Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-09-21
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dolls that turned their heads aud jerk
ed their wide mouths and cracked
stale jokes for the cdlicaiion Of the
crowd that had gathered
When the program was finished the
old man passed around some thin
pamphlcts
Only a dime!7 he cacliled. "Just
one dime 70 learn how to make the
dolls talk
only one dimew echoed tile woolly
haired doll. which lay Imply on top
Of small trunk.
"Ten cents" murmured Irish Paddy
from wl,hin the trunk
But in spite of much spirited dla-
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 viii
lage street
lie turned in Mt little store on the
very edge of town. II was Il 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 Il 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 ami 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 leased.
The fresh faced woman blushed. II
shall never marry again. Henry was
such i good husband"
You can't live on memories of good
ness, said the neighbOr bluntly
NO" he little woman agreed, but
Henry would turn in his grave il
should look at anybody else
Huh" the neighbOr shifted. 81
guess you've looked all right
Again the widow blushed. Il can't
help it if George will come here" she
said.
You'd better take him or let him
GO"
II know. | believe could like him,
but Henry-oh, Mrs. Perkins. Henry
would come back and haunt me if |
married George Mills"
'Fiddlesticks" said the increduous
Mrs. Perkins AS if I'd let thing
like that come between me and happi-
ness"
We'll Henry was jealous, and he
used to say. Mary, if you ever marry
anybody else I'll come and haunt
you"
"Heary ought to get over such things
when he's been in heaven as long as
this.
DO you think SOP" the widow ques-
toned wistfully. 1T seems as If Hen
ry would always be just Henry even
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 Il suppose it
is silly, but l always did have a fear
OF spirits. and Henry knew it,"
Back in the dim store the ventrilo-
quist chuckIed But they had forgot
ten hia 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.
'HelIo." 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.
"Wen, it's great" said George
eyes" the old man admitted but it
doesn't line my pockets with gold"
"Klnd Of precarious"
eyes" The old man hesitated, then
blurted out, Il wonder II YOU'D IKE 10
have me help yOu-with a lady, a
widow"
Mrs. Bassett?" The young mans
tone was eager,
Wei. her husbands name was
Henry" Aud the ventrioquist repeat
ed the conversation he had heard.
81 always knew Henry was selfish
dog" George fiared
''If you thought it was worth 50 |
might help you out" the little man
ventured
How
The ventriloquist outlined his plan,
and when he had finished George cried
eagerly, 81 win give you ten il you
will make it go"
"Did he have deep voice or thin
one?"
Gle had piping voice." George