Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-12-11

keeping, ,oi the dirty rufiled piliow-cases.
of the painted plaster paris parrot on the
clock-shelf, of the number OF the Colo
nel's empty whiskeY bottles and old
boots that strewed the ground opposite
the front entrance, and OF the calmness
with which Mrs. Antoine regarded the
confusion of her kitchen and the ragged
condition Of her sons clothing, while she
worked endless bands of very dirty but
very fine embroidery, yet she loved the
little woman with all her heart, and had
done so ever since tho night that she
locked the drunken Colonel in one OF the
staterooms, and battled death with her
until at dawn fifth little Antoine lay in
his mothers arms.
Don't talk to me-" she would say to
her husband, zone has only to look at
those boys to know there is pluck in
their mother"
Aud If Gus Antoine, the eldest, was a
sample OF what the rest would be, her
words had their weight. Gus was fifteen.
clerk in a book store at Conflict, and II
was principally from his earnings that
the family were supported. They saw
him walking bravey TO town early every
morning, carrying his dinner in little
tin pail, his jacket, whose buttons were
all old bachelors, in that no one Of them
had a mate. fastened tightly to tho
throat, where il was met by turned
paper collar and flsshy magenta neck
tie. Squire May liked the boy.
Through their three years Of neighbor
hood the friendship between the two
grew and strengthened. ill at the time
at which our story finds them the Squire
remarked to his wife that he didn't be
lieve be could think more OF Gus Antoine
if he were his own son, and be intended
soon 10 commence reading law with him
There was one other who looked forward
10 the boys visits with pleasure. the
Squire's only child, little Hope. She had
gone straw berrying end hszel-nutting
with him be fore be had won her tather's
favor. All the Antoine boys had strong
ly marked French features, with startled
black eyes and hair 10 match, forming a
strong contrast to Hopes blond beauty.
While Gus was away with her father,
Hope went every day 10 recite French
lessons TO Mrs Antoine, and TO learn TO
make the marvellous embroidery, whose
great eyelets were filed in with cobweb
like wheels in lace stitches OF pointe d'A!-
encou. SO The summer passed, but with
The lall came the elections. Squire May
returned from his briei vacation to learn
with surprise that the "ireo State party
had nominated him as their candidate
for the district judgeSbip, and that his
opponent on the Democratic ticket wss
Colonel Antoine. The election was
closely contested, but ended in the usual
way, Colonel Antoine's friends coming
over from Missouri, voting for him, and
rendering the Democrats triumphant -
Squire May was heard to protest loudly
against the illegality Of this proceeding,
and as he drove toward home it was OBJ
served that his usual calm temper was
much disturbed.
The day following election was an
eyentlul one to Mrs. Antoine and Hope
as they sat over their embroidery on q
bench under the broad-leayed catalpas in
front OF the Antoine mansion. \ gro
tesque shadow was thrown upon tue
path, and Hope grasped Mrs. Antoine's
arm in alarm, wondering what strange
animal would follow. II was only ped
dler, and both she and Mrs. Antoine
were soon deep in the contents OF the
pack, which consisted OF several cases o.
cheap jewelry, few pieces OF flImsy
dress goods, and some coarse Hamburg
embroideries. Mrs. Antoine looked over
these interestedly, bat with smile on
her lips. Il can embroider better than
that myself, and so can this little girl"
Let me SEQ what you do" said the
peddler, and Hope displayed long strip
of the mingled embroidery and lace work,
the pattern in each eyelet being one OF
Gus Antoine's desigu-an anchor-il
meant hope, be said.
~ give you fifty centsFfor dat" said
the stranger.
ooh? will you?" exclaimed Hope, de-
lighted, while Mrs. Antoine rose, hasten
ed into the house. aud returned with the
entire collection, which she had worked
since she lett the convent. The peddleI
was an evil looking man, and Hope was
afraid TO be left alone with him, but Col
Antoine saunteled in at the gate as bis
wife entered the house. For q wonder
he was sober, and Hope felt her cour
age revive. He regarded the pedder
grufily, and began to scold Mrs. Antoine
when she returned, though his i'll humor
vanished when be saw that she Was sell
ing, not buying. The, stranger selected
number of bands, and paid for them
from a chamois- skin purse filed with
gold pieces, which he took from his
bosom. The Colonel's eye glittered as il
fell upon it, and his manner changed per.