Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-10-17
COMMENTED HEART
BY AGNES c. BROGAN
%, 1928. western Newspaper Union)

ne 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
.Iared's last letter, do we never go
to see Uncle Jared? He was mothers
own brother"
why" returned Elizabeth, should
we? queer old hermit | shall
never forget his appearance at moth
er's funeral"
poor mother" $ ghed 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
a cheerful topic we've started. I'm
off for the Richm0nd'S tea.
1t was strange, as one could reach
Uncle Jared's village in an hour or
two.
When her sister had driven away
fancy slipped into her suit coat, picked
up her purse and went for the trolley.
she entered Uncle Iared's little shop
in the late afternoon.
'NNhy, how do YOU do?' he faltered;
"cun this really be the little one?
.Janey smiled. 81 used to be little,
Uncle Jared; Pm Janey. l have come
to visit YOU for while, if l 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 Il night with me,
though don't know as any one ever
knew it. A fine man, your father my
dear"
NrXt morning fancy presented her
self in her sisters home, happy eH-
citemcnt in the flush Of her checks.
aim going to live with Uncle Jared,
she announced. Il love it there, among
the hills. ! shall wait on the shop,
ami prepare his meals in the pretty
room. We need each other; Uncle
Jared and l are alone
"To think :" said the old man when
she returned to him, that the Lord
more than answered my PRAYER.
prayed even if it may not be KIN, Oh.
Lord send, please. some friendly soul,
that may not end my days alone,
And lie sent kin indeed"
Janry's soft check was against the
wriuked one "rhe nearest of kin,
she told him.
Elizabeth's husband said that they
must have her back, when the girls
came home from school, He missed
the rcstfulnesS 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 mo, n
Ing Jauey could not grieve for him;
/ it Ntls such a peaceful sleep, u2a a.
6,s, days had been 50 full OF con
! tent. He left the little shop to .laney,
and when Elizabeth learned that her
| sister intended to continue on there
as old Jared had done, she lifted her
shoulders not comprchending.
fancy was allowed no hour Of lone
l'ness by friendly village folk who
said their good nights as she put out
the lights and greeted her with the
opening of the door each morning.
Uncle Jareds Old friends still came al
evening to talk with her about him,
and the children had parties in the
| rooms, behind the little shop
Then one day came Il pleasant, dis
! Uu@ljsAed STRANGER to bargain for the
! lane on which the shop stood.
eve are running the trolley through
here" the youHg man explained, and
/ your uncle held of for the biggest
price He wanted you to receive the
benefit"
Jaoey thought the price named was
very hig indeed, and she told him so.
"The land Is worth all that to us
! he said.
Advised by the village lawyer,
janey made the sale
The agent of transaction stayed at
the hotel in the village, and further
advised fancy regarding the buying Of