Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-24
Selttt Storp.
NUMBER ONE.
m MRS. :. p. DOUGHTY.

..'Take,care ot No. l., that is my
mo.,o. gentlemen, s.,id Mr.. Markham,
and as he 81. ukc hc bultoucd his coat
tjghll, about him, "a, it he thought that
his act would be convincing prool, 10 his
auditors, that he intended to act up to The
sentiment he had just expressed.
but. surely, We are comm Udri TO
ac.p one auother, "a, the reply I'VE
should do ~ W. would hc done bl
Exactly agree To that last PROPOSE
lion. 1t my barn should be burned
down. / should not wish t. have my
neisbbors ASKED to share the expense OF
having /, rebuilt.
Certainly not, because YOU have COM
pagaiiycly ample means. and could easily
have % rebuilt Yourself But you may
bc placed in situation when help from
another will De- necessary to YOU.
Possible; but have never yet found
il 80. believe every cuc can take care
oG himself II he ha, The disposition to do
So Imu.t Drg yuu tn excuse me. gentle
men i, i, time that was on my Way to
The city"
The disappointed visitors took leave,
aud Mr. MarAham returned to the com
fo,tab,c apartment, where his wife and
children were awaiting him.
lit WAS carly tor callers" remarked
Mr, Markham. Who were they, my
dcar2"
Two gentlemen. who are trying TO
-ct up a subscription 20 rebuild MIR. Law
>ou's .,.rn, which WAS burncd three or
lour months since, iu.t before We moved
here
Mr. Lawson! Is he our next neigh
bor:
Yes YOU can sec hi, house from the
uudov-tha, ,uraII, old fashioned farm
house. The barn stood ON iuc other side
OF The road aud wa, really quite a good
building II Was y great loss To him,
though there Was some Insurance.
How much did You give, IIarry?'
Nothing at al! Ii WAS great piece
of assurance 10 come To me- We have
not lived in the town tor more than three
months. and barely know Mr.. Lawson by
sight, What possible claim has he upon
me Tor assistance Besides. alway ;
stick to my motto, take care OF number
one
Mrs. Markham looked thoughtful and
shook her head
u 10 mo-, like that motto. Henry" she
said
Neither do !, father :" exclaimed a
bright eyed little girl who WAS an al;en.
tive listener to the conversation; "ior
Robbie and want YOU to bring us some
candy from the city. this evening. aud if
YOU only take care OF number one, am
afraid YOU viii forget it.
Never fear, Miss Pert, was the laugh
ing reply. Number one includes q
mans whole family. How do you like
that?"
That is better, iatheri so please don't
forget the candy" Returned the child,
well satisfied with the explanation; but
the mother still looked thoughtful, and
as her husband stopped for his good bye
kiss, she whispered:
1--WE arc all members OF one great
family, Henry"
'Yes-perhaps so. was the halt re.
uctaut admission; "but have no time
to think about it now. Good.morning to
YOU ali !"
What changes will take place in one
short day In the morning aIl may be
calm anu bright. and ere nightlall the
widest storm is sometimes raging.
A dark shadow bad fallen over the
Markham household, during his cusloma-
~ absence, on the day of onr story
Little Julia-NIiss Pert. As her father had
called her in the morning-had been
taken suddenly i'll, and her symptoms
seemed 50 alarming that the mother was
anNiously awaiting the arrival of her
husband. that she might consult with him
in regard to sending for physician.
Certainly; will 20 for DIR. Merrill at
once" said Mr.. Mart ham, rs he bent
foudly over the little. sufferer, who WAS
in a burning lever. and tossing restlessly
upon hen pillow.
Here is the candy she asked for" he
added. in u lower tone, as he handed his
vile small parcel; "but it will be bet
rer not to offer il to her now"