Page:Life of Isaiah V Williamson.djvu/108

90 will you give?" asked Massey, in his wholehearted way.

"I thought about it all last night," said Williamson. "The forlorn boy lies close to my conscience; and I have promised them a hundred thousand or so."

"Bless my heart! Have you? Come and take lunch with me."

"Thank you, Mr. Massey, but I have my lunch here in my pocket."

During those years—the '70's and onward—Williamson's old affection for the country relatives and country life was as warm as ever, manifesting itself in various ways as occasion offered.

In 1875 he came to the rescue of the Library Company at Fallsington, the village of his early years. The Library was incorporated in 1802—the year preceding his birth—with thirty-five shareholders. It began with 138 volumes, some of which are still in service. As a boy and young man he must have made use of the Library frequently. It had been maintained after a fashion ever since, but its scope was very limited and in the early '70's