The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-01-11
The MATCHMAKER H

ton Oh Matchmaker IN d large dlu
prosperous jewelry store. He was
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 as 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 ont his life
in the same narrow groove in which it
ran, apparently waiting only for the
death that would make so little differ
ence to any human being except HIM
self.
81 can't understand what you think
of all day, Eenn," 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
q 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 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 came putting in at the doors as
though determined to lure away every
restless clerk for 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?"
''The 18th of May" replied the one adj
dressed, somewhat surprised at this de-
parture from Mr.. Fenn's usual rule.
''Thank you. 1t is, as l thought, my
birthday"
There was a moments pause before
another 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 impressive
mien.
Poor old Fepn,' 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
ly to one of keen interest as he eagerly
scanned the newcomers face.
ais this the watchmaker?- she asked
Eyes"
Il have watch here, which won;
go. I wish you would look it over and
tell me what the trouble isl
With hands that shook Mr. Fem took
from her an old-fashioned silver watch.
'T is is not yours?" he said.
mo, my sisters
"Then l am right; you must be lit .
Lucy!''
"My name is Lucy, but" she hes}-
tated.
"You don't remember me? Well,
child, you naturally would not. l have
changed since you saw me. Tell me,
did you ever hear" he paused mo.
ment, then continued-"your sister
speak of Edward FennY'
''Mr. Fenn!" she cried. "You are not
the Mr.. Fem used to call Uncle Ed %
"Yes," he answered, smiling, sadly,
"and your sister. Is she-well?"
90 yes, quite well. 1t must be a long
time since you have seen her?"
'Twenty years." Mr.. Fem said, quiet
ly. "Twenty long years. She probably
has forgotten me. Her--her husband
is living, suppose:"
Husband? Ellen has never mar
RED"
"Not married? But surely / heard
that she WITS ia he"
eyes, i 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-
lieves him to be dead now, and cam
not bear to have him spoken of.