The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-03-15
HILDA RICHMOND

looking man as he stepped into the
grocery and general store of the viii
lage
"Old John Painter" said the
young clerk after a moments hesta-
tion. us that who you mean? He
Is such an old money-crubber that no
one ever speaks OF him as anything
but old John Painter. Yes, he lives
in the big house at the end OF the
street. / will show you" and he led
the stranger to the door TO point out
4 large white farmhouse just at the
edge of the village.
''He is rich, | am told" said the
stranger rather questioningl"
'Rich as mud" responded the
youth. "He owns about 1000 acres
Of land and nobody knows how much
money he has besides. He's regu-
lar old miser, though his folks live
well enough"
The strange: walked down the
grassy street TO the big house and
presently stated his GRAND to Mr..
Painter That gentleman frowned
little as the guest stated his request
briefly, and said: Hugh Peterson
promised me he never would tell. /
don't like boys who break their
pledges"
But he didn't break his pledge"
said the stranger eagerly. "He has
been very i'll and while delirous he
told about your kindness to him. He
does not know | am here to-day, but
[ wanted to ask a little aid for our
college. 1t is o struggling affair, but
we have tried to make a place for
poor boys TO work their way along
A little help would enable a dozen Of
our brightest ctudeuts TO come back
next fall, and | am very anxious TO
obtain assistance for them. / thought
IL You had done SO much for Hugh
you might like to help other lads"
- will help you if my name is not
mentioned" said Mr.. Painter. putting
out his check book Il have had my
eye on that boy that clerks i'm the viii
lage store for come time, for | think
be deserves help He is a clean, hon
est. manly fellow and is trying to
work in vacations TO help himself
through college Put his name on
your list and try to get him into your
school. will you?"
The president of tho little college
made It his business to stroll back to
the store and enter into conversation
once more with the young clerk. lie
wantad TO see If he were worth edu-
eating" as he always said when asked
why he cultivated the acquaintance
OF yong men. Trade was duh, so he
had ample time TO make up his mind
as they talked together.
so Mr.. Painter is regarded as n
m!ser by the village people, is he?"
inquired the stranger after bringing
the conversation around to the old
Inhabitants of the place. "TIe must
be very selfish"
He wouldn't cheat q soul" said
the boy quickly. People have fallen
into the habit of calling him mice"
until the name sticks"
Never docs anything for any
body?" went on the stranger.
why, yes he has brought up three
orphan boys since | can remember,
and they arc doing first rate. He
pay. his debts, helps along with the
church work and is good citi-
zen, but folks seem TO think he
ought 30 keep up everything. Come
TO think of it, believe they've inn
posed on him so much that he is n
little close with his money"
ia that the reason they call him a
mn 1NI,.
who had heard the term several times
since he entered the village.
II suppose it must be, but it isn't
fair. He doesn't own thing that he
didn't set together by hard work and
good management. so they have no
reason for calling him names. In,
ashamed of myself for saying that tc
you this morning about an old gen.
tlcmap"
1T is manly OF YOU to say that
said the visitor rising 60 go. "Nevei
be afraid to own that YOU may be mis-
taken in your opinions"
The young clerk wondered why HI
received 20 many letters and circular
from n certain college, and at last h
decided TO 90 there, as the term
seemed very reasonable. lie resigne,
his place ia the store, and was one q
a group OF new students waiting II
the Office of the president one fa
September morning. lie gave n llttl
start to see the man who had talk,
10 him early in the spring about Jch
Painter come into the room. but Wa
still more astonished to see him TAX
the chair at The desk and begin [
take the names NJ the pupils.
You are Jamee Reed" said a.
president, smiling. Il may tell yo