Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-10-01


sake of newspaper.
The next day called on my publisher
settled my accounts. and ordered my
paper discontinued.
"On what ground?" he asked in sur
prise.
"Nothing."I said, 81 can't afford it,
and walked away, leaving him to his
own reflection.
Time passed on; the day on which 1t
was due could not feel quite contented
at the non-appearance of my newspaper.
I missed The cheerful face Of the little
carrier and the interesting news he was
wont to bring on return of each week,
through fair weather and foul. There
were other papers about, forl bought one
occasionally, but these were published in
large cities, and contained no local news
of my own home.
A night when | reached home, my
eldest daughter, Mary, met me in the
hall.
"Whcrc Is the paper. papa? said she.
"Oh I am in such hurry to sec 1t. Matte
Trucworth's marriage il in it, and the
editor has published such an appropriate
verse in connection. am told"
But put her aside, saying, "Thc paper
will no, come any more. have ordered
II discontinued.
"Why, fath.r~ she exclaimed, chow
can we 10 without it?'
1--WE must learn to do without it, |
replied, as | passed on TO the supper
room.
After supper. instead of reading to my
family. sometimes leading their minds
away of 10 other scenes and distant
regions beautiful countries that others
have explored at great expense and some
risk OF life. sometimes TO the fierce fields
of blood and carnage pictured so wildly
that ,hcv seemed indeed. before us, while
we were safe and comfortable in our little
home; or singing over the stray waits Of
real poetry which often find their way
into the newspaper, touching tender
chord in every heart --as was wont to
do stretched myself upon the sofa and
tried TO sleep.
Tommy" whispered Mary, "run over
to Mr.. Wid's and see If you can't borrow
his paper"
But Tommy soon returned with the
answer that Mr.. Wild was reading 1t
himself,
Then 60 to NJ. Browns, and II You
can't get his, 90 to Mr.. Gates
But Tommy was not more successful at
any of these places. Mr.. Brown had
taken his paper down town, and Mr..
Gates didn't like to lend his; thought his
father took il, A disappointed sigh was
Mary's only answer.
The particulars of that murder affair
are in the paper this week" saiimy wife,
with slight frown upon her brow. land
| would really ike to see ill.,
And Minnie Milford's new story was
to come out in this weeks paper. Ireally
wish could borrow it somewhere said
Mary
Here. Tommy" said !, taking five
cents from my pocket, run down to the
news Office and buy n copy if its not too
late, and the publishing Office shut up
Tommy soon returned cut of breath.
I've run enough after that old news
paper" with Just touch OF his fathers
spunk. land won't do it again. The
publishing office was closed, and the news
office had not n number left. | would
like to find ont though when that celebra-
ton Is coming off Nobody knows for
sure but the paper. Is it in that, father"
he added. The minds of all as well rs
myself were on the missing paper, but |
WAS thoroughly out of patience with my
self, and with them. II tell you don't
know any thing about it, | replied, in
not very amiable tone, | fear. Seems
TO me you arc all very much interested in
the confounded paper since you know it
is stopped. don't want to hear another
word about it," This put quietus on
the subiect-.t least for time.
However, rs time passed on, began to
think that had made very little progress
in bettering my condition, and that
gathering information OF current events
by intercourse with others" was Il very
unreliable source. Every one gave
coloring peculiarly his own, and every one
needs read for himself to have correct
idea of what is going on around him.
Besides this, my business from dull
became duller, and eventually dullest;
while my neighbor across the way, with
no better qualifications or faculties than
myself seemed to be doing a thriving
business. Could it be because he adver-
tised in the local paper-that which
nobody took the trouble TO reado Doubt
ful.
One day I met an old friend and
customer whom l had often wondered
what had become of-as well as some
others of his neighbors, who were once
good paying customers Of mine.
"How are you?" said he, giving me his
hand. "How do you prosper? Going
down hill, eh?"
IL hope not" | replied, with faint
smile.