Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-03-07

oil luck Both the Chums gone! Why,
won't be able 10 hold my head up II
New Orleans. How came 1t that JUS
those two fellows were knocked outP"
"Red tumbled out, and Black jumped
in after him." replied the officer. "Re'
must have been caught in an eddy ant
tangled in the trees roots-clothes tori
almost off-head caved in. Black mus
have burst blood vessel-his lac'
loo, Id like copper pan when be re chez
share .n, be just groaned and dropped.
The c,p,ain vas sorry, so sorry tha
he son, a wafer ,'>r brandy. But th'
captain was human-bL HHo''
ness-tho rain was falling, " 's ~
was across the boats bows he JN
Hurry up aud bury EN- then. "
ought TO have let the second boats crew
gone with that. and you have gone back TO
your soundings. They Oas the Chums.
TO be sure, but now they're only dead
roustabou,s. Below there! Pass out a
couple OF shovels 7"
Perhaps some ladies would 60 down
with the boat, captain-and preacher,
too, il there's one aboard, remarked the
mate, with 20 earnest but very mysterious
expression.
"Why, what in thunder does the fellow
meant" soliloquixed the captain, ,audibly.
"Women-and preacher-ior dead
roustabouts2 Whs. do you mean, Mr..
Bell
Reds womsp," briefly responded
the mate.
The passengers all star.ed-the cap.
tain brought his hands together with a
tremendous clap, and exclaimed:
Murder will out! But who'd have
thought was TO be the man to find out
the secret of the Csrmi Chumsl Guess
I'll be the biggest man on the New Or
leans levee, after all. Yes, certainly
of course some ladies'll go-and preach
er, too, if there's such man aboard.
Hold up, though-we'll all 60. Take
your soundiugs. quick. and well drop
the steamer just below the point. and tie
up. l wonder if there is preacher
aboard p
No one responded Tor moment; then
the Judge spoke.
Before went into the law | was the
regularly settled pastor of Presbyterian
church, said he. I'm decidedly rusty
now. but little time will enable me to
prepare myself properly. Excuse me.
ladies and gentlemen"
The sounding-boat pulled away, and
the Judge retired to his stateroom. The
ladies. with very pale faces, gathered in
a group and whispered earnestly with
each other; then ensued visits 10 each
others staterooms and the final gathering
oil the ladies with two or three bundles.
The soupdings were taken, and rs the
steamer dropped down stream. men were
seen cutting path down the rather steep
slay bank. The captain put his hands to
his mouth and shouted:
"Dig only one grave-make it wide
enough for two"
And all the passengers nodded assent
and satisfaction.
Time had been short since the news
reached the steamer. but the Benefits
carpenter, who was himself married
man. had made plain coffin by The time
tho boa, tied up. and another by the time
the grave was dug. The first one was
put upon long hapdbarrow. over which
the captain had previously spread table
cloth, and, deposited beside the body OF
Red. Half an hour later, the men placed
Black in the other coffin, removed both
to the side OF the grave, and signaled the
boat.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, said the
captain.
The Judge appeared. with very sol
emn lace. his coat bu,toned tight to his
thioat, and the party started. Colonel
May OF Missouri, who read Voltsire and
didn't believe in anything, maliciously
took the judges arm, and remarked:
You didn't finish your story, Judge"
The Judge frowned reproviugly.
But. persisted the Colonel, II don't
want curiosity to divert my mind from
the solemn services about to take place
Do tell me ifthey ever caught the rascals.h
They never did," replied The Judge.
"The sheriff hunted and advertised, but
he could never hear word of either oi
them. But Id know either one of them
at sight. Sh-h-! Here we are at the
grave"
The passengers, officers. and crew
gathered about the grave. The Judge
removed his hat, and. as the captain un.
covered the faces OF the dead, com
menced:
81 am the resurrection and the life
Why, there's the horse.lhief now, Colonel
beg your pardon. ladies and gentlemen
He that believeth in"
Just then the Judges eye fell upon the
dead woman's face. and be screamed:
"And there's the sheriff'S assailant !"
OUR PARl0R B0ARDER.