Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-06-10

little ngure lying III ION oed gave her
a strange thrill.
She Observation-Disclosures was no one to see
her-and Miss Pophurst stopped quickly
and kissed the check on the pillow. But
the cheek was wet, there was something
blue around the neck, and Miss Judith'S
black eyes shot piercingly under the other
cheek.
Good land of our fathers where did
the child get that"
The next few weeks were pretty dull
times, the boys thought. The bullies
made several advances on the master, and
retrcated well scared to their place; Gal
lowscs' white hair attempted to come out
in crisp little yellow curls, and was
shipped back by Miss Judy $ scissors, and
that was all Look here, boys, said
Hal Phillips at last, they'll be calling US
spoonics and serve us right, if this thing
goes on much longer. | tell YOU we've
just got to hang together in some move,
and let the master have it when he can't
tell where ii comes from. Do you say
agreed" :"
Agreed" went up in chorus "Giye
us a programme, that's all.
"Well, where's that old donkey of
Deacon Baybcry's; what if he should be
found strayed into the masters desk some
morning with the masters cap on his
head, and one of those law books he's
always fooling with at ntcrmiSsion under
his nose. How would that do, just for a
feelcr, YOU know
\ shout rose for an answer, and Hal
went on. "Shakc hands, then! \ pull
all together, YOU know, and then nobody
Is to blame" and one by one the boys
marched up and gave Hal hand "Now
Gallowscs. you're the last - but the wide
trousers stood motionlcss, and Gallowscs
shook his close cropped head.
What, Your afraid. Pshaw, we Il
tell Miss Judy Mo did it.
NO, YOU needn't said Gallowscs.
"but can't help YOU
What, you little sneak" said Sam,
pouncing upon him and seizing him by
the collar. "You won't peach, will you
"No, l won't peach, Sam Hcbbcrton,
nor anything else that's mean, | hope.
Let 90 of my collar; you've no right to
it,"
"Wil you lend a hand them
Gallowses' head shook again. Not
on the donkey can't
Coward, coward. Gallowses is q
coward" rose up the shout, and Sam
frightened his grip with growl that meant
mischief, but a sudden thought struck
Hal.
Hold on" he said Somebody has
got to open the school-room door for US.
What Is the harm if Gallowses slips
through the vcntilators and down ON the
inside, and just draws the bolt OF that
back door: There IS no other boy small
enough and what's that to do with the
donkey or with US:
"Will you do it, asked Sam with
threatening pull! bat Gallowses stood
firm.
Il can't, tell YOU. 1t wouldn't be
good and brave, and can't
at wouldn't, ch rctortcd Sam furi-
ously between his teeth; and it was
a dangerous moment for Miss Judy's boy.
But the bell rang again, and Sam had
found out that it wasn't best to be late
in his seat. I'm settle YOU he NUT
tered, with q scowl that glowered more
and more fcrcely toward GallowSos' desk
for the rest of the afternoon. IN thrash
YOU within an inch OF your life -
Why shouldn't he: Wasn't he three
times as big as the coward GallowSes, and
hero of the school in the bargain:
Two weeks passed, and the curb-bit
of the Elm Tree School still held steady
and strong but outside winter had been
marching merrily on, till it swept sudden
" down one Friday night and locked up
everything, Deacon Baybeuy's mill pond
included, in prison walls Of ice. And
the next day, Saturday, with blue skies,
air like wine, and the ring of the skates
on that pond starting the deacon up to
the liylicst psalm tune he knew! From
Miss Pophurst's kitchen window pair
of eager brown eyes had watched every
boy of the school scurrying past, and the
Jingle of the skate-irons was like the
trumpet 10 the warehouses; ears; but
what is a war-horse without bride or
spurs-Gallowse had no skates. And
what fun was there in going to look on
Miss Judith grew little nervous at last,
watching the little figure with elbows on
the table and shorn head in its hand,
pouring over lesson for the next week.
why don't you follow the rest of the
boys, wherever they are: The kitchens
no place for Saturday
Miss Pophurst had turned the scale,
and once a.tir, the war-horse seemed to
have wings.
Halo. There's Gallowses Come on
Let's see what we can dc" was the cry
on the pond Gallowses felt his finger
tips tingle; the skate irons rang circles,
square and pigeon wings. Deacon Bay
berry was setting up another psalm tune
down in the mill; and oh-why couldn't
he 90 with the rest
At last a sudden curvet brought
small skater, glowing and breathless,
close to the bank where he stood.
Halo, Gallowses, why don't YOU
come on: Where are your skates
Il haven't any and then, could he;
should he: Yes, he must. Couldn't