Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-10-15

cost one dollar: II L only cOuiu ha'c
bought II for mother"
"Where's your money you earned
holding horses. I'd like to know" que
ried Fred.
"Gone TO pay for medicine and broth
for Baby May" answered Frank. and
then added In a lower voice, Fred. Pm
afraid Baby May is going to Heaven"
"Doin' TO Heaven' ?" echoed Harry 81
wis tould do too. dores eyerysin' booti-
ful dare; tristmas presents aud all
Lets pray u God to take Us, too-le.
US tell Him-we are so cold and hungry"
added Fred
And have do, nosing but an old.
Susty knife" chimed Harry.
Frank laughed at this speech. but the
listening mother sighed.
"Oh, my God, aid US In our extremity,
or my dsrlings will soon get iheir wish
Then she took from her bosom Thin
kid case, and opening 1t took from 1t
note which read:
my wife, sm sober now. but came
near killing you in my last drunken spree,
and | csuno! tell what l may do in my
next. cannot give up the terrible cup.
| cannot pray; may be doomed, but
you may pray ii you choose-perhaps-
God knows. And now-good-bye-go
to your father; be will be 10 you what |
am not--a protector"
baby May was only six months old
ihen," she mused. land have prayed all
these years since for Donald. dear Do
nald," and the Tears fell fast.
Down at ihe wharf vessel had just
dropped anchor. and furled her damp
sails. The passengers left the deck with
quick tread bu,iwilh sober faces. for the
wildly plunging waves swelling loudly
and darklY 10 the spray swept shore. and
the chilling, gussy wind possessed very
depressing influence. One OF the pas
sengers. d man of about forty. with
heavy beard and keen, gray eyes, grasped
his wol-worn sstchel. and started on his
way through the wei and cheerless
streets. He evidently knew his way. for
he ignored sll offers OF assistance, turned
neither 10 The right nor left. but kept
straight ahead ~ BTs,ol avenue. DE
then slsckenei bis pace somewhat. and
as he neared Conway Hall. he scanned
the numbers closely.
mo. 1855, 1856, 7S7, 78S-here Is tho
number but am not so sure Of my man.
He ran up one flight. and his eye met
the sign:
Dupont b Raymond. attorneys at
law"
Yes, he Is all right 80 far.
He touched the bell.
"Is Mr.. Dupont In ?"
He is; walk In please" invited the
office boy.
"where 10 hep abruptly asked our
caller.
"In his ssnc,um." answered the boy ;
what name. sir~
Tell him an old friend wishes 10 speak
TO him."
HE will not come for that, sir; there
are 80 many imposters. sir, that he will
never come out without your name. sir ."
ASK him II he likes flberts, BOY"
"That would be queer question. sir"
"Ask him-queer or not"
"Mr. Dupont" said the boy, entering
the pleasan, retreat OF the bachelor law
yer. "a queer man has just come In, and
it is he, sir. not /. that wants to know II
your honor likes 6lberts."
Filberts, ,hlherts," mused he /; "tiiberts.
and ligh, broke over his face. "bring
him in" and a. the boy turned 10 do his
bidding, he arose. and quickly following.
greeted the new conner on the threshold.
"Dohald, boy. can 1t bee"
Ralph, oh, Ralph" and the two en-
brsced with such fervor that they might
have been called David and Jonathan.
The great coat was laid aside. the
coffee and oysters for two were brought
in, aud as they ate and drank and talked.
they gave never thought 10 the little
Office boy outside. who-the lobby door
being LETT wide open-heard every word
that they spoke. A name arrests bis
tagging attention; he hears his master
say:
"And have you never heard from your
wife or concerning herP"
And the reply rame sadly:
"Never-O, my God-whst will all
thy goodness to me do II l cannot And
my poor wife and helpless children ~
Cheer up, Donald. we must hunt up
all the Roscoes in the city. but. still. she
may have used her maiden name
strange. but forget It; what was it~
"Delapiere-her father was French.
you know-if she has taken that name. I