Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1917-11-15
Worth
Winning
By Gsorge Elmer Cobb

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 mt Bassford. but
there were half Il 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 n customer worth
having for the jovial travelling man.
Beardsley Ind to stay overnight at
Bnssford always. for the trains were
infrequent. At his first visit he asked
the storekeeper II there was any pros
pect of making nm arrangement for
meals and room anywhere In the vii
lage.
"Why, yes" readily answered the
merchant. Mrs. Isle has done some
thing in that line for transients. She's
widow, and thrifty. and industrious.
and needs nll 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 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, avowing 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 lasting
longing for more. Something seemed
to pass out Of the lives of the mother
and child when he came to bid them
adieu. He waved kisses to the respOn-
sive little one until he was out Of sight,
with his great echoing voice pr0mis-
Ing her the prettiest city doll he could
find. on his next visit.
Beardsley and the doll arrived on
schedule time, and mt the end of his
second day Mt the neat, hOmelike dOmi-
cile Of the widow, Beardsley was more
ELUSIVE than ever in his enthusiastic
appreciation of the comfort and atten-
ton awarded.
After that. not only Mrs. Llsle and
Ruth. but he himself looked forward
to these monthly meetings as IN 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 lie went away.
One wintry night belntcd train car
ried IN unusual and unfamiliar John
Bcnrdsley through the drafts and
snowdrifts. for the smile was absent
and the kindly eyes dulled with gloom.
Beardsley had just left town where
former fellow travelling man had set
tied down. A memory of the CHEEKY
home. the loving wife. the comfort nm
chored husband made him reflect that
he was missing the best gifts of life.
He was lone sheep. indeed. he mourn
ed. q wnnderer species Of domestic
outcast. However. once beside the
cheerful fireplace Of the Lisle home his
ordinary good nature revived.
He awole the next morning Mt the
sound of vigorous knocking on his
bedroom door.
ooh. Mr. Beartlsley!" called out
Ruth's voice, "mnmma snys you've
hardly got time to get up to ent break
fast and catch your train"
mo wonder!" retorted Beardsley.
"After those hotel beds this one is a
luxury. I'll be right down, little one."
He hurried his breakfast. for he had
limited leeway Of time his watch told
him. He run up to his room, lit
cignr and began plling his traps into
the satchel. He placed the lighted
cigar on the window sill and forgot all
about it, leaving 1t there and rushing
down the stairs and Mrs. Lisle called
up:
"Mr. Benrdsley, you have barely four
minutes, and hear the train already
whistling Mt the crossing. Ruth insists
On seeing you off,"
"Good for little Ruthie" cried
Beardsley. "Here I am" and they left
the house in company, and he had just
time to pile into the rear car of the
train as 1t pulled out of the depot.
He stood on Its platform, swinging
his hat. while Ruth threw him kisses.
and Mrs. Isle waved him friendly
good-by.
The dull season came on. and II
was three months before Beardsley
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 rond again he wrote
the Bassford merchant. telling him
when he would cnll on him.
1t was dark when Beardsley reached
Bassford. A little figure was there to
greet him, Ruth, and her mother was
with her.
swell. I declare! It's heart warm.
Ing to have true friends waiting to vel.
come you," cried Beartlsley, and he
not only grasped, but held the prof.
Tered hand Of Mrs. Lisle.