Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-08-14
copy of that story and read it

good books. In this audience tonight
1 have no doubt there were fully fifty
people who will want to read Lorna
Doone.' 1 told our village bookseller
a week ago to get in an amply supply
Of the cheap edition Of the story. It's
been so with every book we have dis
cussed."
I'D like to walk along with YOU"
said the stranger, land have you tell
me just what you are aiming at"
"All right" laughed the young man.
'I'll be glad to have your company"
He put out the lights and locked the
outer door, and they went down the
stairs together.
Il have an idea," said the tall
young man, "that can do this village
some good It's my village was
born and raised and schoOled here l
feel as If owed it something in re-
turn. I'm a dreamer, perhaps but 1
don't forget hard work. Now I've an
idea that we need a library here-a
working library-flled with the sort Of
books that our people would read. This
isn't university town, nor a town of
dilettantes. It's a town Of workers
who haven't much time to read, and
who should be encouraged to read the
best. 1 have an idea too, that l could
superintend the erection of Just the
practical sort Of building that would
yield the best returns. I would want
one entire floor given up to a hall that
would seat 600 people. There 1 would
carry on the work 1 have begun here.
And I would want a little fund with
which to secure attractions for our
course-special attractions, you know"
He stopped and laughed. I'm some
thing of a draughtsman," he added,
land I've even gone so far as to plan
my ideal building on paper. Yes, and
I've even picked out the very lot where
it should stand. Here it is now. At
this vacant corner-close to the homes
Of the people we want to specially ben
eft"
They paused and looked at the shad-
owy place.
us the lot in the market?" the
stranger asked.
Yes, and can be bought cheap" He
laughed again. ''The next time l hear
that Robert Cameron is In town I'm
going to muster up courage and tell
him about my plans for the Cameron
library"
Robert Cameron" repeated the
stranger.
Hes the head Of the great steel
syndicate, you know. He's done things
Of this sort, but our town seems to
have been overlooked"
"It might be a good plan to see
him." said the stranger.
The tall young man laughed.
THAT was only my joke" he said.
Il wouldn't dare to approach him with
any such begging proposition. Why,
I'm only weigher In one of the small
est Of his mills"
The stranger paused.
"Thls Is the hotel, isn't it?" he said.
He put out his hand. "I've enjoyed
both your entertainment and your COM
pany. Good night, Thomas Gordon"
Good night, sir" said the tall young
man.
The next morning a boy brought
Thomas Gordon, Gagged in his little Of
fee, a note. 1t was a formal invita-
ton to call on Richard Andrews, that
evening.
Thomas Gordon stared at the invi-
tation. Richard Andrews was the
great man Of the village, the man whose
beautiful home adorned the west hill.
He knew Richard Andrews well enough
to say good day. when he met him,
but that was all.
ANY answer?" queried the messen-
ger.
Thomas Gordon shook off his hest
fancy and wrote an acceptance. And
all day thereafter he wondered what 1t
could mean.
When he was ushered into the beau
tiful home on the hill the servant led
him to the library and there Richard
Andrews came forward and warmly
greeted him. At his elbow stood the
gray bearded stranger he had met the
night before.
Good evening, Thomas Gordon" said
the stranger as he put out his hand
Il am glad to renew our acquaint-
ance."
Then Thomas was introduced to
Judge Grayling and to Col. Edward
Ames and to Henry Mickham, the
banker. A moment later they went In
to dinner and the gray bearded stran-
ger was seated on the right Of the host
and Thomas Gordon on the left.
And presently the young man real
lied that his friend Of the night before
was Robert Cameron himself, and he
turned hot and cold at the thought
The conversation buzzed about In q
lively manner. They were all repre-
sentative men and experienced In din
Ing, and Thomas Gordon, who was
quite unused to dining Of this ideal