Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-03

saw sight which chained her TO The spot,
forgetful of every thing but what was be-
fore her.
The barn was in flames
The lightning had struck'it and SGT fire
to its contents. Tons upon tons of hay
we're burning fiercely. Their dry masses
kndled into huge red mountain of roar
ing, leapiug flames. shone luridly upon
the black sky, and glared over the country
for miles around.
In the weird, fitful beauty of the scene
Alice was for the time totally unmindful
that it was OF any direct. personal inter
est 10 her but when it suddenly occurred
TO her what il was, she flew TO her fathers
room, hall wild with excitement and de-
light.
Mr.. Deans room was on the opposite
eide OF the house, and he had seen no
signs OF the FIRE. Being a sound sleeper,
the thunder had only partially disturbed
him, 50 that be was no more than half
awake when Alice came bouncing 10 his
bedside, exclaimlng:-
"Oh. papa, papa the barn is burning;
but didn't do it, You see was right,
though; Tor Providence has taken the
aff,ir into his own hands, and saved me
the trouble.n
"Alice, are you crazy?' said Mr.. Dean,
rs by the dim light OF the night lamp he
saw her whring about the room. per-
forming rapturous pas SeHl, and look
ing, 10 her long white gown. like very
risky goat. She had no little trouble in
convincing her father that she was in her
right mind, and inducing him 10 follow
her. as she hurried back TO her post by
the window. 10 watch the remainder OF
the brilliant spectacle.
There was no more eleep that night for
the family in the stone house; and when
morning broke. cloudless and beautiful
alter the storm, there l,y the untarnished
landscape spread out before them 10 ali
its old. familiar beauty. and Marshalrs
barn heap of ruins at their feet.
Fol one short week Mr.. Dean and his
daughter rel )iced over this unlooked-ior
deliverance. They blessed the storm.
aud congratulated themselves morning,
noon and night, as they gszed upon the
uubroken prospect, which had never
seemed half so charming before.
Tnen there began 10 be q stir among
the few charred and blackened timbers
which the fire bad spared-iresh ones
were deposited beside them. load alter
load OF building materials arrived, and,
to their utter dismay, they learned that
the barn was 10 be rebuilt. Mr.. Dean re-
mons:ra,ed to'no purpose, and friendly
ncighbors vainly tried their persuasions
on the obstinate Old man. Young Mar
shall. who was deeply mortified at
bis fathers course, exerted all the elo-
quencc which he possessed to prevent the
carry ias out Of this malicious design; but
the only reply which be received was.
"See here, my boy, you come and 90 as
you choose, aud interfere with none Of
your plans. You act your pleasure, and
shall act mine"
So the work went on with all possible
speed, and raising day was at hand. A
crowd had gathered, as was usual on such
occasions in the country. Tae huge frame
was being slowly hoisted TO its place,
with loud shouts and cheers and heave
a-hoys. when some part OF the structure
suddenly gave way, and timber alter tim
Der came tunbling TO the ground. Two
or three men received ugly knocks and
hard bruises, but all escaped without Sc
rious injury with one exception. John
Marshall lay upon the ground under a
heavy timber. with broken arm. and a
stream of bod f)wing from q wound in
his head, cut by sharp stone. upon
which he had struck 10 falling.
IIc was taken up iusensible. and laid
upon the grass; water was dashed in his
tace to revive him. and his head was
bound up in handkerchieis to stop the
blood. A doctor, who was quickly
brought to the spot, sewed up the wound
and bandaged the disabled arm.
What is to be done with him? ?" he
asked, with grave face, as he concluded
the operation. ITO move HIM any dis
tance in his present condition would sure
ly prove fatal"
Bring him into my house, and we
will do the best we can for him." said
Mr.. Dean, who had come out on hearing
of the accident.
So the unconscious man was carried In
and placed upon bed; and there be lay
for many long day, PROSTATE and help
less in the house OF him whom he had
hated aud injured. His son had been
sent tor, but the messenger was long in
finding him. When he arrived the crowd
had dispersed. and Mr.. Dean was stand
ing by the bedside of his father, while
Alice was bathing the invalid's head. and
striving to keep it cool with applications
oil ice.
"Mr. Dean" said the young man, after
gazing silently for some minutes. al his
father, who was still in state Of stupor,