Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-09-03

ing," replied She briskly. "But may .be
you're tired. | never know when 10 stop
talking, specially il it's about Dorcmy
and the boys.
There's no romance about the story,
hut seems 10 mo it tells considerable or
one wonan's patience and courage, aud
smartncss too. There's a saying about
old maids children, and | must say
rather expected Dofcmy'd bring 'em up
either to have THEN own way in every
thing or mover have it at ALL But the,ic
Just right; healthy. well. hammered. and
loving their Aunt Dory, rs they call her,
just as much as they'd ought to love her.
Aud that's saying considerable" added
Mrs. l,lalchlord, with emphasis. as she
hustled out ul the room obedienily TO
the old clocks whcezy signal of the lea.
hour. which, like the laws OF the Medes
and PEI slams. altered not in this primitive
region all The year round.
Three summers went by before quiet
little Cherry rywood again held me ~ u
seeker alter rest and refrcshment among
It's hills and hospitable rustic people
Once more Widow Blatchford opened hei
doors TO me and installed me monarch Of
her keeping 'room," and the breezy
chamber above it, II vas not 10 her dis
pleasure that one OF my first inquiries
should relate to Dorema Fletcher and her
adopted children.
There, knew YOU wouldn't forget
about thcm." said she, deliShtcdIy. Il
Thought you'd like To hear OF it when
things happened Ms they did. You re
member told you how well Doremy
alter you lett that Squire Luco's wife
died, and along the aIl after he spoke To
Doremy. Said he'd noticed how well
.hc brought up Johnny and Jimmy, and
he had seven boys and girls needing 20
be taken in hand. and-well, the upshot
was Dsrcmy could be Mrs. Luce for say
lug so. What did she think OF it Il
don't Know says she. kind of flushed up
but stead, spoken. 'Tisn't exactly mI
idea oi marriage to make ust con
renieuce OF it. And can: say that |
,scl calling toward your children us |
did to my boys. Well says the squire,
can't YOU take it rs kind OF duty? BE
sides. calculate my wiie'll bo considers
hiy respected. and have rs good rs the
best
"'How about Jimmy and Johnny ?
says She. Well says the squire again,
about the boys-I calculate to do well
by them, Of course. Might bind out
one. and let The other help on the farm, |
guess They're old enough To work CON
siderable lie talked u spell longtr,and
Dorcmy listened as quiet rs ever Then
say she, Il thank YOU kindly. S4u.tc
Luce. but don't go 10 no house that isn't
open To my boy. too. Do you think I've
loved 'em and worked lor 'em all these
caIs Ia turn EN- oil now FOR seven
strangers And you expect silk dresses
will make it easy. Furthermore she
says. Il aint very young now. but do
hold to loving being The only ground lnr
folks 10 marry on, and that's out OF the
question for you aud me-
The squire was real provoked; but,
my his feelings wasn't nothing 10 the
feelings ot other folks whom they found
o., about il /, Singular how interested
everybody is in the settlement of what
don't concern but two people, isn't 1t ?"
said Mrs. BIatchlor'l, taking breath after
her eagerly told story.
$50 she aud the boys live rs they did P"
| said
That's the best oil il, said my smiling
hostess. Along back, two months or
So, when every body got tired Of berat-
Ing Doremy Tor throwing away her bread
and butter. and sacrificing herself and
her blind mother to those boys, u stranger
came to town. He was nice appearing
man from The West, and began TO inquire
all round Tor any family by the name Of
HapgoOd. Come to cipher it all out, why
he was Eben llapgood's brother, and own
uncle 10 Doremy's twins. He'd worked
along until he was tolerably rich. and
concluded TO come eastward and hunt up
his brolhcr~nevcr expected not to find
him alive you see"
"Wrll. lie was iust delighted with th c
boys; seemed as il he couldn't make
enough ri 'cm. His mind was set upon
taking 'cm home with him and who could
gainsay it? He WAS rich had no chill
ircn, and was their next OF kin. Dore-
my's heart was like TO break. but she
faced the trial. Il ought to feel it u
Providence said she, 4 suppose. They
are getting to need better advantages
than oan give EN-; mothers failing,
AMI can't even do MS much as | have.
/ must Try to be willing another should
take what amt equal to carrying; and
not stand in their light. But. my boys,
I'll keep you. if | had right, and nothing
should part us this side heaven
with that Doremy broke down and
hid her eyes. But Jimmy hugged her
round the neck and says as clear rs a
bell. Il won't 60, Aunt Dory. Not step
away from you. It's getting my turn to
work for you. soon
"Then Silss Hapgood spoke. DO you