Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-08-05

But Herman Claik's insolence passet
its usual limits, when Gardiner gave hin
the invitation To read 10 the miners. lii
was provokinsly sarcastic upon the sub
ject of the picnic itself. and encouraged
by the quiet mildness of his adversary
enlarged upon patriotic customs with al
insolence that even difference of nation
ality would not excuse, finally cappins
the climax of all lormer efforts. by daring
Gardiner Forsythe to prove himself ;
match for English bone and muscle in !
personal encounter. Aud The young mar
had turned upon his heel and left th'
office. white to the lips. No one foloweC
him, no one saw him Ms he strobe intC
the road. down n steep declivity and into
clump of woods to fight a much harder
battle than any Herman Clark coulC
challenge.
Must bear ?" he thought. stridine
up and down. "must keep my fists of
this burly ruflian because | am n Christian,
and may not fight him without fighting
also all principle of right in my own
heart9 Can any approving conscience,
can any consciousness Of moral courage
compensate me for the contempt l am
earning amongst my own equals here
They think | am afraid. The very
miners. the men work day and night to
benefit, doubt my courage. when am
brought face TO face with this giant. And
/ he himself believes | fear him, Fear
him! Do they guess It would be a posi-.
tive relief to me TO have him pound me
with his grea, fists. II | could do IL with
ont my own conscience disappearing the
encounter. And. bilterest Of all. Fannie
thinks | am afraid see il in her eyes,
though she would not say one word 10
wound me-
So up and down, like Gagged lion, the
man paced little open space Till he had
stilled the tempes. in his heart. and was
his wonted quiet self once more. But
the marks of the fierce heart struggle
were upon his pale face. and the tsunts
were shown in expression. ii not in
words. as he resumed his place in the
office. But bitterest OF all. could he have
heard il. were the words recorded ut the
opening of my story, the words Fred
Germaine spoke to his sister. rs he finish
ed narrating what he termed Gardner 5
last row with Herman Clark"
And AS he spoke Fannie wondered ii
his voice had wrested away her love from
Gardiner Forsythe. Only that afternoon.
walking from n poor home, where her
lover had left comfort for n man injured
severely in the mines. with the blessings
of the young vile and aged mother ring
ing i'm her ears, Fannie had thanked God
ferycntly for the love of this noble man.
She had lot her memory lead her oSer
many familiar scenes, where he had shown
his true Christian charity. his generous.
kindly impulses. and she had thought to
90 through lie hand in hand with such
man, was almost to win heaven this side
of the grave. And now. she walked sad
ly TO her own room with Fred's con-
temptuous words 10 consider. with the
bitter thought for company that even this
boy dared To taunt her lover with
cowardice.
"Why does he bear ite' she thought.
"Can ii be that Christianity holds mans
heart above the world, sneors 50 lar rs
this. Is it indeed true. as he says. that
principle ties his hands SO firmly, he can
not raise them against brother man.
cannot understand il | trust | AIN a
Christian, but" and her little foot EN-.
phasized the words. IL am sure should
knock Herman Clark down il be dared
be insolent TO mem And with her black
eyes flashing. her little fist tightly
clenched, and her rich blood crimsoning
her cheeks. she looked able to do it.
To Fannie the stimulus for exertion
was gone from the picnic scheme, yet
mechanically she worked with the others.
II had been so pleasant to make pies and
cakes. cut sandwiches and boil eggs for
Gardeners picnic. but when Gardiner had
brought himself into contempt TOR this
very scheme, the pic making and sand
wich cutting was heavy work. Still.
there was the true germ OF womanly
chvalry in Fannie's heart, that she would
seem at least 10 cling closer 10 her be.
trothed. il the hands OF others were
against him. So she baked and boiled.
and ruined calico dresses and aprons over
the hot range. on the dry. hot July days,
till the morning OF the Fourth found
hampers all packed, started for the grove
that was to be the picnic ground, band
in full blast, and the miners, in holiday
trim. conCregated in force.
Gardiner Forsythe, driving up 10 Mr..
Germaine's porch, found a very pretty
Fannie, in the snowiest OF muslins and
red and blue ribbons. awaiting him.
1--WE ladies are wearing the national
colors to honor the day." she said. smil-
ing, "but 1 think the combination Of
colors Tor flag is rather hideous in sash
and neck ribbons. However, lis but
once year ones feelings are SO tried. SO
I'll try to bear it. Have you been to the
grove?"
Yes, there is large gathering there,
- II....nr Clnrk hna faEan tho