Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-07-30


needed more looking after than they go
from the sun, moon and stars aad the city
watchman, and she had long been trying
to act thepart ofthe good Samaritan, ant
go with tho oil and the wine, when sht
should have discovered the nature Of th'
family wound. So, whenever one dd ,ht
Writings came in sight, she put dowr
her paper and put on her glass.
benjamin. said she, presently, drop
ping her glass, and rocking till her dress
rustled like an oak tree in north wind
Benjamin you cannot guess what ha!
happened now!
Benjamin did not seem inclined to try
the task being SO hopeless, and Miss Dis
brow went on:
That Bridget Geoakcs she is rcck
less thing-rve long seen that and Won'
dered Mrs. Whiting kept her so-she ha'
been and left pillow on the balcony rail
ing. Went off and left it. OF course Tho
wind took it, and so there it lies, ruifling
embroidery and all right down in the gut
ter, liable to be stolen by every passer by
Now. Benjamin, would you. or wouldn
you, go over and tell them?"
Beniamin's face, about one eye, was
black, aud the rest of his face being en-
tirely white. this gave him n peculiar
knowing expression when he cooked uT
that eve, rs he had 8 way of doing. And
now he turned his black eye upon Mis-:
Disbrow, with quite the appearance oI
winkiug at her. Perhaps, indeed, he did
Anyhow, there was evidently some free.
masonry between them. for Miss Disbrow
instantly responded, just as thoughhe had
spoken
well. then, will. Benjamin. Why
are we put into this world together If moi
10 help each othcr?" said she, rs with IN
air of virtuous responsibility she threw a
little maize colorcd rigolette over her
weather beaten curls. aud a white break
fast shawl over her shoulders Then
putting on her gloves, with the dignity OF
circumnavigator, she started across the
street.
One might fancy she would pick up the
unfortunate pillow upon the way; but no
i hope she was above meddling with
her neighbours things. Certainly. She
walkcdimpressively to the door and rang
the bell, which was instantly answered
by Whiting himself, with carpet-bag in
his hand, and his hat on his head.
Going away, are you?" said Miss
Disbrow. diverted, for the time. from her
original errand by IN opportunity of in
serting the wedge Of inquiry.
"Ah, Miss Disbrow' Yes, am going
to Chicago, on little business trip. Wont
YOU come in"
Thank you, Mr.. Whiting, not thi:
morning. Does your wife accompany
you2"
mo, she doesn't. She is going to Gin
cinati for few days replied Mr.. Whit
ing, who was guileless as q spring chick
en-, and not much more OF mouthtul fol
the manevcring black fox, who alway:
found a great deal more flavor in anything
she had first unearthed by sSilliul digging
You had better come" continued he
cordially, Mrs. Whiting is busy packing
but she will be glad to see YOU" Anc
the deluded man really believed so; for
although he had lived in such close rela
ton with Mrs. Whiting for five years he
was only man. after all.
But Miss Disbrow was woman. and
so she knew great deal better than to bs
persuaded that person is glad TO see
callers when packing. "Oh, no indeed
Mr.. Whiting. Thank you; but just came
over in neighborly way, to tell you OF
little accident l happened to observe
E,om my window. A pillow fell from the
balustrade where your chambermaid yer,
carelessly left it. and is now lying upon
the sidewalk. l was fearful it might come
to grief before any of the family missed
it. Good morning. And SO speaking
Miss Disbrow bowed andrustled away.
benjamin. said she, mysteriously
when she reached her own rocking-chall
again. Il cannot see why Mrs. Whiting
takes the time to go to Cincinnati wher
her husband is away 1t would be my
choice not to leave the house alone witt
that flighty Bridget Geoakes. Or then
why not Mrs. Whiting go to-day. while
her husband is here to see her of?
can't understand it."
And with this Miss Disbrow fell into s
fit of musing, and mused SO long and ST
lently that Benjamin fell asleep ane
dreamed he knew where there was
woodchuck's hole. with woodchuck in it
Meantime Mr.. Whiting kissed his wife
(probably,) took his valise, and went on
happily unconscious of q cloud no bigger
than mans hand already coming up il
his domestic sky. He thought OF nc
shadow darker than the bank Of heav!
dampness hanging above his head in ths
heavens. And that very evening those
vaporous clouds, having sulked long
enough over the wretched condition o
the muddy streets, made up their mind
aud expressed it by coming down in an
emphatic fall OF snow, that glided from
umbrellas and drifted against windows
like slipping off Of great white blankets
By day-dawn the streets and roofs ant