Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-30

Then she fitted on the collar, and the
bachelor was ecststic. AS she handed
him his change, she remarked:
You're the gentleman that plays such
sweet. drearY tunes on the horn, aren't
you9'
"Yes, play a little. But its dread
iul lonely playing all by myself"
"Isu't there any one with you ?" she
asked.
No, Pm cursed-I'm a bachelor y
"Deary me! ihat is bad; I'd ask ycu
over here to play, sir
"Ow he interrupted.
but | am afraid the doctor next door
would come in and ask if anybody was
hurt" she continued.
"Ol" he said again, in quite differ
ent tone. and left. Five minutes after
he was moaning out The Last Link Is
Broken" ;" as il that link had in its sound
ness held heaven and earth together.
The doctor needed lot OF snuff; the
baker was clearly smoking himself into
the grave with his Maria; and the bach
elor used so many paper collars that the
little widow ordered as many boxes oi
this as she did of all the other boxes pu
together. Bat at last, one night, came
the maid servant from next door, pound
ing up the widow Thorn, telling her TO
come in. for the doctor was iii and didn't
know anybody. Hastily throwing on
her dress. in she went, and saw him y-
iug there in state OF collapse. with his
wig over one eye.
Ginger and cayenne pepper and
brandy" ordered the little widow. while
she held his head. Then, forcing the
6ery dose down his throat, she held him
tight, while he spluttered and gasPed for
breath"
Whatever is the matter with him ~
asked the frightened servant.
"Cucumbers remarked the widow
for she had seen the doctor march home
that afternoon with two fne specimens
Of that provsrbially cool vegetable in
bis hand. Then, the doctor becoming
better, she went home as cheerful as ever,
and slept the dreamIess sleep of the in
nocept and the non dyspeplic.
Early next morning the baker called.
81 hear that DR.. Ash was sick last
night, and that you went in ?" said he,
almost as though he had a right TO ask.
Yes" she answered The girl came
for me, and | did the little | could.
Poor old chap It's a pity be never mar
ried. He might have had wife and
family around him, instead of an ig-
uorant servant girl who calls up the
neighborhood on Iriaing causes"
Widow that's what always say. A
lone man is the DEVILS delight-if you'n
excuse profanity. Everything conspires
10 make his life unbearsble. What allied
The doctor'"
"Oh. he'd eaten too freely of cucum-
bers."
Widow Thorn, you know I'm as
much alone as be is"
"Why-bless me, sir.-what are you
driving att" asked she.
Nothing" he said, with melancholy
smile, and left the shop.
Ten minutes later she saw him so
home with five overgrown cucumbers in
his hands-she knew how many. for she
pulled box in the window aside to
count them. Sac smooihed her apron
down and shook her head. She expected
as much-sud more. Just at that mo-
ment in came the bachelor from over the
way.
lis uybody sick nex. door, ma'am f'
be asked.
"Yes, sir, DR.. Ash was taken ill last
night. Why'
II was playing. We met, twas in a
crowd late, feeling miserable, and l saw
his servant come here. and you 60 In
with her. What allied him p
Now sir. cant tell you, I'm afraid
Pve been the innocent cause OF future
agony TO the baker al the corner by tell
ing him; so if you'll excuse me. we'll
say the doctor Was imprudent.'
'Tm afraid Pm that myself, ma'am,
he said, low-spiritedly; land lately I've
got to feeling pain here.' And ne
pointed in the region OF his heart-that
Is. his left side, where nobody's heart is,
you know.
"Oi you play too vigorous, sir" she
said, 81 once knew a gentleman who
played the fife lovely; but he died sud-
denly, sir, aud the doctor who opened
him told me he was as clear as whistle.
Everything had gone.'
..But dare say he was Il married
man ?"
"Yes. indeed A blessed wife and
twins
"Ah! that's the reason. I'll never die
that way, ma'am-for there's no one to
mourn for me. I'll keep on blowing till,
after a while you'll hear the echoes roll
ing in me. and I'll play the same tune
twice at once. and one Il bar behind the
other"