Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-07-23

"Have queer sort of an idee, somehow
that last remark is intended for me. All
day, Liz /! Hope tho next time round
you'll DO better natured."
Not word answered Liz. The ped.
dler jumped into his cart and drove away ;
aud in and out oil the suds went those
!; stalwart arms, the muscular and ungain.
ly form keeping time to the quick defiant
music of the rubbing board.
"Oh, he's gone. am 50 glad !" And
now the graceful figure came softly out
again and crept close to the side oi the
busy woman.
81 want you TO read my letter. Liz
the one have written to him."
well, whose him? There are two on
'em. you know" replied Liz quietly. and
with great self-possession.
ayes. Liz" and now The beautiful
brown eyes again overilowed, and the
sobbing child drew still nearer rs .he
whispered:
''ijut there is only one could w.nc lu,
ul course. even il knew where he va"
~IIh All accent on the personal pronuuu
which told the whole story.
Then what you mean TO tell IN, II
that Jou have just written istl,r t.
Hiram ScovillcP"
Yes. Liz"
Wal, 81 on"
"Dunt look At mo, Lih, whiir ,..,i II!
just said lhis YOU hnuW how father
and mother have been taxing on lately
calling ne undulilul AMI hcad,trong. and
obstinate, and saying that meant ~
bi eak their hearts"
lis this in the letter ?" 9ueried Liz
No; | am saying this ,o you You
know deary. how hard my life has burn
Tor the last six mon,hs-wel, ever since
~
Yes, Flory, know all about it, Now
read the letter before anybody comes in "
dear friend Hiram" came lremulous-
/ ly from the sweet lips.
"Iumphm grunted Liz.
What else could | sayg" said poor
Flory, despairinsly. "lie is my iiiend.
isn't he ?"
That depends pretty much On your
idea of friend. My friend don't torture
mo. lie saves me from suffering il he
can; and if he can't. bears il with me.
carrying as much of the burden ss God
will let him. No friend will ever ASK
woman to marry him tho second time 81
tor he has been once refused
"But Liz"
There are no butts in the CASE
Love makes men bold, and sometimes
reckless. You must think of that"
Love never does no saoh !hing." said
Liz, who was never known To be- gram.
malioal. save In tho moments of excite
ment.
The trembling girl commenced again.
Friend Hiram. Now. don't speak
agsid. please. Liz. till l finish," AS the
strange woman gave unmistakeable indi.
cations of inward rebellion. 1T is the
wish OF my parents that l write you, and
SAY il is theii desire should accept you
rs my futdre husband don't lovo you
one single bill, and | am sure | never
shall but IL you want me under these
circumstances have nolhing more To
Say, save that utterly refuse 10 receive
any especial attention from you proceed.
ing our marriage"
"Wal, now, VOW. Elory Avery, |
should laugh il anybody was laying
dead in the house, Tell man you've
made up your mind TO marry him, and At
the same time inform him that all The
courting has got to be postponed until
after the wedding. Do you suppose be-
cause minister has mumbled over
few words-nothing in the least disre-
spectiul to the minister intended-thal
on this account kisses and eourting will
be any more welcome than now?'
mo, Liz, no The thought OF il drives
mo wild; but there is nothing left Tor me
to do. Mother is Crying up stairs now;
aud iathsr has hardly spoken TO me for
whole week because OF my wiltulncss,
| have been reading the Biblo mr an
hour, Liz. dear, and that Is what has dc.
eided mo. The command is. Children
obey your parents p aud there is no way
| can dodge it.n
"Just like the rest of cdicatcd folks,
you have choked yourself TO death with
the letter and thrown the spirit over
board. Now my common sense tells me
that you don't understand the meaning OF
what you have been reading. II is:
Wives, oLoy your husbands in the Lord :
and 1t is, children obey your parents in
the Lord Now the Lord is love, Flory
dear, and he gives you these very feel.
ingS of like and dislike. this liking to be
with person. TO guide you through life.
They are weapons that the poor carnal
flesh couldn't get along without. Now
if you take the pistol that God puts in
your hands 70 keep the wild animals
away. and lay it down side of you. and
let the critters come in and devour you,
who's to blame, / wonder' You mustn't
think that your father ln heaven didn't
know what kind OF timber he was putting
into you when he got you up. As far as
I've observed-and haven't lived 10 be