The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-09-22


6.o.0.o.,.o.OO.o.o.O.O.o.d
1t was just little village street
show-a shabby. gray haired ventrilo-
quist sitting between two blank faced
dolls that turned their heads and jerk
ed their wide mouths and cracked
stale jokes for the edifcation of the
crowd that had gathered.
When the program was finished the
old man passed around some thin
pamphlets.
Only a dime!" he cackled. "Just
one dime to learn how to make the
dolls talk"
Only one diner echoed the woolly
haired doll, which lay Imply on top
Of small trunk.
Ten CENTS" murmured Irish Paddy
from within the trunk.
But In spite of much spirited dia.
logue only five books were sold. Then
as the crowd drifted away the little
man packed his silent dolls into tho
trunk. swung 1t by a strap over his
shoulder and tramped down the vii
lage street.
He turned in at little store on the
very edge Of town. 1t was a remark
ably neat little store, and ut the back
was a table with clean white cloth.
The old man asked for rolls and milk,
which he ate ut the table. He also
bought can Of sardines, some crack
ers and cheese to take away with him.
When he had paid for these there was
no more money In his old pocketbook,
but he smiled to himself happily as he
ate his lunch and listened to the talk
Of the fresh faced little woman In
charge and of the neighbor who had
run In for q moment.
when are you going to marry
GEORGE" the neighbor leased.
The fresh faced woman blushed. ~
shall never marry again. Henry was
such good husband"
You can't live on memories of good
ness" said the neighbor bluntly.
No" the little woman agreed, but
Henry would turn in his grave IL l
should look at anybody else"
"Hnhr the neighbor smiled. ~
guess you've looked all righty
Again the widow blushed. II cant
help 1t IL George will come here" sht
said
You'd better take him or let hin
Co."
II know. l believe could ike him
but Henry-oh. Mrs. Perkins. Henri,
would come back and haunt me II
married George Mills"
"Fiddlesticks!" said the incredulou
Mrs. Perkins. AS II I'd lot a thin
like that come between me and happl
nessw
well, Henry was jealous, and h
used to say, Mary. II you ever MARI
anybody else I'll come and haun
you"
Henry ought to get over such thing
when he's been In heaven as long q
this"
do you think s0T the widow ques
toned wistfully. ut seems a. IL Hen
ry would always be Just Henry ever
In heaven"
The neighbor nodded. That's so
Henry was certainly set In his ways"
you see, that's what I'm afraid Of
the little widow stated. II suppose II
is silly. but l always did have a fear
Of spirits. and Henry knew It."
noOk In NtSA dts,x vArrn tlxo ,,u.a.,st~
quist chuckled. But they had forgot.
ten him. And when he finally sham.
bled out they were still talking of
Henry and his heaven born possibili.
ties.
Once out in the street the old man
studied the signs. and George Mills.
Butcher" was the one toward which
he made his way.
Within tho shop the counters were
bare. At the meat block tho butcher
himself was slicing bacon.
Hello" he said as the ventriloqulst
sided In. You are the man who was
making the dolls talk"
yes"
II don't see how you do It." George
Strengthened up. II couldn't even see
you move your lips"
That's nothing" the other stated.
well. it's great" said George.
YES" the old man admitted. but II
doesn't line my pockets with gold"
Kind Of precarious?"
Yes" The old man hesitated, then
blurted out, II wonder IL you'd like to
have me help you-with lady, a
widow"
Mrs. Bassett?" The young mans
tone was eager.
well. her husbands name was
Henry" And the ventriloquist repeat
ed the conversation he had heard
II always knew Henry was selfish
dog" George Hared.
"If you thought 1t was worth So |
might help you out" the little man
ventured.
"HowW
Tho ventrlloquist outlined his plan.
and when he had finished George cried
eagerly. II will give you ten II you
will make 1t gor'
did he have deep voice or thin
oneY
"He had piping voice." George
stated savagely, like this
"Well. want to do 1t right" And
the ventriloqulst picked up his trunk
and went on his way.
Late that afternoon George Mills
stopped In and asked Mrs. Bassett to
take walk TO Marvin's grove.
The widow shook her head pensive.
o-s~