Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-01-29

scream. And women are too shy or TOO
sensible-which you choose-for that"
"Did YOU ever, in all your wanderings,
meet any one by the name of Samuel
payson?" asked the widow ,unconcernedly.
The stranger looked towards her-she
was rummaging mt the table drawer for
her knitting work, and did not notice
him When it was found, and the nee
dies in motion, he answered her.
"Payson? Sam Payson' Why, he was my
most intimate friend. DO you know
him?"
a little-that is, used to when l was
girl. Where did You meet him''
.'IIe went with me on the whaling
voyage | told YOU of-and afterwards to
California. We had tent together, and
some other fellows with us, and we dug
in the same claim for more than six
months
Il suppose he is quite well?'
Strong rs an OK, my dear lady"
"And-and happy" pursued the widow
bending over her knitting.
Hum, the less said about that The
better, perhaps. But he seemed to enjoy
life after fashion of his own. And he
got rich out there, or rather, will Say,
well oil.
Mrs. Cobb did not pay much attention
to that part of the story Evidently she
had not finished asking questions, But
she was puzzled about her next one. At
last she brought it out beautifully.
WAS his wife with him in Califor
nia?"
Ills wife, msam' Why. bless you,
he has not cot one"
"Oh. thought meant heard
here the little widow remembered the
fate OF Ananias and Sapphirl, and stop
ped short before She told such tre-
mend0Gs iib.
Whatever you heard of his marrying
was all nonsense, can assure You. !
know him well, and he had no thought of
the kind about him Some of the boys
used to tease him about it, but he soon
made them stop
How
"lIe just told then frankly that the only
woman he ever loved had lifted him years
before. and married another man. Afler
that no one ever mentioned the subject
again, except me"
Mrs. Cobb laid her knitting aside and
looked ,houghtiully into the fire,
lie was another specimen of the class
of men ! was speaking of. have seen
him face death score of times ~ quietly
as face the fire. II matters very little
who takes me Off, hc used to say; Nv
nothing to live for, and there is no one
that will she'd a tear for me when i am
gone It's sad thought for . man 20
have, isn't it."
Mrs. Cobb sighed as sine said she
thought it was.
Blu, did he ever til you the name of
the lady who Tilted him"
II knew her first name"
What WAS it?"
Maria"
The plump little widow almost started
out of her chair; her name was spoken
exactly rs sam would have said it.
Did You know her too?" he asked.
looking kccnly AT her.
Yes"
Intimately"
"Ycs."
And where is she nowo Still happy
with her husband, | suppose, and never
giving u thought to the poor fellow she
drove ont into the world"
No" said Mrs Cobb, shading her
face with her hand, and speaking un-
steadily. mo. her husband is dead"
"Ah, but still she never thinks Of
Sam?n
There was a dead silence.
"Does shc?'
How can tell?n
Are YOU still friends"
"Yes.n
"Then you ought to know, and you DO.
Tell me-
Il am sure don't know why should.
But il do, you mus, promise me. on
your honor never TO tell him, if you ever
happen to meet him again
Madame, what you say to me never
shall be repeated to any mortal man,
upon my honor"
"Wel. then. she does remember him."
But how?"
"As kindly, think, as he could wish"
IL am glad 10 hear it for his sake.
You and | are friends OF both parties.
We can rejoice with each other"
He drew his chair much nearer hers
and took her hand. One moment the
widow resisted, but it was magnetic
touch the rosy palm lay quietly in his
and the dark beard bent so low that 1t
nearly touched her shoulder. 1t did not
matter much. Was he not Samnel's
dear friende If he was not the rose, had
he not dwelt very near it for a long,
long time?
at was foolish quarrel that parted
them,n said the stranger softly.
.'Did he tell you about it,"
"Yes, on board the whaler."
..Did he blame her much?"
..N.. -. ..,,,nl, ne hinnsalf He said