The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-01-11


grocery store windows. It was one
of the many schemes" that had
marked his inventive experience.
So he had used up his last dollar
having the objects made, only to find
out that they were too clumsy, bulky
and nonartistic to suit his prospective
clients. The scheme fell fiat. His
entire stock lay heaped up on the ref
use heap in the corner of the garden.
They represent capital invest
ment," so1iloquized Abner, rubbing his
chin reaectively. Something ought
to come of them"
What are you thinking about,
dear?" chirped the gentle voice Of
Nellie, who had stolen out after him,
and, caressing one arm, stood look
ing longingly up into his face.
Why, Of you, Of courseI' cried the
old man cheerily. Who else? I've
been figuring what to do next to get
into some position of comfort out Of
the great dark swamp of misery I've
pulleds you into, along with myself
Nellie kissed his quiyering lips to
silence.
"Whyl" she cried, where's the
misery? Because we have to cut and
trim pretty closely, is the air any
heavier or the golden sunlight less
bright? Does not the sweet, fresh
cornmeal taste better than ever be-
cause there isn't so much of it, and
the dear old house-it's our palace,
we love it,"
"Say!" exclaimed old Abner, perk-,
ing up magically, you're house
hold angel, you are! How you stand
all my foolish specuIations and the
hard life here I can't understand"
You naughty fbberl" chided Nell
lie fondly. Once there was a poor
little orphan girl. The village had
no use for her. A dear old man
named Abner Post saved her from the
poorhouse by adopting her He taught
her to read and write, he gave her
happy, happy life. And as she etaods
here today she blesses him because
he has given her lovel 1ovei love!
Oh, never care for the dark days,
dear-so many are bright. And be-
sides-besides,' she flushed and was
embarrassed, 81 Think am sure
things are going to mend"
The artIess old man did not notice
her confusion. Her cheering words
alone impressed him and his soul was
comforted.
Nellie had fond cherished secret,
but she did not reveal it to her adopt
ed father. Had he been less self-cen-
tered he might have tried to ind .
cause for her more than happy face,
her frequent lonely walks away from
the old homestead evenings.
It was about two weeks later that
Abner came into the house in great
state Of excitement.
Nellie, child, look there!" he ex-
claimed, and held up so queer an OBJ
ject that she was quite startled and
puzzled. 1t was squash, but such
a squash! It was perfect present
ment, only in vegetable form, of one
Of the glass forms that had cost the
old man his spare capital.
Just happened to notice that one
Of those thousand-and-one squash
vines had run an end into one Of
those glass images. sprouting and filed
it up. l broke the glass and there
you are. reckon never before has
the world produced a genuine vege-
table Chinese mandarin"
"But-but-" began Nellie.
what of it ?" jubilated the old man.
''Why, I'm going to run vine into
every one of the old molds Don't you
see: Chinese gods. Hindoo divinities,
distorted dwarfs. grotesque harlequins
why Nellie, before fair time I'll have
such collection as will be the draw
ing card of the whole show! There
are freak gatherers who win pay me
q fortune for the display. See IL /
amt right"
Alasl for two months old Abner
thought only of the culture of his odd
squashes. He shipped them to the
state fair and followed them in per-
son.
Nellie met him at the train when he
returned, week later. Abner was
slightly gium, for his freaks had ex-
cited only passing notice and then
were forgotten.