The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1911-03-17

w udu my supper, III say gOouDy
TO some of the folks that I've had ac-
quaintance with"
Joefs scowl was quite black when
he rang the doorbell at Spinning's;
therefore when the portal swung wide
and the hall shed stream of light
over his form he blinked and WINGED
like an owl.
ITS Joel Tykesbury, as liver cried
Mrs. Spinning heartily. Now, this is
real neighborly! Come right in and
have a bite to eat We've just sat
down TO supper Henry, here's Joel
come to supper"
Henry" she said, addressing her
husband "eat your supper quick and
be about what planned. Tonight at
D o'clock-everybody you understand"
Mrs. Spinning nodded and frowned and
smiled at her husband.
"I'll see TO Il, Maria." he chuckled
softly. Then, addressing their guest.
he said, when you going to leave
Little River, JoelT
Tomorrow night" said Joel. helping
himself to another biscuit
wish you was going to stay" said
the deacon cordially. You'll be miss
ed. Joel"
"Mlssedv' scoffed Mr.. Tykesbury,
forgetting his diflldence In his aston
ishment who'll miss me2"
Everybody In Little River" said
the deacon quietly. There's few here
but what you've done a good turn for
some time or other. You've forgotten
'em, | suppose, but folks haven'ti
They like TO see you around. and II
you wasn't so bashfui you'd be the
most popular man In the village, not
even excepting the postmaster Eth,
Maria?"
"Of course he would You look so
stern. Joel. that It seems to some folks
that you're stony pillar of the church
lin deed as well us namer' Mrs.
Spinning laughed heartily, while Joel
smiled In surprised manner.
"AIe bashful?' he stammered. "Why,
| never thought about that. guess
| thought folks wasn't cordial enough
when they thought wasn't"
you've got to meet folks half way
In everything. 'Tain't fair to expect
some to do all the being pleasant and
sociable. Well. Maria, I'll go on that
errand If Joel will excuse me. See
you laterr With that the deacon dis
appeared, and Joel helped Mrs. Spin
ming clear away the dishes.
DO you recollect my niece, Char
lotte Wayland?" she asked as she step
ped into the front parlor and lighted
the prism hung lamp on the center
table "She was visiting me ten years
ago"
Joel flushed holly. Indeed, he did
remember the pretty girl ut whom he
scarcely dared glance In church, yet
to whom he had irrevocably lost his
heart. Much of the silence and lone
mess of the past ten years might be
laid NJ the door of his heartsickness
after pretty Charlotte had returned to
her distant home He heard after
ward that she had married.
Il remember" he said family.
She's In Little River Come to
visit my sister. Charlotte's a widow
and AS pretty one as | ever saw. |
declare, II don't seem proper for n
| widow to be quite so good looking as
our Charlotte" Mrs. Spinning smiled
lnnocently as she thrust photograph
into Joers hand, THAT'S Charlotte
She's coming around tonight. an,
you'll have 10 see her home"
Al that instant the bell rang clamor
| nj x,,Ith ell ~, =.
delight. Mrs. Spinning hastened to an
swer II, while Joel devoured the pic
turc with his eyes. now hopeful, n,
longer shy or dIfident. Their depths
contained new purpose, n new light
new courage, Here was something
TO fight for and wln-Charlotte Way.
land that was.
The door opened, and into the room
strea med merry crowd Of men, wo-
men and children, All the folks In
Little River seemed gathered together
under Deacon Spinning's hospitable
roof Surprise, Joel Tykesburyw
they cried In unison as they crowded
around him
In that brief moment Of excitement
Of meeting all these old acquaintance
In this genial atmosphere they drop
ped the old guise and became friends
Joel swallowed sob us he realized
that they had gathered to say goodby
TO him. to say how sorry they were
he was leaving Little River. to give
him sendoff and to say TO him that
every latchstring In Little River was
always out for Joel Tykesbury.
That was the beginning of the hap
piest evening Joel had ever known.
Before II ended he had forever drop
ped his cloak of reserve, and he found
that his fellow townsmen met him
more than half way. A strange new
Joy sang In his heart. for the widowed
Charlotte had blushed beautifully
when their eyes met and he had ask
ed the pleasure Of her company home
and been accepted All at once his
plans changed with lightning rapidity.
He would remain in Little River. He
would build the house, and Charlotte
he would win herl He was glad that
his inheritance was still secret.
Joel Tykesbury seems to have
found his tongue Mt last" said Miss
Fanny Pollard rather acidly. Seems
like he's all took up over that Eighty
widow. guess Maria Spinning
knew what she was talking about
when she said he was going to marry
n widow"
Mrs. Spinning overheard the remark
and smiled mirthfully. II didn't know
thing. Fanny Charlotte's coming
dence"
"Dispensation Of providence, assist
ed by Maria Splnnlng!' shifted Miss
Pollard. quite unconvinced.