Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-06-20

that, said 10 rather evasively.
oval. you know what think right
out flatlootedl Your hanging around
that girl, and expect you will get n
weakly wife on your hands, who will be
whining around with neuraligy or highpo
half the time. Obed is shiftless. don't
mean that he is lazy, but he aint got no
kalkerlation. His wits are off wool
gathering halt the time, and Salome is
cut ont of the same piece of cloth. She's
as easy rs nm old shoe, and would snoZ.
zlc round house ami tend II lot of flow
ers, no matter whether there was any
bread in the cupboard or not. II you
are ever going to get along in The world,
you must marry woman that can help
You push and pull, rs I'rc helped your
ialhrr-a regular Stavcr. that can put her
shoulder to the wheel, and not bundle
OF aches and pains tied around the middle
with string. who will eat YOU mp with
doctors bills"
Here was the Burnham valuation of n
woman put into the plainest words, and
they madc 10 vince.
"Salomc isn't sickly," said 10 in a
gloomy tone. "She may not be quite rs
strong rs some girls, but feel sure that
she will turn out healthy woman.
have told you before that don't intend
o marry drudge OF u glare. | shant
look for wife 10 do my cooking. and
washing. and scrubbing, and nothing
else want n human companion, and
il have man to help me on the farm,
my wife shall have II girl 10 help in the
Kitchen. | Shaut look on wiCo n
would on horse. \ man gets his eye
on II girl. and he longs Tor her, and likes
her-hc can't tell why. She is different
to him from any other woman in the
word. he can't be happy without her
1t isn't thing for fellow to be ashamed
Of, neither. il he's got one spark of man.
lincSs in him; and that's the way | feel
towards Salome"
Granny" exclaimed Mrs. Dacres,
bringing her broad hand down on the arm
of her chair, at the hcighth of the young
fellows ardor.
II don't ask for yout money. returned
10, rather savagely. IL shall take what
grandfather left me, and stock hired
farm, and then shall ask Saome to be
my wife"
He strobe ont of the house without
eating his dinner, and marched off to the
woods To free his mind OF excitement
As he was getting over The snake fence
by the roadside, he saw Elder Norlhup
sop under the cherry trees in front OF
the Fairman farmhouse. and fasten his
horse. The elder was little man, and
his Sunday suit seemed to tyrannize over
him n good deal. His coat cuffs descend
ed over his hands, tult OF stiff hair
stood up above his narrow forehead. nnd
he spoke with slight snuillc.
Mrs Fairman was ironing by the table
when she saw him ride up, 80 she put the
flat iron hack ON the stove. and went out
on the Stoop TO meet him.
"Im So glad you've happened along
to-day" said she with her tace withdrawn
into its usual FUCKERS of anxious concern.
Perhaps you've heard ihnt Obcd got
hult. He's laid up now, and | thought
mebbe if you should talk with him there
might be an awakening. You don't
know how wrestlcd in prayer To bring
Obed To conviction. often think OF
what the Bible says about being unequal
ly Noked with an unbeliever-not that |
would have it thought that Obed amt II
good, moral man. kind to his women
lolks, and rs good . provdcr rs he can
be, when times amt hard; but it's been
trial"
Il know il has. sister. These are all
filthy Rags of seli-righteousncss," said the
elder, taking out his bandanna and wip.
ing the dust from his thin legs. The
human heart is decetful above all things,
despritly wicked"
Salomc had been smoothing Obed's
iron-grey hair. He loved to feel the
touch OF her delicate fingers One big,
brown hand, with prominent joints, lay
on the patched quilt. and the mans face,
so rugged and homely, with still u
dreamy look in his eyes. was soltened
with an almost chldlike expression of
peace. Mrs. Fairman came ushering in
the elder.
'"Glad to see you" said Obcd to the
little parson, and he put ont his hand
with genuine warmth. "l've had little
pull back. but the doctor says shall be
round again in day or two"
"Ahemm returned the elder, clearing
his throat; "the Lord sends seasons OF
affiiction upon us to bring us to u sense of
SIM
II don't know about that" returned
Obed. with his eyes Frightening. al amt
as familiar with the Lords intentions rs
some folks profess TO be, and as for the
trouble. guess we bring most OF it on
ourselves"
THAT amt Bible doctrine" returned
the elder, shaking his head rather dis
mally. 1t may do to live by. but it won't
serve in the hour of DEATH"
81 don't know why said Obed, whet-
ting his argumentative weapon. Il guess
what will stand in this life will stand in
any other"