New-York tribune., 1909-05-16
Il LIBRARY ON WHEELS.
Hoo Minds of MOuntaineers an
Maryland County 1re Fed.

America believes that the printed page is for
the masses and that books are published to be
read. not stored on shelves as in some European
libraries. for the use Of certain favored ones
MI Carnegie and others have scattered libraries
for the many throughout all the land In New
York City and in other American cities the pub
lie Libraries make it easy Tor every one to obtain
books, and this fact is advertised 1t has re-
manned however, for the Washington County
Library, of Hagerstown, Md, TO send out a
coIporteur, rot only 10 carry books but to
spread the gospel of literature in the isolated
rural regions
The itinerant library, drawn by a pair Of
sturdy horses has become a familiar sight in
the Washington County section of the Blue
Ridge. Like the semi-annuaI appearance Of the
tin pedIer's cart its approach is an occurrence
quickly heralded throughout the neigIborhOod.
The housewife throws a sunbonnet over her
head, and followed by one or two barefooted
children runs out TO the roadside to see what
the good natured boOkman has brought on this
round The chickens follow hOtfoOt certain
that such a commotion can only mean that some
appetizing dainty is about to be distributed
In the middle of this scene Of domestic activity
the itinerant bookman stops and descends from
his lofty seat
Good day, Mrs -, says he, as he winds
the reins about the wflipstock: How did you
like the last book"
1t was pretty good. I liked that part where
fl said To be not TO be, that is the question
That's the way lots OF farmers wives feel
reckon. ] let Mrs. --, down the road apiece.
take it She said she liked the way the wind
and thunder and lightning fiared around in'Mac-
BETH because IL reminded her Of the way It
flares around her house sometimes. She says
ITS awful; almost tears the house off the cellar.
I reckon she's right, for that's the way it blows
around yere Hcve you got The Dukes Re
venge'? L heard that book cracked up once.
What dc you want, Mary Jane?" addressing the
older Of the two girls.
I haven't the book you mention" says the
book colpOrteur, opening the doors Of his wagon.
-'but perhaps you would like 'Marius the Ep-
curean,' or Gray's Botany The Botany would
be interesting think, for it describes the plants
and flowers, and tells how they grow. Or if you
want story there's Kenilworth. or a Tale
Of Two Cities Mary would like those books,
toe, I'm sure"
what cities are they-Baltimo' and Wash
'n'ton2"
sOh, no They are two European cities, Paris
and London The book tells about some people
who were mixed Up with the French Revolution.
and had some exciting adventures and narrow
escapes"
We'll. if you say it's better'n The Dukes Re
yerese' I've heard 50 much about, 1 reckon IneDDe
we 'uns better take it.
Here it is" replies the bookman' taking the
volume down from the shelves and handing it
10 fhe woman. Let me leave the Botany with
vou. also. You can learn something about the
flowers as they come along Mary and your
other girl may be interested in it Wouldn't
Vol like TO have IT, Mary" he inquiries. turn
ing toward the larger Of the two barefooted
girls with genial smile The smile completes
the book nissiOnary's conquest and the bare
foot miss looks up from beneath her sunbon-
net extends a hand for the book and taxes IL
with a whispered Thank you
The ftinerant librarian takes the name OF the
,,ersor 20 whom the book left on the last visit
has been transferred. shuts the doors over his
shelves climbs 10 his seat unwinds his reins
and the chickens being no longer under foot