Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1922-06-28
FAR COUNTRIES
BY AGNES TRAYNOR

g. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
In the blistering white sunlight the
flies hummed drowsily. The door Of
the little store stood open, dumb in
vitation to passers-by. Many a big
blue-green fly took advantage of the
invitation; now and then stray cat
stole furtiveIy in. After each passing
team or automobile a cloud of gray
dust slowly settled over the battered
counter. the motley collection Of
canned goods, the Christmas toys still
on the top shelf. The rubber boots
hung in silent expectation that some
provident person might wish to pre-
pare for rainy day. In the far cor
ner gray-haired man stood reading
a small book and absently tracing pat
terms in the dusty counter.
lie was man of about fifty-five
years, stOop- shouldered and wizened.
Long years Of small, unhappy service
had left their mark on his face; IL he
could be said to have an expression it
was that of Indifference, not of dis
satisfaction. AS ne read he occa-
sionally repeated a few words aloud.
Blue waves lap marble beach," He
spoke slowly, as though trying to con-
jure up the scene from the sounds Of
the words.
After a moment he rose, went to the
safe In the back of the room, and
opened it. Yes, it was still there; OBJ
long green and yellow bank notes
shiny, heavy gold pieces, the price of
the new building. Only few hours
before it had been placed there; the
next morning it would be forever be-
yond. his reach.
Here, in his hands was happiness
First, the quick trip to South America,
then Switzerland, Spain, Egg What
magic dreams could he not fulfill!
Aladdin's lamp was his for the taking.
Did he owe loyalty to his employer?
He had given his youth, chained I'M
protesting to a battered counter, in
exchange for mere pittance-for
bread and butter so that he might toll
as he had toiled. Loyalty he dis
missed without hesitation. A thief
but were not all rich men thieves?
Did they not rob the poor, setting
their usurious prices on food accord
Ing to the demand for it, not accord
ing to the toll or money 1t had cost
them to produce it?
Never again would he sweep the
store in the early gray morning Blue
seas, snow-capped mountains, ivory
carved temples, gaudy-fowered trop-
ical islands-all these were his had
he but the will to dare.
Warned by approaching voices, he
slammed the safe door shut, and was
back reading his book as two slow
farmers entered leisurely, arguing the
relative merits of high or low tariff,
cordially. After he had sold each
cut of their favorite tobacco, they
seated themselves, from force of habit,
near the cold, rusty stove.
Half amused, he listened to their
conversation. A few words seemed to
hit him like a hammer and stay in his
mind ->etS 90
Yes, our Jim wants to try his luck
out West. Funny. Now, when l was
young lad, | was crazy to go, too.
Now, oh shucks! Folks that's old,
like be, what with the rheumatic and
everything, is glad enough to stay to
home. Leastwise, seems as though
they'd ought to be" ~''''-'-'+- ''1ii''--'1--
r. suddenly re felt Old and very tired.
His rosy dream had faded, leaving
nothing but gray in its stead. He was
too old to venture, too cowardiy 10
risk all on one toss. The glory of new
worlds was not for him. He would miss
passing the plate in church on Sun
day morning; he would long even for
the condescending greetings of the
customers. Old habits had woven
chains too strong to be easily broken.
Even the old store would haunt him;
1t had become part of him. Far new
countries for youth; for age, a pleas
ant flreside, old books and old COM
panions.
A country woman came IN to do her
trading She laid her basket of
precious new eggs carefully on the
counter. From her worn purse size
took her long shopping list.
What are you paying for eggs to-
day. she inquired timidly.
Forty cents dozen for fresh eggs"
replied the clerk, lifting the baskc. OF
eggs mechanically over the counter.
Weatherinu of Coal,