Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-09


Mrs. Brandt had always an encourag-
ing word for the hunter.
"Grease- woods bad for hunting. Joel
says it don't pay to look Tor quail in the
bush when he does fetch 'em down"
Like ,nough. dunno. ma'am. Reck-
on Pve had d good many shots at the lit
tie crhIcrs. but they alters turn their
heads so kind - innocent like. A man
as has been blown up oncet hissel Amt
much at sepsrstin' families"
But s'pose it amt the shooting that's
healthy. mebbe.'
And 50 the hunting ended without
blood shed. Whether he doctors were
right or whether it was the mingled resin
aud honey of the sage and chspparal no
one cared to ask. Certain it is that the
'pestering cough yielded little, and the
bent form grew q trile more erect.
II think likely it is the lookin' up,
ma'am Mountains seem to siraigh,en
a fellow some way
Perhaps the man was right. it was the
looking up.
He followed Joel from the table one
morning. stopping outside. his face full
of patient eagerness.
I'm getting right smart @ strength,
neighbor. III there's odd jobs you could
gi' me; I'd be slow. mebbe, but seems
like most anything I'D be bettet'n settin'
round"
Joel scratched his head reAectively.
The big-brawuy-handed fellow felt no
disposition to laugh at his weaker brother.
Fox and was ssyin' yesterday we'd
like to put another man on the ditch I'LL
be easy work for week, till we strike a
rock again Then there is the grease
wood. It's always on hand. You might
take i, slow, grubbin when you was able
| guess wen lind you jobs enough.
man
The scared face frightened.
Thank ye, neighbor. FL you'll be as
kind. there's another little matter. III
have a trihe over when I've paid your
woman for her trouble. was thinkin'
like enough you'd let me run up shaniy
on your place here. Loisy wouldn't mind
about style-jus, root to bring em to-.
It's tor her and the boy. you know. y
watching Joers iace eagerly.
Yes. yes. Brico, well make it all
right. Just take things kind o easy. III
be goin in with wood next week, and I'll
fetch you out load OF lumber. Wen
make day OF it after while, and put up
your house in a jifY.'
And so Brice went TO work on the
ditch. gently at first, spared from the
heaviest work by strong arms and rough
kindliness. And so, ere long. another
rude dwelling went up on the mesa.
the smoke from the fireside curling slowly
toward the pine-plumed mountain-tops.
The building iund, scanty enough at
best, was Unexpectedly swelled By sud
pen and obstinate attack OF forgetfulness
which seized good Mrs. Brandt.
mo, Brice, you haven't made me
spark of trouble. not q spark. | IN sure
you've paid your way twice over bringing
in wood and grinding coffee, and the
like. Many a msn'd ask wages for the
halt you've done. and so I'm gettin of easy
to call it square" And the good woman
stood her ground unfinchingly.
you've been powerful good to me.
ma'am Wei. be watching our chance
to make it up TO you-Loisy and me. III
be sending for Loisy directly now
Yes, yes, man. and there'll be the bits
O. furniture and things to get. Spread
your money thin, and Mrs. Fox and I'll
come in and put you TO rights when
you re lookin' for her.
He brought the money 10 Joel at last,
a motley collection of silver pieces.
"Et you'll be so kind as to send 1t to
her, neighbor-M Loisy Brlce, Platts'
vile, Indianny-rve writ the letter tell
ing her how to come There's enough
for the ticket and lriae to spare. The
boy 5 a master hand at scufiin' out shoe;
sn' things. You'll not make any mistake
sendin' it, will you?"
mo, no. Brice, i'll go straight as
rocket. Let me see. now. The lettei
will be week, then lowing em week
to get started"
"Loisy won't be a week startiu', neigh
bor'
Never you mind, man. Lowing EN-
a week to get off. that's two weeks; ther
them emigrant trains is slow. say thir
teen dsys on the road-that's about an
other fortnight--four weeks this is tht
: fifth. ain't il? Twenty-eight and hve''
} thirty-,hree that'll be about the third o
next month, say. Now mind what tel
you, Brice-don't look for 'em minute
before the third-not q minute"
Pears like long spell to wait, neigh
; bor"
81 know it, man but it'll seem thun
dering sigh, longer after you begin t
look for EN-"
al reckon you're right. Say lou
weeks from to-day, then. Like enough
you'll be goin' in"
Yes, we'll hitch up and meet 'em q
the lrain-you and IRE. The woman viii