Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-11-30
Worth
Winning
By George Elmer Cobb


copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union.l
John Beardsley charmed people. He
was forty, rubicund, jolly, an encyclo-
pedia of Jokes and quaint sayings. He
was liberal, too, and he made haste
to tender the fullest service.
There was no hotel at Bassford, but
there were half dozen grain eleva-
tors which drew the farming commu-
nifty for miles arond. This meant es-
tablished trade for the one general
store, which was a customer worth
having for the jovial travelling man.
Beardsley had to stay overnight at
Bassford always, for the trains were
infreQuent. At his first visit he asked
the storekeeper If there was any pros
pect of making an arrangement for
meals and room anywhere In the vii
lage.
"Why, yes" readily answered the
merchant. MRS. Lisle has done some
thing in that line for transients. She's
q widow, and thrifty, and Industrious,
and needs oil she earns. Fine woman,
sir but had scallawag Of husband
who drank himself to death, leaving
her house and lot and little child
Of FIVE. That's her place." and the,
speaker pointed out an old-fashioned
house block distant. "Tell her l sent
you, for she is shy with strangers"
Neither the blooming, kindly faced
widow nor the pretty, lively little Ruth
were long shy with Beardsley, how
ever. He hustled in upon them, frank
and hearty. He paid what was charged
when he left, avowlng that the laven-
der scented bed awarded him had in
duced the soundest sleep he had en-
Joyed for years, and the scrapple and
pancake dainties would leave la Ng
longing for more. Something seemed
to pass out Of the lives Of the mother
and child when he came to bid them
adleu. He waved kisses to the respon-
slve little one until he was out Of sight,
with his great echoing voice promis-
ing her the prettlest city doll he could
find, on his next visit.
Beardsley and the doll arrived on
schedule time, and at the end Of his
second day at the neat, homelike domi-
Gle Of the widow, Beardsley was more
effusive than ever in his enthusiastic
appreciation Of the comfort and atten-
ton awarded.
After that, not only Mrs. Isle and
Ruth, but he himself looked forward
to these monthly meetings as an event
in their lives--he always the genial,
pleased visitor, friendly, but respect
full, the widow CHEEKY, eager to pre-
pare for him her best cooking, and lit
tie Ruth delighted while he was In the
house and In tears when he went away.
One wintry night belated train car
ried IN unusual and unfamiliar John
Beardsley through the drafts and
snowdrlfts, for the smile was absent
and the kindly eyes dulled with gloom.
Beardsley had Just left town where
d former fellow travelling man had set
tied down. A memory Of the CHEEKY
home, the loving wife, the comfort an
chored husband made him reflect that
he was missing the best gifts of life.
He was lone sheep, indeed, he mourn
ed, wanderer, O species Of domestic
outcast. However, once beside the
cheerful fireplace Of the Lisle home his
ordinary good nature revived.
He awoke the next morning at the
sound Of vigorous knocking on his
bedroom door.
"Oh, Mr.. Beardsleyw called out
Ruth's voice, mamma says you've
hardly got time to get up to eat break
fast and catch your train"
"No wonder ~ retorted Beardsley.
"After those hotel beds this one is
luxury. I'll be right down, little one"
He hurried his breakfast, for he had
limited leeway of time his watch told
him. He ran up to his room, lit n
clgnr and began pillng his traps into
the satchel. He placed the lighted
cigar on the window sill and forgot all
about 1t, leaving 1t there and rushing
down the stairs and Mrs. Isle called
up:
'Mr. Beardsley, you have barely four
minutes, and hear the train already
.whistlIng ut the crossing. Ruth insists
on seeing you off,"
"Good for little Ruthie" cried
Beardsley. Hero I am" and they left
the house In company, and he had just
time to pile into the rear car Of the
train as It pulled out Of the depot
He stood on its platform, swinging
his hat, while Ruth threw him kisses,
and Mrs. Llsle waved him n friendly
good-by.
The dull season came on, and 1t
was three months before Benrdsley
again visited Bassford. During the in
term he had sent little Ruth gifts from
time to time, and when he was ready
to start on the road again he wrote
the BassfOrd merchant, telling him
when he would call on him.
It was dark when Beardsley reached
Bassford. A little figure was there to
greet him, Ruth, and her mother was
with her.
"Well, l declared It's heart warm
ing to have true friends waiting to well
come you" cried Beardsley, and no
not only grasped, but held the prof
fered hand Of Mrs. Lisle.
"Mr. Morton, the storekeeper, told
us when you would arrive" exclaimed
the widow difIldently, land us we have
moved since you were here last, we
came to take you to our new home"