Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-08-12

OF the mothers OF the neighhorhood
where children made the shady spot be
meath playground.
Then 4 green common where cattle
grazed, and then "Old Mikes"
They had passed the houses-more than
one angry face prottuding from the win.
dows as tho market money went by TO the
tavcrn-and had come TO the crumbling
wall, when. standing 10y its shadow, Will
Tilden saw II lady Wrapped in great
scarlet shawl, with white hood upon her
head. who beckoned him. wilt gave a
start ol surprise an inquiring look-and
receiving another nod, walked out of the
ranks, and took of his hat TO Miss Ullman
George Ullman's only daughter. a fair
girl. rather short and stout. with the Ger
man type of face, pale god hair. with II
soft, loose ripple in it. and deep. set eyes,
of The very darkest blue. Will hal seen
her often enough before. but The beauty OF
her eyes struck him anew as he looked in
to them straisht into them frankly and
openly. rs he always lookcdat every one.
You called me. Miss UlmanF"
Yes. called you, William Tilden,
said the young lady. "An odd thing to do
you think. Bot do what | think right,
whether il IL odd or not. wanted you 10
stop
What Tor. Miss Ullman;'
''For your own good" said the girl,
flushing little. but with her eyes -
steady AS his own. You 90 10 Old Mikes
too often could not tell you how angry
it makes me. The others must follow their
impulses, suppose. But do yours really
lead you to the tavern with such associ
ates ?"
Wills face crimsOned.
I'm afraid YOU have brought some of
the Old World ideas over the ocean with
YOU. Miss Ullman. he said. I'VE are free
and equal here. The poorest hand in the
factory is rs much gentleman rs its
owner"
''If he be what he should be, said Miss
Ulman. mot else. \ tavern hunter, who
debases himself morc and more every
dag, cannol be 4 gentleman or worthy
man"
You mean" began viii iuriousy.
al mean that it is u shame for you to
throw away what might he q bright ca
reor, said Miss Ullman. Father often
speaks of it. You have talent for design
he says, and might rise fast But those
sink instead Of rising, whose hands lrcm'
bic and whose eyes are very red Monday
morning. How can you. William Tilden,
how can YOU do so ? 1t would be no use
speaking to those others. but hope it is
to you. Turn back-go home-do not
drink 10 night, and 90 to church to NOR
morrow, and think YOU will be happier
al the week
Tilden's mind WAS that. were this not =
girl who spoke to him, he must have used
language both angry and insulting. Yet,
it made it all The worse that was a woman
and that. since the time she, little cLid,
WAS wont 10 come tripping into the fac.
tory, to look at the work and prattle to the
men, and gather bits ot worsted Tor her
dolls caps and hoods, he had been halt in
love with her. that had she been poor
girl. or he rich man. she would have
known how he admired her long before.
She to speak to him as she might to
some ignorant boor To give him conde-
scendiug advice because her father owned
the lactoly and he only worked there.
lie bit his lips--no redder now than
all his flushed face. lle crushed back his
angry words.
I'm afraid you forget that you are in
America, Miss Ullman," he said. Your
father seems to forget it also. We are
capable of managing our own ailairs-
we white men. believe. | know that |
am"
"And you will go to the tavern?" said
Miss Ullman.
"Ir it peases me, said VIII. Amer
ican workmeu are not bought. body and
soul. at SO much week :"
Miss Ullmau wrapped her shawl about
her, and shrank quite close against the
wall. a little frightened.
Don't be alarmed, Miss Ullman," said
Will. "An American working man is not
necessarily brute, and I'm not drunk
enough, as yet, despite your opinion Of
me, to be afraid Of"
And without another word, he turned
upon his heel and followed his comrades
diagonally over the common to "Old
Mikes Rancho" Miss Ulman saw him
enter.
1t was rs cheerful as ever within the
tavern and the glasses clinked and money
lin gled (there was 4 little silver in circu.
lation then) and the man whose "seyen
at home" were to be kept for week on
the wages so dwinded by lost days and
headachy mornings, was spending the
sum as rapidly as possible.
Will took his place before the bar, and
did his best 10 forget the scene in which
he had just acted part. but that was
impossible.
"She would never have spoken so to a
gentleman who drank his wine at her