Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-03-18

choose to. So he may know everything,
but he doesn't choose to! | have got you
now General, hare l not 3'
Got me ! yes, just rs saw man get
an old negro slave into the same corner.
When told that God could do everything.
but chose not 10 do il, anil SO could ktoW
everything, but chose not to-the poor
fellow scratched his woolly head mo-
ment, and then replied Den | think
the good Lord makes mistake, for pears
to me He ought to know everything. so
that He might know what He wouldn't
choose TO know"
As Mr.. Lines often boasted that he
rather thought that he go. a leetie the
best of the argument in their last conver-
sation, the General determined to put
the argument for his side in q new form.
As he kept the plan all to himself. no.
body had any share in it. He called one
afternoon on Mr.. Lines. but found him
not at home. So he talked with the boys,
heard their account of their skating. and
especially of their sliding down hill in
fathers big sleigh. The General looked
at the old sleigh rs he passed along. and
left word that he wanted TO see Mr.. Lines.
and would call again the next afternoon.
Accordingly Mr.. Lines expected him.
and prepared himself for real theologi-
cal battle. But on arriving the General
simply said. "Neighbor Lines. wife has
invited some company tomorrow night,
and sent me over to invite you and Mrs.
Lines 10 come also. Now don't refuse
us--l shall esteem it a particult r favor if
You don't Mrs. Lines had many things
TO say about having nothing fit to wear,
and about appearing like fright, and
soaring all the company, and about Mrs.
Wizards being ashamed OF her. and all
that, but her delight at the thought of
going was so manifest that the gun did
not hang fire long. and the bargain was
made.
Now we are 10 have tea at six, and
we want You to be there punctual. Don't
fail on any account. Mrs Lines"
"By the way, neighbor Lines. don't we
meet day after tomorrow about tho ref
crence business of Ansel Jones ?"
"Yes, we meet at your house at three
o'clock in the afternoon
VERY well; won't you please keep this
paper till then, and bring it with you
You see it n sealed up, but we will open
it then and see wha, it contains For
particular reasons thought you had bot
ter keep it. Good day. Don't forget six
o'clock tomorrow"
Mr. Lines turned over the paper again
and again, rs if he could find some crew
ice ont OF which its contents might ooze.
Mrs. Lines held it up to the candle, as if
il might be translucent; but no, it WAS
sealed and mysterious, and not conjec-
ture could be made to stick to it.
The morrow evening came, and the
sun went down in clouds and darkness,
as the winter suns are very apt to set
The night seemed to come on rapidly and
before Mr. Lines had shaved his iace, and
Mrs. L. had donned her very best, and
had lifted and pulled her cap every way,
aud had taken out her old, faded shawl,
the only one she had had since her mar
riage. and before the old horse was har
messed in the old sleigh, it was full
quarter past six-the time set to be at the
Generals. How they did hurry now!
But the boys had put the reius in wron g,
and that must be corrected, then the whip
had TO be looked up, and then Mrs. l..
had forgotten her gloves, and could not
tell exactly where they were. But at last
hurried and Hurried. they were ready 10
move. The old horse caught the spirit
of hurry, and scampered off rs il he knew
mischief would be to pay if he lost mo-
ment.
1t was dark now, but OH rushed old
Kate, making the snow creak, and the old
sleigh tremble in every joint. Then they
came TO the bridge, over the outlet OF Ce-
dar Lake, and in rushing over, pop went
the sleigh off one side, spilling them out
on the snow covered ice. They were not
hurt, but the old sleigh was demolished.
Just rs they were saying, ''What shall
we now do?' sleigh, with two men,
drove up and stopped.
81 say, Mr.. Lines, is it you?"
"Yes; but who are you?"
1--WE are Mr.. Willard's hired men,
You were going there, l expect"
YES, we were.n
VERY well, jump into my sleigh, and
| will carry you there in a jiffy, while Joe
leads yonr horse after US. He will put it
in the barn safe. Your sleigh's about
done for, expect"
Under way again, they were soon al
the General's-only three quarters of an
hour after time. But they were belated.
and they broke down. though they ac-
knowledged that that did not hinder them
long. And how queer that the Generals
man. Larkiu, should happen to be there
at the very moment, and take them in his
sleigh. The General seemed to enjoy the
strangeness, too. tor he gave soft little
laugh. ending it in small cough.
But the company was all there. and all
m, 6r,, m Tod n l;ttla cnpSfra In adly NC all