Milford chronicle., 1922-11-17
An Interesting Story
By MRS. JULIUS E. SCOTT

nC SClCAlOA4Sp OhG4g bAAS AethACo "
the New Century Club were gathering
for their own meeting. A dozen o.
more had stopped at the gate, anC
were chatting about the affair the!
had just attended, when their atten
tion was taken by a large autovaI
that came rumbling down the ave
nue-and stopped in front of the
club house. A rather striking-loOkins
individual, long of hair and high Oi
brow, alighted from his seat beside
the driver, and approached the lad
les, letter held in his Outstretched
hand
Il believe this is the New Century
Club?" he asked. "I was told should
find Mrs. Geo. w. Marshall here
have letter for her.
"I am Mrs. Marshall" said that
lady, wondering what 1t was all about.
Opening the Listen: this is
for all of us" said she, and proceeded
to read:
pittsburgh, April 4, 1923.
Dear Madam:-
"In a recent copy of the Milford
Chronicle which fell into my hands,
saw your name mentioned as Chair
man of Library and Literature in the
New Century Club; and rejoiced to
know that the old town where 1 was
born and spent my boyhood now has
a public library" (She paused, and
drew long breath as the group look
ed questioningly at one another)
ut has always been matter of re-
gret to me-" the letter continued,
that there was no library in Milford
when was a boy. have never ceas-
ed to feel the lack of what it would
have given me. am now a rich man
"a rich man, and nothing more.
have nothing of what the world calls
culture. And because of this, I can
not meet other men upon terms Of
equality.
"As 1 said, 1 am a rich man, and
would like to do something for my ma
tive town, along the lines mentioned;
and so have secured the services of
Mr.. Amos Barlow, a Well-read and
knowledgeable man, to make selec-
tion of books for the Milford Public
Library. This he has done, and will
deliYer them to you himself in per-
son. There are two thousand volumes
of the best in every branch of liter
ature in the lot. These, with my best
wishes for its future welfare and
prosperity, donate and dedicate to
the Milford Public Library.
81 remain, my dear Madam,
yours very sincerely,
"Josephus T. Swan"
The readers face was pale as she
raised her eyes to meet the astonished
glances of her fellow members. But
there was only one thing to do-and
she did it.
"Mr. Barlow" said she, "your-em-
ployer, shall I say?-is laboring under
a misrepresentation. 1t is true that
am Chairman of Library and Litera-
ture in this Club; but the fact re-
mains that we have no public library
in this town. We only hope to have
One."
At this, Mr.. Barlow threw back his
head, and passed hand across his |
classic brow.
"DO hear aright?" he demanded ''Is
It possible that have come hundreds
Of miles upon a FOOLS errand, to de-
liver thousands of dollars worth of
books to an institution that does not
exist? For mark you, Madam,
hope and realization are two very diff
-erent things!" he said with biting
sarcasm.
"I understand that, Mr.. Barlow; but
surely, on the strength of that hope,
which may soon become realization,
you will leave the books here with
is? You will not take them away!"
she pleaded; for the man was making
indications that the in
erview was over. He turned upon
Ter sharply.
"Do you mean that shall leave
hese precious volumes here, to moul-
ler in some musty storehouse? Mad
I'M, could not think of doing SUCH a
hing. I am sure Mr.. Swan would not
such proceeding
or moment!
"No: shall communicate with him
t once by long distance, and shall
hen proceed to execute his further or
Ter, and deliver his magnificent gift
o some more enterprising commun-
ty. I wish you a very good
ayi"
While this conversation had been
.oing on, some of the firemen, scent
ng something out of the ordinary, !
ad crossed the street, and were !
tanding in a group on Sipple's cor
er. Now, as the stranger climbed
ack into the seat beside the driver
Tho seemed to be having some trou-
lie in getting started-the ladies be- Z
an beckoning wildly to various hus- ]
ands, sons and brothers among the {
remen, who came hurrying over. /
What's up? What is it all about?"
ley asked, with keen interest.
Tell them, Mrs. Marshall-tell
lem!" the ladies urged. And tell
lem she did, in few burning words.
7hen she had finished, the Chief
lrned to his companions: Look here,
len, can't we do something about
lis?" he asked them. "Are we going
, let this opportunity slip? Isn't it
bout time this town made some move
/ the matter of public library? Out
ith it-yes or mol"
Eyes, YES!" they chorused. Lets
cad off that big stiff. and tell him
u"
Naturally, the Chief was the spokes-
an. This is what we heard him say
or part Of it:
speak for the firemen of
ilford. There is our new build
g. We have just laid the corner
one; it will be completed before
low flies. One spacious room in it
to be donated to the town for Ii
'ary purposes. We, the firemen, will
responsible for Mr.. Swans magnif-
ent gift. am sure the New Century
ub will house the books until the
w quarters are ready for them"