The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-09-21
The
'Ventriloquiist
He Eased Mary's Conscience
and Made George Happy
By TEMPLE BAILEY
Copyright. 1909. by Associated Lit
erary Press.
By TEMPLE BAILEY

1t was just a 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 diner he cackled. Gust
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 the
trunk, swung it by 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 at the back
was table with a clean white cloth.
The old man asked for rolls and milk,
which he ate at 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 a moment
when are you going to marry
George?" the neighbor teased.
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 If /
should look at anybody else"
Huh" the neighbor shifted. 81
guess you've looked all rightp'
| Again the widow blushed. II can't
help it if George will come here" she
said.
You'd better take him or let him
CO."
II know. believe could like him,
but Henry-oh, Mrs Perkins, Henry
would come back and haunt me If 1
married George Mills"
"Fiddlesticksv' said the incredulous
Mrs. Perkins. "As If I'd let a thing
like that come between me and tlappi-
ness"
well, Henry was jealous, and he
used to say, Mary. If you ever marry
anybody else I'll come and haunt
you"
Henry ought to get over such things
when he's been in heaven as long as
this"
do you think so?' the widow ques-
toned wistfully. ut seems as If Hen
ry would always be just Henry even
in heaven
i uC 4ClSuDOI uOQUNUs L udI 3 60.
Henry was certainly set in his ways"
You see, that's what I'm afraid Of"
the little widow stated 81 suppose it
is silly, but / always did have fear
Of spirits, and Henry knew it."
Back in the dim store the ventrilo-
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 the shop the counters were
bare. At the meat block the butcher
himself was slicing bacon.
Hello" he said as the ventriloquist
sided in. you are the man who was
making the dolls talk?"
Eyes"
81 don't see how you do it." George
Strengthened up. 81 couldn't even see
you move your lips"
That's nothing" the other stated.
"Well, it's great" said George.
eyes," the old man admitted, "but 1t
doesn't line my pockets with gold"
"Kind of precarious"
Eyes" The old man hesitated, then
blurted out, 81 wonder if you'd like to
have me help you-with a lady, a
widow"
"Mrs. BassettT" The young mans
tone was eager.
well. her husbands name was
Henry" And the ventriloquist repeat
ed the conversation he had heard.
81 always knew Henry was selfish
dog" George fiared.
'Tf you thought it was worth SIS l
might help you out" the little man
ventured.
"HowY
The ventriloquist outlined his plan,
and when he had finished George cried
eagerly. 81 will give you ten if you
will make it go"
Ibid he have deep voice or thin
one?"
"He had a piping voice." George
stated savagely, "like this
'eWeIl, want to do it right" And
the ventriloquist picked up his trunk
and went on his way.
Late that afternoon George Mills
stopped in and asked Mrs. Bassett to
take a walk to Marvin's grove.
The widow shook her head pensive-
". II can't" she said. THE neigh.
bors are beginning to talk"
Marry me and shut their mouths"
said George ardently.
ooh, no: | can't marry you, George,
and | mustn't go with you any moreT
George looked blank. "Oh, but see
here" he said, you've just got to go
tonight"
81 don't see why you are so anx-
ious," she yielded.
"Because-oh. look here. Mary, let
it be our last walk if you willp'
Marvin's grove was a place Of dim,
beautiful greenness, and in its depths
a great gray bowlder thrust up rug
ged shoulder. 1t was to this bowlder
that George guided Mary Bassett, and
they sat down with their backs against
the stone.
MARY" he said, ''tell me why you
won't marry me-"
"If only knew that Henry wouldn't
mind" she said, weeping. you know
how good he was to me, George"
"But surely he would want you to be
happy" he said.
Mary sighed. "If only knew. II l
could have some sign."
Behind the bowlder was the faint
rustic of dry leaves. 1t might have