Once Around the Carousel

Chapter Twelve

Titus funded many projects upon his return, eventually giving away 75% of his inheritance. Atop his list of projects, he placed the expansion of the Metuchin Public Library. The money allocated to the library was a pittance compared to other projects he initiated, like the Pediatric Medical Ward at Yale. Yet, it held a special place in his heart.

Metuchin's original library, a one-room, white clapboard structure built on the town square in 1764, had served the town well. But Titus believed education would be crucial for New England's transition from the mills and factories that had made his family so wealthy. So, believing the small library no longer satisfied the town's needs, Titus paid for a modern addition – three times the size of the original building. Moreover, to keep the new space up to date, he funded a trust for Librarians, the continual purchase of new books, reference materials, and an array of children's programs.

Titus kept nearly all of his philanthropy anonymous, making an exception only for Metuchin's library. He remembered going there with his parents and dedicated the new wing in their honor. And that is precisely where Linda Stapelton and Sharon MacCalaster were drawn to on Friday afternoons 12 years later – the Lillian and William Dwight Room at the Metuchin Public Library.

The girls didn't always take out books on their afternoon visits, although Linda usually picked out something. And when they did, their library cards were an unnecessary formality. Mrs. Kweller, the Librarian, hired when the new wing opened, knew the townie kids by sight. She had sixty or more regulars, none of whom she treasured more than Linda. Still, Linda felt funny checking out books after putting her card in the basket they made for Titus and started asking Sharon to take them out for her. Sharon went along with the game for a few weeks, then decided to end Linda's silliness and discover what happened to people who lost their cards.

At close to 5:00, Sharon and Linda went up to the counter, "Mrs. Kweller, what happens to people who lose their library cards?" Sharon asked, setting a couple of books on the counter.

"Well, Sharon, I have a large wooden paddle in the back," Mrs. Kweller said with only the slightest of smiles creeping in. "I hold the young lady here until after we've closed and spank her. I wait until we close, though. This is a library after all, and sometimes the screaming is unbearable."

The girls snickered. They adored Mrs. Kweller; she treated them dearly, particularly Linda, who she referred to as the 'Gemstone of Metuchin.'

"Unless the girl in question is named Linda Stapelton," she continued, reaching into the drawer of the library's main desk and taking out a card already made out in Linda's name. "In that case, I give her a new one."

"How did you know I lost my card," Linda asked in amazement.

"My dear girl, I've watched Sharon check out your books for the last three weeks."

"How did you know," they asked in unison, believing they'd pulled off a clever charade.

"A new Nancy Drew Mystery," she said, picking up the books Sharon had placed on the counter. "Sharon, this is actually yours. But this Anthology of Greek Mythology is certainly Linda's. Do you think I don't know what kind of books you two read?"

As Mrs. Kweller finished, a stirring came from the small office behind the counter. "I bet I'd get the paddle if I lost my card," they heard a familiar voice saying.

The girls looked at each other in nervous anticipation as the door opened, and Titus walked out dressed in a sports jacket with patches on the elbows and wearing a necktie. They thought he looked like a grown-up, except for his shaggy hair and wrinkled khakis.

"Mrs. Kweller, I've signed everything you told me to. It would be much easier for all concerned if you let the bank change things, so you signed the papers and checks yourself."