Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-05-10

| firmneSS In TACT, joel IykcspuTy was
handsome man. and although he was
| forty years old there was not thread
Of white In his abundant hair.
Suddenly he arose and. approaching
| the glass, brushed his hair into some
senblance of order. "Tll go to New
York tomorrow night. and now, after
I've had my supper, I'll say goodby
to some OF the folks that I've had ac-
qualntance with"
| Joel's scowl was quite black when
he rang the doorbell at Spinning's;
therefore when the portal swung wide
and the hail shed stream of light
over his form he blinked and WINGED
ike an owl.
Its Joel Tykesbury, as liver cried
Mrs. Spinning heartily. "Now, this Is
real neighboriy. Come right in and
have 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
o'clock-everybody. you understand"
MIS-. EptuuiuA upuutu anu AtoNhS0 ahu
| smiled at her husband.
"rn see to II. Maria" he chuckled
softly. Then, addressing their guest.
he said. when you going to leave
Little River. Joel?"
Tomorrow night" said Joel. helping
himself to another biscuit
"wish you was going to stay" said
Ia rxapdtoIlr ttYnnsn "a mic
ed, Joel"
"Missedw scoffed Mr.. Tykesbury.
forgetting his difiidence in his aston
ishment- who'll miss me?"
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't!
They like to see you around. and II
you wasn't SO bashful you'd be the
most popular man In the village. not
even excepting the postmaster. Ell,
Maria"
"0f 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 as Manner Mrs.
Spinning laughed heartily, while Joel
smiled In a surprised manner.
me bashfulY he stammered. why.
I never thought about that I guess
l 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 60 on that
errand II Joel will excuse me. See
you laterw With that the deacon dis
appeared. and Joel helped Mrs. Spin
ming clear away the dishes,
do you recollect my niece, Char
lotte waylandf' 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 hotly. Indeed, be did
remember the pretty girl At whom he
| scarcely dared glance in church. JET
to whom he had irrevocably lost his
heart Much of the silence and lone
hness Of the past ten years might b
laid at the door of his heartsickness
after pretty Charlotte had returned &c
her distant home He heard after
ward that she had married.
II remember" he said family.
She's In Little River. Come Il
visit my sister. Charlotte's q widow
and ~ pretty a one az ever saw.
declare, 1t don't seem proper for {
widow to be quite 20 good looking ii
our Charlotte" Mrs. Spinning smiled
innocently as she thrust photograph
into Joel's hand. That's Charlotte
She's coming around tonight, and
you'll have to see her home"
At that instant the bell rang clamor
ously. and. with a slight chuckle Of
delight, Mrs. Spinning FASTENED to an
swcr 1t. while Joel devoured the pic
ture with his eyes, now hopeful, NJ
longer shy or diffident. Their depths
contained new purpose, new light
q new courage. Here was somethin,
to fight for and WING Charlotte Way
land that was!
The door opened, and into the room
streamed merry crowd Of men, NO
men and children. All the folks n
Little River seemed gathered Together
under Deacon Spinning's hospitabl>
roof. Surprise, Joel Tykesboryr
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 q sob as 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 sender and to say to him tina,
every latchstring In Little River wa
always out for Joel Tykesbury.
| That was the beginning Of the hap
piest evening Joel had ever known
Before 1t ended he had forever drop.
ped his cloak Of reserve. and he found
that his fellow tOwnsmen met him