Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-12-26

seemed an hOur t'me, snouSn oh'y 'e"
minutes. that he was putting on his clothes.
When We were ou, OF hearing OF nv
mother. I told him Of tho sounds and OF the
smell OF blood. lie always Believed mo
when | told him Of anything that seemed
incredible. for he had much experience ol
tho truth OF the testimony OF my senses.
Z" Father" said I. {" half q mils from
here. close TO tho post road. n human being
is lying, bleeding to death, Mn sure OF
it,"
Nv father took lantern. and went to
William Cumming I dressed, and when
they came. lei tho way to the spot. where
I was convinced we should find some ono
dead or dying Tho bowling OF the dog
that preceded us. struck Us all with sad
solemniiy. As We drew near the edsc OF
tho acld. which was bounded ~ the road,
NO .aw horse standing. and {" We came
nearer. we saw il wa. Selim. Lying beside
him was man. Ny father stopped TO cI.
anime. and said
believe he 10 dead"
The halter was buckled 10 bis arm. and
he wa' bitten horribly In his arms and legs.
and had hled to death. They raised him,
and placed him on the back OF the now do
clio Sellm, thinking ,ha, perhap, no had
only tainted They took him TO our hou.c,
hu, he was quite dead. lie proved TO be
the thief who had stolen Selim before. and
who had Only been three days out Of prison.
After necessary iormali,ie., the poor wretch
was buried. Selim never passed. the place
where he had killed him. without being
seized with q severe 'hudderins.
was very III from tho shock Of this
dreadful scene. I b-licre vas out Of my
senses. and had q sort Of brain fever. which
was very much aggravated when the widow
Jameson called 80 sec me.
When I was rccorcrinc-whch ! was very
we'll. bat very wcak-l was ono day alone
with William Cumming ! was looking at
him. and thinking how no. 10 and handsome
he Vas. and then thought OF the widow
jameson, and Of her beauty. and said:
Uncle William, la, Mrs. jameson rodo
Sclim yct?"
"Agnes. dear" ho aid. almost impa.
tien,'y, =" I wish you never would call mo
UnSc William again" and his forehead
had an ugly .cowl on il. which greatly mar.
red il. exceeding beauty.
| blushcd scarlet, but said nothing.
"Plca.c promise no, TO call mo uncle
again." he said. be.eechingly.
A .wee, thrill Of happiness stole into my
heart. and I said. blushIng and smiling:
, why should I no, call you uncle, and
Mrs. Jameson aunt. when shc is your
wife"
"My vile :" said be. vchencntly. "I
shall never marry, unless my Little Agnes
will be my wife"
"You will no. marry little witch ?" |
said.
"And you will no, marry an old bachcl'
or. almost Ms old as your father" said he.
wanted to sny Who said | would
not? but did say: :" ! AN 90 strange
and unlike everybody else. that you could
no, b. willing to take me for your wife"
willing" -aid William, 4" | would
give tho wealth of the worl! to call you my
wife. little witch a' you are. Will you
leave of calling me Uncle william, and DO
my little wife, Agnes. my hearts pet. my
darling"
| was sitting beside him in my weakness !;
his arm stole around my waist. my head
sunk upon hi. bosom, hs cla,ped me in q
icrvent embrace and said:
"Mino forever" and answered: "Alinc
forever"
Selm is eighteen years old TO day. and
NV eldest daughter is ten. She is q lovely
girl, and, to my great joy. she is no way pe-
cul,ar; unless being u great romp. andvery
brilliant and healthy in her complexion,
may DO considered unusual in this day OF
prim schools and pale girls.
One thing Is certain. and IL is q great
comfort 10 me. that though she 10 child OF
sooi sense. and capacity ior moral and in.
tellectual attainment. she iS never called u
little witch" Chambers.