The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-12-25
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W
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 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 viii
lage.
"Why, yes" readily answered the
merchant. MRS. Isle has done some
thing In that line for transients. She's
q widow, and thrifty, and industrious,
and needs all she earns. Fine woman,
sir but had scallawag of husband
who drank himself to death, leaving
her a house and lot and a 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 promis-
ing her the prettiest 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
effuslve than ever In his enthusiastic
appreciation Of the comfort and atten-
ton awarded.
After that, not only Mrs. Lisle 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 an unusual and unfamiliar John
Beardsley. 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 an
chored husband made him reflect that
he was missing the best gifts of life.
He was lone sheep, indeed, he mourn
ed, wanderer, a species of domestic
outcast. However, once beside the
cheerful fireplace of the Isle home his
ordinary good nature revived.
He awoke the next morning at the
sound of a vigorous knocking on his
bedroom door.
"Oh, Mr.. Beardsleyr called out
Ruth's voice, mamma says you've
hardly got time to get up to eat break
fast and catch your train.'
mo wonderi" 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. ran up to his room, lit a
cigar and began piling his traps into
tne satchel. He placed the lighted
cigar on the window sill and forgot all
about 1t, leaving it there and rushing
down the stairs and Mrs. Lisle called
up:
"Mr. Beardsley, you have barely four
minutes, and I hear the train already
whistling at the crossing. Ruth insists
on seeing you off,"
"Good for little Ruthiei" cried
Beardsley. Here 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 a friendly
good-by.
The dull season came on. and 1t
was three months before Beardsley
again visited Bassford. During the In
term he had sen ,ittIe 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 he
not orsy Jrasped. but held the prof
fered hand of Mrs. Lisle.
'.Mr. Morton, the storekeeper, told
rs when you would arrive" exclaimed
the widow dif1dently. Sand as we have
moved since you were here last, we
came to take you to our new home"
'.Moved9 How's thatP" inquired
Beardsley.
ave have got a smaller house." ex.
planned Mrs. Isle evasively, and he
found 1t so when he reached 1t, but
immediately clean and cozy as the old
one.
I'm going to stock up Morton" said
Beardsley, $50 shall be here two OF
three days."
He arose early the next morning and
took stroll before breakfast. AS he
passed the site Of the old Isle home
he halted, quite staggered, for it show
ed the burned-out skeleton of the house
in which he had passed so many pleas.
ant hours.
II sayr he hailed a neighbor, going
about his yard on crutches, whats
happened hereT
"Oh. the house burned down."
when was that?"
"About three months ago. 1t was the
hrst OF February, as well remember
about eight o'clock IN the morning. II
caught in the west room. saw the
curtains on fire from my place here,
but was alone. I'm a cripple, and ]
couldn't do anything. / telephoned the
fire house, but it was all in flames by
the time the hose cart got here"
'sHow did 1t cateh?" questioned
Beardsley, dawning intelligence in his
face.
Don't know-mystery. Mrs. Isle
and little Ruth had gone to the depot
with visitor, and when they got back
they found themselves homeless.
Beardsley started brisklv away from