Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-09-20
COMMENTED HEART
BY AGNES G. BRoeAN
t0. 1923. Western Newspaper Union.)

- on the village street Every day
he sat cheerfully behind the crude
counter handing out needles and
thread and magazines and candies.
At evening there was the excitement
and neighborly visiting Of customers
coming for their city papers.
Behind the shop in two or three
neat rooms Jared kept house, the
black cat his purring companion.
Jared was bent, and wrinkled, and
kindly. This same village had been
his home since boyhood. His wife
had died many years ago, and his only
sister married man who had gone
on rapidly to success.
Both the sister and her husband,
who lived in an adjoining city, were
gone now, leaving two daughters. One,
Elizabeth, married and prosperous |;
the other, Janey. Jared recalled as
"the little one"
The two young nieces were now
away at boarding school, and Janey
found more time to herself. why
she asked, looking up from Uncle
Jared's last letter, do we never go
to see Uncle Jared? He was mother $
own brother"
why returned Elizabeth, Should
we? A queer old hermit. shall
never forget his appearance at moth
er's funeral
"Poor mother" sighed Janey, "she
knew sorrow indeed when father lost
his money in investment"
"Well," Elizabeth dryly returned,
II guess father suffered, too, even
though he was not dependent for hap
piness on the things money can buy.
Worry over mothers disappointment
shortened his days, think. My, what
cheerful topic we've started. I'm
off for the Richmonds tea"
1t was strange, as one could reach
Uncle Jared's village IN an hour or
two.
When her sister had driven away
Janey slipped into her suit coat, picked
up her purse and went for the trolley.
She entered Uncle Jareds little shop
in the late afternoon.
"Why, how do you dor he faltered |;
"can this really be the little oneY'
Janey smiled. II used to be little,
Uncle Jared; I'm Janey. 1 have come
to visit you for a while, if I may"
His trembling hand closed over her
warm one, his keen, kindly eyes
searching her sweet young face.
"You are like your father" said
Uncle Jared. Sometimes he used to
drop over to spend night with me.
though / don't know as any one ever
knew 1t. A fine man, your father, my
dear"
Next morning Janey presented her
self in her sisters home, happy ex-
element in the flush OF her cheeks
"I'm going to live with Uncle Jared, :
she announced. II love it there, among
the hills. / shall wait on the shop,
and prepare his meals in the pretty
room. We need each other; Uncle
Jared and / are alone"
ITO think I" said the old man when
size TcluFuesu u ludt thO. Iva -
more than answered my prayer. I
prayed even If it may not be kin, Oh
Lord, send, please, some friendly soul,
that / may not end my days alone.
And He sent kin, indeed"
Janey's soft cheek was against the
wrinkled one. "The nearest of KIM
she told him.
Elizabeth's husband said that they
must have her back, when the girls
came home from school. He missed
the restfulness Of Janey's presence
In his wife's hurried living, the help
fitness of little tasks that Janey had
never been too hurried to accomplish.
Uncle Jared went to sleep one morn
ing. Janey could not grieve for him
It was such a peaceful Sleep and his
last days had been so full of con-
tent. He left the little shop to Janey,
and when Elizabeth learned that her
sister intended to continue on there
as old Jared had done, she lifted her
shoulders not comprehending.
Janey was allowed no hour Of lone
illness by friendly village folk, VINO
said their good nights as she put out
the lights, and greeted her with the
opening Of the door each morning
Uncle Jared's old friends still came at
evening to talk with her about him
and the children had parties in the
rooms behind the little shop.
Then one day came a pleasant, dis
tinguished stranger to bargain for the
land on which the shop stood.
1--WE are running the trolley through
here" the young man explained, "ant
your uncle held off for the biggest
price. He wanted you to receive the
benefit"
Janey thought the price named was
very big, indeed, and she told him SO
"The land is worth all that to u.s.
j he said.
Advised by the village lawyer
Janey made the sale.
The agent Of transaction stayed a
the hotel in the village, and furthe
advised Janey regarding the buying o
the incest new bungalow.
The name Of the company's man wa
Richard Train. who was skilled in en-