Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-01-11

Oh, on, she went, so fast the boys did
not wonder plump Bridget could not
overtake heron and on. until she
TUNED the corner, and nodded Tor them
to follow; then on, still on. until another
corner was reached, and she darted
down another street. aud into an opea
doorway, near little store.
Both boys followed the girl into
room at the back of the house, on the
lower floor. 1t was 4 large tenement
house, Of the neglected sort; but tho
room where the gsl entered was neat
and tidy.
In a chair, by . low window, sat q
pale woman with her hands lying help
less in her lap. The girl ran up to her,
and gave her kiss. asking two or three
questions in breaih--"Was gone long,
dearic2 Did you need me2 Has any
body been here?n
The lady smiled little and said,
You have forgotten to intro duce your
friends
IL dou't know how" said the girl with
mischievous glance at the boys. They
are gentlemen whose mother has q pot
OF pansies for me and that is all know.
Won't you talk 10 them while | arrange
my model OF the dearest, loveliest llow-
ers in the world2"
Fred laughed. and so did the girls
mother.
"My name is Fred Bond; and this is
my brother Parker. This young lady
used TO gather the bits OF flowers my
mother threw out; aud We have been
Try ing 10 find her and give her some
fresh ones
You are very kind, very kind"
That's right d earle" called the girl
from her seat at little table, where SIZE
was working at her design. Say all the
pretty things you can think Of. to pay
tor the leaves and things | have found in
their back yard
Her NC TIER went on. My poor hands
have been useless since Harry died and
this brave little woman makes and sells
wsx flower: and leaves Tor us. She has
4 wonderful gift and her flowers sell
well; only The man in the store pays her
too little Tor them.
Was Harry your bo,?" asked Fred.
"Yes. dear, my good. manly boy. lie
worked hard for us. and denied himself
proper food; growing boys need great
deal, you know; and Harry could not
yet il. Ab! when the lever came it
conquered him"
Don't mind said the girl. looking |
up at the boys through her tears. "She
seldom sees boys now and it p.ade her |
think of him. We don't know how to
live without him; but we must; and
God will help US. Somehow. mother
feels that. and knows she is my pride
and comfort"
IL wish. said Parker. you would
let Us bring our mother to see you.
know you viii like hel aud she spends
lots of money on flowers"
III she wishes to come. sler-Lucia
dear, some one Knocked said the girls
mother.
Lucia ran to open the door :; and there
stood Mr.. Bond.
"How did you End US. fAther'' asked
Fred.
why. met Mr. Proctor just now
and he was curious to know where my
boys were going to. He had been
down here. looking after some repairs
on one of his houses. and he saw you
enter this door. Now, boys, do you
talk with this young lady few moments
while ask her mother something about
the picture on the opposite wall. II
| mistake not, / have its mate At homo"
While Lucia instructed the boys. in a
general way, about wire stems, and
''rolling wax" Mr.. Bond learned Tor the
[rst time, the fate of his old classmate'
doc. Dinsmore." and the father OF
Lucia.
II was some time before all the story |
was told; aud. long before it ended
Lucia was back in her old place by her
mothers side, and the boys were leaning |
against their father listening intently.
Mr.. Bond soon told his portion OF ii;
and. brief IS it was, even the children
saw how lenderly be had loved his
friend, and how precious the memory oil
the "old Harvard days" was.
al never saw him." said Mr. Bond,
"ailer your little Harry was born. lie
wrote me about his charming wife and
boy. and said he was going West to
make fortune for them. l bade him
God speed and never heard word
after that"
He wrote you several times" said
the widow. II think he never gave up
the pleasant hope and daily exps ctalion
of letter. came here at his request.
sft.r we had lost all there; and new
grief came to US at once. My brother,
the only relative ! had. died in Roxbury,
The week after my arrival. Then Harry
va, taken; and We were left as you find
US today,
WAS there nothing left OF his proper
tv-noihing TO keep the wife OF my old