Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1911-07-21


And yet bis anxiety was not 80 great
as bis pride. He could support his
wife. but he would do 1t in his own
way. They would board all winter I'm
the city where he could get flne wages,
and n che spring they would return to
the farm
Once itthe city streets he did not
know Whikl why to turn 20 look for
work. BY thS time he had bought q
moFuing peWspa " and hunted It's col.
uanes ssvtslh fok advertisements re-
quiring the especial services he had
to offer he was ravenously hungry.
When he had appeased his healthy APP
petite he was troubled at the inroads
made upon his little store of money,
and this money had been a sum that
Mary Eta had produced from some
secret hiding place, for their money in
the savings bank had been drawn upon
to meet necessary expenses.
Mary Eta was wonderful man
ager he thought as he left the eating
place and walked aimlessly down the
street. She had planned and contrived
all through the autumn months while
the dread of going back to the bench
still hung like dark cloud over him.
He paused In front Of gaudily
painted doorway and read the posters
of a moving picture show. In few
moments he had yielded to the temp
tation to enter and found himself seat
ed well down in front In the long. mar
row theater. At the moment there
were being produced the pictures Of
thrilling rescue from flames as tall
tenement house burned.
Ben watched breathlessly and cheer
ed as heartily as the rest when the
last picture faded away. He did not
look at the card announcing the next
production. The theater was warm,
and he was removing his overcoat.
When he looked up he heard the
family familiar sounds Of an organ re-
produced from large photograph on
on the curtain a scene that took his
breath away and left him sitting in
stunned silence while 1t lasted.
Before him was the interior of the
village church at home, rows and rows
of familiar heads, while up in the pull
pit the thin, angular form of the new
minister sat stiffiy on the red velvet
sofa, while the choir grouped on his
left were singing.
He saw his own grave face beside
young Harry Fray, the tenor He saw
Mrs Phillips, the pastors wife, and
Mary Eta. Mary Eta, looking very
sweet and glrlish, was singing, and
the others should have been Joining In
the refrain, for their mouths were
opesieds 3ut n was only injury Estta7
who sang, her sweet, high voice rising
like that of an angel to the very roof
Of the church even now as II was re-
produced from the phonograph and
foated above the heads of the mixed
audience, who hung breathlessly upon
every word she sang. Now and then
there was a strangled sob as the mean
Ing of the song was borne TO the
hearts Of the hearers and touched
some tender chord.
Ben listened, seeming to hear the
yard outside, as had happened the last
time Mary Eta had sung that old
Scotch hymn my Ain Countrle:"
/ am far frae my hame an I'm weary
aftenwhlles
For the Hanged for hame bringing an my
Fathers welcome smiles.
An I'll ne'er be fu' content until mine cen
do see
The gowden gates o. heav'n an my ain
countrie.
lad Nah
amid a silence that was more eloquent
than the nolsiest applause Ben found
his way to the management of the the
alter and was sent to the people from
whom tho picture films had been pur'
chased There, after many explana-
lions and some delay, he was Informed
that the pastor had granted permission
for the picture to be taken from the
back gallery the spring before and that
Mary Eta had been approached and
asked to sing the song into n phono.
graph. This she had ut first refused |
to do, and then. tempted by the money |
offered, she hnd consented and had |
made several trips TO the city TO sing |
many other we'll known songs TO be |
reproduced for the entertainment of |
the public.
That explained to Ben Madison how
It was that in spite Of the scant re-
turns from the farm that summer there
had always been plenty on his table.
while his store bills had been prompt. |
ly met The shadow In Mary Etta's
face was probably the reflection OF her
aA for haE |
heart must have suffered at decelving
her proud young husband.
Thrilled with self contempt, Ben
Madison hurried home on the last train
that night and awoke the astonished
Mr. Fray from his early sleep. Then
he went on TO his home, where Mary |
Etta was waiting anxiousiy for his re.
turn.
"Hurrayp cried Ben Joyously. II
got the Job all right, Mary Eta. I'm
going to work tomorrow morning. You
got something for my lunch7"
Lots" said Mary Eta, smiling
through her tears do you mind go
ing back to tho bench, dear2" she asked.
Then It was that Ben told her OF his
days experience. Gee, Mary Eta"
he said In wonder as he concluded, II
don't see how you stood my foolish
pride az long az you didl But you're
the stun. My Dride's changed to an
other kind, and III work my fingers OF
one way or another TIL we pull out"
"Why, 1 loved you, Ben" said Mary
contentedIy. That's why II was easy
TO do"
"You'Il see how much I love Won