Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-06-03
What on earth have you got here ?n

. Garlic with dignity. "Me and Billy
made it, and well let you through if
} But The statement of terms was cut
short. The horse at that moment espied
the flutlcring white sunbonnet and seiz.
} ing 50 favorable an opportunity to be
frightened, sprang suddenly to one side.
flung his unsuspecting rider TO the ground
and sped away up the road again. Tom
rolled over and sat up in bewildered
sort of way, got upon his feet slowly,
brushed the dust from his clothes, and
looked after his re!reating steed with q
long whistle.
We'll it isn't likely anything will stop
him now until he gets home. so might
rs well stay and pull this thing down.
What possessed you TWO Youngsters
and there Tom paused, laughed. and
grew more like his good natured self than
he had been for twenty.lour hours. The
defiant. indignant, disappointed expires.
'iCi VI tAibop itAAic was nlN'
sistiblc, Garlic protested stoutly when
the strong hand began to demolish her
work but Tom persuaded and explain
cd, and then the final promise OF ride
in the cart, when he rolled II back up the
lane, effected satisfactory capitulation.
The toll gale" disposed of, Toms
next movement was TO follow his horse,
and he speedily discovered that the wise
animal had not taken the trouble TO 90
home, but had stopped nearer by, at
place where he had frequently been al
lowed TO make himself quite at home.
He had been recognized at once; and
saddled, bridled, but riderless. awakened
suspicious OF evil. The trio of women
had gathered about him in the yard
Aunt Polly with hands dripping from the
suds. Aunt Becky leaning upon her
crutch, and Maggie pale and trembling,
when Tom arrived upon the scene.
Since he was prevented from making
journey TO far of lands, and leaving long
chapters of Misunderstanding. suspense
and adventures, he should according TO
all precedent. have broken limb in fall
ing from his horse, so that he could have
been carried into the house. and have
had gradual reconciliation through
slow, delicious convalescence- mixture
oil roses aud cream toast. But he had =
boyish propensity for falling right side
up. and there was nothing at all the mat.
ter except rent in his coat. Aunt Polly
noticed the torn garment before his bIief
explanation was ended. and in the kind
ness of her heart insisted that it should
come in Tor repairs. "Shc was washing,
to be sure. and Becky was no great hand
with any needle but knitting needles. but
Maggie could DO it rs slick as you please"
The owner assented with alacrity. 1T
did look rather badly to wear through
the yilage-if it wouldn't be too much
trouble 10 just put u stitch in it,"
He watched the color come back into
the face bent 50 steadily over that piece
Of darning; watched the white fingers
busy with their task, and remarked sig
miiicauty -
"What n talent you have for making
things right agat."
After other people have made them
crooked" Maggie said promptly,
II don't think those threads will show
that they Were ever separated"
Maggie vouchsaled no reply to that,
and he looked On in silence lew minutes
longer.
There the breach Is nearly healed"
"Quite, che said clipping her thread.
as il ?" he asked so suddenly that she
looked up, and then his eyes would have
an answer, and she couldn't keep her
heart out oil hers.
So that was The end of it-a long story
cut short in the most commonplace way.
Aunt Polly absolutely left the world at
large 10 take care of itself for several
successive wash days while she planned
Maggie's outfit Tom never went to
Arizona 1T al!, but kept his place in the
village store, and goes home to cozy
little nest at night. where Maggie meets |
him ut the door and receives a double |
entrance fee, because he says he shall
owe that to all toll gates his life through.
And Maggie thinks, with q lhrob oil
thankiulness, how well it is that tender.
er Hand than our own wiful ones guards
our destinies. Yes they are simple souls
and better satisfied with their humdrum |
happiness than with the most poetic |
misery hut, alas for their biographer |
and the ruined volume l-scribner'S for
HdU