Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-03-16

II and iare rs | dld thCu. fatheT i
always ready to find fault-he generally
says when he gets home. Il don't think
you've hurt yourself working, To day,
Philipr And sometimes he asks me it
my back doesn't ache, I've chopped so
much or hoed so much; and, no matter
ii work rs hard as can from sunrise
till suuduwu, never hear anything more
cucourasiug-neyer get one word of
praise. iecl sorry to clear out, on my
mothers account. | love her, and |
believe she loves me; but it father loves
me he never shows it-never speaks q
tender loving word to me. My mind is
made up. Clint. l am going TO run
away; and | want to get off tonight,
Never mind about your cohesive got
shirts aud handkerchieis and stockings
enough put up, and III divide with You
til We can cam molc. Last week |
thought it over. and | thought that it
would gricve mother 50 | pretty much
decided To give it up but got so pro
vokei the dav that father went 10 Hart.
!ort determined that would so any
way. You see. here I've lived ever
since was born. within eighteen miles
Of Hartford. but never was there, nor in
any other city. asked father if might
20 with him. last June. when he was
going. aAd he said that couldn't go very
well then, but should 90 with him the
int time that he went alter haying
Well. when be spoke Of going, last week,
| asked him ii he was going to take me
/ along, and he answered, pretty crabbedly,
No. sir; pretty time for you 10 think OF
going. when the hired man is gone !
told him that | would get YOU to come
and 10 the chores, and that you would be
as faithful in doing them As ! would be
Ju, he wouldn't hear u word about it. !
didnt feel very light. hearted alter he was
gone, bui tried TO brave it out the best
that | could; and worked hard all day
That Afternoon was dark. cloudy alter
noon. and got up the cows and miIked
them. little earlier than supposed that
did; but don't think The sun was five
minute, high when got the chores done.
took the newspaper and sat down in the
door. so - 20 be on hand 20 take care OF
the horse when father came and | hadn't
read a quarter OF column when he
drove w. We'll Clint as true as ike
and breathe, after his promising me that
should 20 to Hartford with him the first
time that he went after haying and then
breaking his word and leaving me TO feel
disappJia'ed aud to work hard all day.
The first thing tha;he said to me when he
drove up was: What are you sitting
tlere reading for2 Why aren't you
doing your chores?' 1t CALLED me. l tell
YOU. bu. replied as calmly as | could
that the chores were all done; and he
said: 'Oh. ho. that is Up You DO the
chores the middle OF the afternoon. when
am gone, and then sit down aud read,
do YOU? Il was 30 contounded cutting.
if he had stuck a knife into me he would
not have hurt me any worse. vowed
then that would see Hartford on my
birthday. and shall be much mistaken
If am not there tomorrow morning;
and il my father sees me again for one
year, he'll, see more'n think he
will. will be here at the barn at just
midnight. My bundle OF clothes is here
now in The oat bin. Don't tail TO be on
time. Clint. We must get to Hartford by
sunrise | want to get q little glimpse OF
the city before the steamboat goes out.
don't know what the fare is 10 New
York. doubt Ii We have money enough
/ to take us there. Ii we haven't, we can
stop at some Of the landing places on the
way"
What variety Of feelings Peter Ray.
mond had in the fifteen minutes he stood
behind that barn door and listened. Al
first he was so utterly surprised he could
hardly believe his own ears but as he
took Il all in-as he comprehended what
his SON contemplated doing, he was in
high dudgeon; he unconsciously closed
his teeth very firmly and clinched his
right fist tightly. He could hardly refrain
from pouneing upon his son then and
there, and giving him a sound drubbing,
but he decided that it would be wise to
hear the boys talk out and learn all their
plans, and then confront them. But as
Philip talked on. Raymond's teeth were
less firmly closed. and when Philip said
in halt sad tone, al doubt If my father
loves me at all" dozen different feel
ings sirove for the mastery.
Don't love him?n he repeated TO him.
self, 1.-The ungrateful rascal! Haven't |
been scr bling along savingly as posi-
ble. and privately putting little sums into
the bank, so that could send him away
in year or two, and give him better
chance for an education than ever had ?
Haven't l often said to my friends that he
was one of the most faithful, trusty boys
in the world d? and that could leave home
any time. day or night, and never worry
about things as long as he was there to
take care? fhe does doubt my love, up
to this time have loved him and have
been proud Of him. haven't been very