The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-12-10
BY IL .P.E BAILEY



1t WAS lu~t little village stree
shaw-a '1-. gray haired venrio.
quist sitting between two blank faced
dolls thas turned their heads and jerk
ed their vlae mouths and cracked
stale joke, for the rdidcatlon of the
crowd thai had gathered.
When the pr eram was finished the
old mau passed around some thia
pamphlets.
only dime" he cackled. Just
one dime to learn how to make the
dolls talk"
''On,y one dmar echoed the woolly
haired doll. which lay Imply on TOP
of small trunk.
Ten cents murnured 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 a strap over his
shoulder and tramped down the viii
lage street.
He turned in at little store on the
very edge of town. Ii was a remark
ably neat little store, and at the back
was a table with a clean white cloth
The old man asked for rolls and milk.
which he ate ut the table. He also
bought a 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. ii
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 l
should look at anybody else"
/ Huh" the neighbor shifted. Il
guess you've looked all right"'
Again the widow blushed. II can't
help it if George will come here she
said.
You'd better take him or let him
go
| Il know. | believe l could like him,
but Henry-oh, Mrs. Perkins. Henry
would come back and haunt me II
married George Mills
"Fiddlesticks. said the incredulous
Mrs. Perkins. "As if I'd let thing
like that come between me and happi-
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 SOP the widow ques
toned wistfuily. 1T seems as II Hen
nv 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, II suppose II
is silly. but l always did have a feal
of spirits, and Henry knew 1t"
Back in the dim store the ventrilo
ouist chuckled. But they had forgot
ten him! And when he finally sham
hled out they, were still talking Of
Henry and his heaven born possibili
ties.
Once out in the street the old mar
studied the signs. and George Mills
Butcher" was the one toward which
he made his way! SeS
within the shop the counters wer'
hare, At, the meat block the butchel
himself was slieing bacon.
"Hello," he said as the ventriloquis
sided in. You are the man who wal
making the dolls talk?"
YES"
~ don't see how you do it." Georg'
Strengthened up. ~ couldn't even se'
you move your lips
"Tbat's nothing" the other stated.
"Weli, it's great" said George.
eyes" the old man admitted, but
doesn't line my pockets with gold
"Kind Of precarious%
"Yes." The old man hesitated, the'
blurted out, q wonder if you'd like t
have me help you-with lady,
widow"
"NIrs. Rassett?" The young man.
tone vas eager.
.Well, her husbands name wa
Henry" And the ventriloquist repea'
Cd The conversation he had heard.
~ always knew Henry was selns
doc" George tlared. ~
~If you thought it was worth 20
MIGHT help you out" the little ma
ventured.
How
Tho yentriloquist outlined his piaI
ond when he had finished George crle
eoeerly u will give you ten II yo
.itI ,nolye n rO"