The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1903-09-30
AT A RUMMAGE
SALE
By SYDNEY PHELPS

the parsonage. They represented all
that my wealthy Aunt Florence and
my cousins could do to help us in our
rummage sale.
Il don't believe we have $40 worth
of things all together" she said y
hopeless expression crossed her face as
she thought of the needed 500.
How hateful all ones rich relations
always are | burst out. Il believe
they sell their things to old clothes
men"
We must do the best we can" said
mother patiently. The poor people
who get them will be pleased anyway.
| wonder If any one Will look in and
help us at the sale
NO one" | answered, with consic.
ton. Between hockey and
Hero worship mother interrupted,
laughing. "lf we could only get John
Gray to come We would not have stand
ing room,'
did not answer. John Gray was
Just home from the Philippines. As an
interesting convalescent and hero he
But. though | had known him from
childhood. | refused TO add one to the
ranks of his adorers, SO GOODNESS had
fallen between my old playmate and
myself
Mrs. Dcnzil is In the parlor, ma'am.'
said the maid, and we went IN TO be
cheercd by the gayest little Indy in the
town
Mrs Denzil had n husband in the
Philippines and appeared TO get along
very we'll without him. We would not
have willingly spared that brilliant
face with its wealth of fair hair, auda
cious blue eyes and wickedly curved
red lips from our midst. 1t WIS vain TO
try To look askance Mt Mrs. Denzil. her
absolute frankness was so disarming.
You look worried" she said. Nv hut
Is IT."
1T is only our rummaGe sale" | said
sadly THE things which have been
sent in viii bring but a SUNG, yet We
know of no other My In which To rails,
the money.
Are mems things any use? Why
not ask young Gray =
Il hardly liked to, said mother.
"All right. will lie must hive
heaps of things he doesn't want"
on Went Mrs. Dcnzil, promising to
write TO John Gray and send us the re
suits of her appeal. Sure enough, n
few days later she brought In her dog
cart IA huge bundle which she opened
trlumphantly.
There, told you | would get some
thing out of him. Shoes lots of them,
brown and black; two suits. very little
worn; socks, collars, ties"
splendid" we said. Did he send
them all the way to your houseY
No; | told him | would call for the
bundle this afternoon. II was Ia be
ready in his own special sanctum. He
was out but old Jenkins showed me In
| found note from him asking If this
sort of thing would be of any use and
aging that If he wanted anything more
jenkins could get 1t for me.
Pursued by our grateful thanks, Mrs
DeBlil drove off in her usual whirl-
wind. She promised to come 10 our
sale next day and especially begged to
be allowed TO act as auctioneer for
Gray's things.
Mother and returned to the exam
ination of the bundle Actually, two
of his pipes" she said. How very
good of him.
said nothing, for just ut that mo
ment | had caught sight OF something
which gave me u sharp stab of pain.
Many years ago, when John Gray first
went to college, | had worked Its col
ors on II tobacco pouch. There had
been something more than mere kindli-
ness IN our farewell on that occasion.
lie surely need not have sent the pouch
TO rummage sale.
The sale came off the next day. In
the midst of little argument with
stout woman as TO the value OF red
flannel dressing sack mother said to
me:
"Glare, both of the Whites have come.
That is rather nice of them. They have
brought another girl with them"
Il looked up and smiled ut the three.
Just then. TO my surprise. the daughter
of our bank president appeared, fol-
lowed closely by n fairly representative
gathering of the young ladies OF the
neighborhood.
There must be some mistake" |
thought. "They must think there Is an
entertainment to follow"
Just then heard Mrs. Denzil's voice
"IIere ! aIn," she said, "in plenty Of
time, Hurry up, girls; the auction Is
going to begin. Can | have chair put
on that table? Thanks. The handle of
my riding whip will be the hammer"
And fiinging herself with rapture into
the part, she began the auction.
The buyers We're as wax In her
hands.
Look at these ties" she said In tones
Of ardent admiration. college colors.
club colors, rainbow colors. Girls. you
will never forgive yourselves If you let
such a chance as this slip. Six ties, all
worn well worn Did | hear you say
quarter, Miss SMITH Oh, hope not |
could not listen to such an offer from
you Fifty cents. Linda. That is bet
ter, but not good enough" In the end
she extracted an offer of 81 80 from the
bank presidents daughter. Never once
did she mention the name of the donor
of the effects, and the ladies gazed In
undisguised amaZement at each others
frantic bids
'Thls pair OF boots" Mrs. Denzil pur
sued, was worn in the Philippines"
This was entirely untrue, but the
spirited bidding ensued, and another
eirl became their proud possessor at
the eXtravagant price Of $3.50.
At last, To my mingled relief and
rage. the little tobacco pouch was held
aloft In Mrs Denzils grasp. | had de-
eided to buy back again my despised
gift II only for the pleasure OF seeing
II burned.
a tobacco pouch look" said the
gay voice. What memories may sur
round it,
''Twenty-fve," squeaked Linda
White.