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

tain IIamilton-a general favorite, who
commanded schooner, and who had
been gone so long that all feared that he
was dead But there he was, and how
they shouted over him. and shook hands.
and crowded around him. and welcomed
him! And how he gave the history of his
long absence, and how his wife was first
noticed as she had slipped into the room,
crying over his sufferings and her present
joy.
So they spent the evcning-happy and
joyful. But TO the Lincs's there was n
double joy; for Capt Hamilton told Mrs.
Lines that he had met her brother in the
Indies. and that he was well and would
be at home the next year. He, too. was
supposed to be dead, and when Captain
Hamilton produced package carefully
done up, will, foreign look about it, the
good woman trcmblcd and dropped some
nervous tears. But the ladies were all
so curious to see what was in the pack
agc that the seals were broken and the
parcel opened. when out came large,
warm, beautiful shawl, on which was
written, "For my beloved sister" How
the ladies did admire it And l am not
sure they did not envy it. and wish they
had brother who would go off so, and
send them such n shawl.
But the evening WAS spent now, and
the delighted owner OF the shawl, and her
husband. were told by Mr.. Hough that
| he had two-horse sleigh. with douole
seats. and if they would take seat with
them, he would just drop his own vile at
her door would take them round the pond
about mile further than the direct road
home. But never mind In due season
they would get home.
In bidding them goodbye, the General
merely SAID
"Neighbor Lines, you won't forget our
meeting tomorrow. Bring the sealed
paper And by the by, your sleigh is in
ruins. have got m old one | will lend
you or sell you when you take your horse
to morrow"
The company dispersed, but when Mr..
and Mrs. Lines reached Mr.. lIough's, out
came their hired man with huge basket
of apples.
1--WE understand you have no apples,
and we thought your boys would like
some"
A hearty thank ye," and in went the
apples in company with the precious shawl,
and in due time the Liness arrived at
home. safe and sound.
The next day only hali-an-hour behind
the time. Mr.. Lines came to the Gener-
ais house, on the business Of the Jon es
estate.
On coming to the door, the General
met Mr.. Lines, and pointing to a very
comfortable sleigh. said. That's the
sleigh spoke of. will lend it to you or
sell it-just rs you please"
"What do you think it worthP"
al think it worth ten dollars, but you
may have il for five
Very well, will take it, and the bar
gain is closed"
On entering the house. it was soon an
nounced that the Jones case was not
ready, and consequently they could do
nothing about it on that day.
But it SO happened that before they
were aware OF it the friends were again
in the thckest OF the old theological bat
tlo-Divine purposes and human freedom.
The one asserting that God could plan
everything, and foreknow how and when
everything could come to pass, and yet
leave us free, and the other as stoutly de-
nying this to be possible. At length the
General says:
"Neighbor Lines. have you that sealed
paper that left with you?"
"Yes. here it is
"Do you know what is written in it?"
ono, not word Of it,"
You are satisfied it was written, and
sealed up. before you came here on Wis
it yesterday"
"Yes-but what then?"
"Will you please to break the seal and
read it?"
Carefully, and with puzzled look, Mr.,
Lines broke the seal and real as follows:
morrow am going to invite COM
pany to my house. Among those invited
will be Mr.. and Mrs. Lines. They will
leave their home somewhat after six in
the evening; they will drive fast, and in
crossing the bridge at Cedar Lake. they
will run off the bridge and tumble in the
snow on the ice. But my two hired men
will be there to help them, one to bring
them in my sleigh, and the other to lead
their horse, for the fall off the bridge
will break their sleigh all to a wreck.
At my house they will meet goodly
company, and Mrs. Lines will meet with
three things that will surprise her. First
she will meet with an old friend, whom
she will be very glad to see. Second,
she will hear from relative what will
make her very happy, and thirdly, she
will receive present that will make her
very glad and little proud. After this
the Houghs will carry them home safely,
but they will 60 up around the lake. and
at Mr. Houoh's door they will receive