Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-04-18
ZECKEL.
BY KATHLEEN O'CONNOR

"Wcl, Mr.. Alliday, anybody 'ud think
as you'd been turned into the streets
bcggar, instead of bciu' comfortably set
tied in as smart a little shop as ever l
clapped eyes on, and free Of expense,
tool"
Ezekial Halliday groaned as his eyes
wandered round the bright, gaudily pa
pered room, and he bent his white head
to hide a great tear that was slowly
comsino down his cheek. Martha was a
good soul. but why couldn't she leave
hin in peace?
and low any one could fret their
selves silly over that dirty old Book
sellers Row is beyond me. 1t ought to
ave been done away with years ago, as
any clean and sensible person could see!
Why, never day passed but | bumped
my poor 'ead against them pesky door
ways; and as for that parlor Behind the
shop it wasn't larger than mousetrap,
and was Just about as musty!"
Nc an my old girl found it comfort
able enough for fifty happy years, Mar
tina" the old bookseller broke out at
length. stung by the contempt in the
didn't prevent our living to a good old
age. I'm 90 now, and she only died two
years ago come Christmas. I'm
glad she didn't live to see the old place.
Was twas it there when you
passed this morning, Martha?" he asked,
pitcously, folding his shaking hands over
the worn head of his stick, Martha
tossed her head as she laid the cloth for
tea.
1T were standing there right enough
then" she replied earclessly, but they
We're at work on the house next to it,"
Next to it, Martha, next to it?'
| Ezekiel as every one called him, tot.
| tered to his feet, stretching out hand
for his hat that hung on peg. But
/ Martha guessed his intention.
! Now, then" she said, with well meant
! iirmness. you don't leave this parlor
| till you've adj fresh cup o tea. The
men 'ull be leavin' Off work now. and ii
| the old place is gone you won't bring it
| back by goin' off without a sup or bite
Iccke fell back into his armchair with
working lips.
Its true" he moaned. Nothing can
bring the old things back, Martha!
You're young woman, and you don't
| see things IKE we do.
Young, indeed"
Martha was on the shady side of 40
so she was not i'll pleased at the soft i'm.
parchment
We'll" she returned, slightly Modified
, II suppose we don't. MI / know is that
I'd that Id thank Providence on my
bcllied knees if it 'ud give me n shop in
the Charing Cross road. But there's tho
bell. The tea 'ull be ready by the time
You come back"
Ezekiel rose and attended to his Gus
| toner with the accustomed care anC
genial bonhomie which had made hin
quite personality in Booksellers Row
Left alone the smile died out of his ewes
and he dropped YEARLY over the freshly
polished counter. Yes, it was fine
enough" he reflected, this shop, with it,
linolcum covered floor and shining brown
shelves, its shrill electric bell and Other
modern conveniences; there was nothing
missing nothing bat those subtle asso
Citations which alone ,reated the real at
mospherc of home. And no one knew
no one understood ="
lie took up a broken backed vohlm,
lying at his elbow, and fingered its vel
low pages lovingly. 1t was II rare edi
ton OF Pilgrims Progress" much GOV
etcd by certain celebrated novelist
who had imagined that the old MAJ
could not possibly understand its value
Understand Ezekiel Strengthened him
self and chuckled at the idea Their
wasn't man in London that could hood
wink him into buying an imitation O
the read article! Many time Charlie
Dickens had tried to play Il trick OF
b him, and had declared him to be "a viii,
old 6eggar," Martha's impatient voie
behind the glass door recalled him to tn
present realities OF life.
Come along now she exclaimed
Drink your tea, and eat this nice piec
OF buttered toast. I've cut all the crust
: off
Z The rough kindness of her tone, as sh
settled the cushion in his chair. com
=. torted the old man somewhat, and h
$ obeyed her meekly.
e You're very good to me, MARTHA h
, said suddenly,
"Nonscuse, AVen't ! known We fo
the last twenty years, and didn't | In
u out the poor old miSsus, avowin' all tb
: time in my cart to see YOU comfortabl
u every evenin', husband or no husband
+ And now" she added, with Il Quic
change Of voice, II can't stay anotht
r. minute. mine must be 'ome by this tim
Il and >tarvin'!"
e Mrs Martha Mugg was II typical cha,
a woman She invariably alluded to h,
a other half Is mine" and no ono ha
,- ever seen her without the bonnet viii
D. red roses which always graced her gri
l. zlcd locks
"a Ezekiel sighed as the ample beshawls
i figure passed out into the warm era
u evening. She had been a kind friend
~ mm IN her clumsy way. How would 81
r. get on. IA, wondered. with his grandso
III the smart, up-to-date young man WI
was coming tomorrow to take charge