM
passionately. Il dare say he is lonely"
As the morning wore away towards
noon, a young woman entered the shop
and approached Mr.. Fenn's desk. He
glanced up with his customary look of
quiet attention, which changed sudden
" to ore of keen interest as he eagerly
scanned the newcomers face.
is this the matchmaker" she asked.
sYes.'
Il have a watch here, which won't
go. / wish you would look it over and
tell me what the trouble is
With hands that shook Mr.. Fem took
from her al old-fashioned silver watch.
This is not yours?" he said.
NO, 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. I have
changed since you saw me. Tell me.
did you ever hear" he paused 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 Ed %
"Yes," he answered, smiling. sadly,
1.and your sister. Is she-well?"
20. yes. quite well. 1t must be long
time since you have seen herr?
Twenty years" Mr.. Fem said. quiet
~. Twenty long years. She probably
has forgotten me. Her-her husband
is living, SUPPOSE"
Husband? Ellen has never mar
RED"
..Not married? But surely 1 heard
thai she was to be-
Eyes, know there was an engage
ment. but I was only child then,
and she never spoke of it to me but
once. That was to say, it had been
broken off in a moment of misunder-
standing. and that she had never seen
the man again to make it up. She be-
iievcs him to be dead now, and can
not Scar 10 have him spoken of. !