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

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asking him to fight. I'VE have to 60
around three miles in n sleigh, and take
the train on the other side. Fine chance
Tor sleighride," added the contentsd
soul, whose wife sat in the seat beside
him, crotcheting very minute sack.
Sure enough! First an hour OF ignomin-
ious waiting, then the crowded, tedious
transportation Of five hundred men and
women, and each of their FIVE hundred
trunks, over and back. A cycle of time
TO man with swarm of bees in his
heart
But "all things come roupd tohim who
waits" and ut last they steamed off be-
yond the broken bridge. slower, though
than ever; for the road was washed, and
the train was heavy. Yet at last that ride
ended also, although it was away through
the night, and finally daybreak, and even
broad morning before the belated train
reached Cleveland.
1t was too early for the street cars, and
being off time, there were no coaches in
waiting SO Mr.. Whiting at once started
to walk to the residence Of his wife's
father.
The day had broken, rough and windy,
as it always is in the beautiful Forest
City; and the clouded sky fiowned upon
the miserable husband as well rs the
smoky -stain,d shops and sloppy side
walks. Even Commodore Perry, upon
his pedestal in the park, seemed to look
s,onier than ever, as he gazed of upon
the lev lake, with sort of pity that
forebore to look down upon the human
wretcheduess he had himself done with
years ago and ago.
Mr.. Whiting hurried on. hardly COM
pretending his errand, OF what he feared,
until he came TO the house OF his father
in-law-a pretty gothic cottage, set far
back on lawn, behind linden-trees. The
house WAS shut up and silent; but Mrs.
Whiting was always n lark at rising. and
as her husband involuntarily looked up
at the window Of the room they had so
often occupied, he saw her just looping
back the curtains, rs cheerful and bright
as buttcrcup And before he was half
way mp the walk, she was through the
doorway and down to meet him, smiling
like morning glory.
IL didn't expect you before tomorrow.
she cried, in girlish JOY. al thought you
wouldn't get my letter in time. Nobody
is up but me isn't that splendidd Nobody
in the whole house We will 90 down to
breakfast before they know you are here.
Why, how delightful! 1 could just hug
that old mail carrier for taking around
my letter in time. But wasn't it mag
niicent that Theodore happened to see
me? He said it was all luck and chance
he did not go out on the other side OF the
depot. And we were justin time 10 catch
the Cleveland train"
Theodore was Mrs. Writings eldest
brother, just on his way home from India
And directly at the mention of his name,
a stone of as many rs twenty tons fell
from Mr.. Writings heart which. in con-
sequence. felt lighter than sponge-bread
80 you thought you would come right
home with Theodore, instead of going TO
Cincinnati to see Sarah Gaegon," said
he.
"Why, yes Sarah is here. you know.
Didn't write you that? All OF US, broth
ers and sisters, are together, now you
have come" said Mrs. Whiting, growing
swceter with every word she spoke, in
the eyes ofthe happy husband.
Mr.. Whiting never told his wife his
comical and tragical mistake, and she
never suspected the embroidered cloak
and ermine furs he bought for her that
day were, in sober reality. thank offer
ings.