Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1904-09-23

shop and listened to the conversation. He
had been quite dropped out of family con-
situations lately.
After Jennie left Reuben went slowly
away again to his shop. Kathie was bus
fly packing a little later when she heard
the shop door bell ring. The bell rang
whenever the door was opened. Presently
It rang again. Grandpa seems to be hav-
ing customers" thought Kathie. She was
surprised a moment later to hear third
ring Not long after there came fourth
ring. then fifth.
"Wenr' calculated Kathie.
She laid down her work and. opening the
sitting room door on a crack, peeped into
the shop. She could not see the custom
ers, but her grandfather was talking TO
them animatedly.
who are the people," thought Kathie.
Eyes, STR" Reuben was saying. Just
one moment, please. until / wait on this
gentleman. Yes. indeed; take Ii to the
light and examine 1t. Now. madam. this
is the sample. Here is the very thing;
not a shade OF difference. You'n take
three yards of the wide? Yes, yes,
ma am I'm pretty busy. You see, I'm all
alone just now. Ny granddaughter has
stepped out on an Grand but shell be
In presently and help wait on my GUS
toners. Oh. indeed, she helps in the shop
considerably We keep our little business
together. Kathie's coed girl, very
capable girl, and she turned TO with
will to work in the shop when she finished
school. Yes, ma am, she stood by her old
grandfather. She remembered how he'd
stood by her ever since she was baby
She was a weakly child, ma am. Her
mother and used to walk the floor half
the night with her sometimes when she
was teething She used to Ike to creep
about the shop here when she was little
mite Yes'm, we've always lived in this
house. You see. ! am too old to so away
now. An old man is like a tree with deep
roots: he can't be tranSpldnted easily.
And so we're going to stick To the little
shop still. There, ma am. is your parcel.
Now. what can do for you, sr?'
Kathie's face was study of scarlet be-
wilderment.
who is grandpa talking to- she muir
INJURED, and, overcome with curiosity, she
stuck her head quite into the shop.
Save for Reuben 1t was empty, The old
man. standing behind his counter, hold
Ing up this article and that, tying up
packages. opening boxes, chattering away
entertainingly. was waiting on a shopful
OF purely imaginary customers.
Kathie realized tho soul of the situation
| with hard pang. The scalding tears
! sprang to her eyes.
| ITS a tragedy" she said.
With little sob she softly closed the
| door and ran to har own room. She threw
| on her things and hurried out of the
house by the back way. She had seen
| John Tracy, the young drummer from
whom her grandfather bought goods, or
| the street that morning
Johns in town. and he'll help me.
| she thought
John was readily found at Sam GREEN'S
After talking with him a few minutes
Katanie hurried back home.
There had been a long lull in the ring
ing OF the shop bell, but after awhile i
began again-once, twice, three times!
Kathie dropped her work excitedly and
ran into the shop.
Her grandfather had fallen into quie
reverie When the bell rang he looked
across the counter without changing hi
expression. John Tracy and two othe
men had come in, but old Reuben fanclet
them his customers-stil the creatures o
his recent dream. 1t was not until JOIN
spoke that he reused up.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Marsh" John salt
brightly. i've brought some of m!
friends around to look at your neckties
l expect We'll all want a few Of them
'Hey?" said old Reuben. "Ah, yes
yesl'' He turned to the shelves Devil
dered.
Here they are, grandpa said Kathi
at his elbow. And, see, there come Sal
lie Vane and Nettie Thurston. They wan
some wells. Hknow Oh. see what 10
of people are coming
All that afternoon until dark the sho
bell kept ringing. Kathie stood at he
grandfather's side measuring goods an
showing articles. Some of the people tina
came in bought goods; some merely ask
ed to see them.
go to Marsh's, anyhow" John told ev
cry one he met, "even IL you just look a
something. 1t will encourage the old fel
low
When the shutter was set up at
o'clock Kathie threw her strong, peniten
arms about Reuben's neck.
Grandpa" she cried, trades pickin
up We can never leave this, of course
Why, we'd always feel that we'd risked
fortune II we left here now for Ncstoi
I'll write Mr.. Fry tonight that we can
possibly give up our business for tn
school. There are forty teachers he ca
get instead of me-"
Reubens face was like a rudy old ap
pie when he blew out the shop lamp an
walked into the sitting room for supper.
mo need of you leaving home to teac
Just yet, Kathe, child" he chuckle
cheerfully. "Tll just pilot this craft fo
us both awhile longer"
"And I'll just keep my hand on the rud
der and do what l can to make 1t 6
straight" thought Kathie, planning HOY
she and John should dress up the sho
window the next day.