Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-07-01

| waiting ana Only three lot ltS WorK, anC
Helen grew strong again with that breatl
of "the old. old story" and the tears tina
had gathered in her eyes did not fall.
Did those who escaped from the burn
ing unshaded sky, and the dry, hot bricks
to the pleasant shadow of old trees, the
waving of green grass, and the soft rip.
pie of cool water, ever really know how
hot it was in town that summer; Mrs
Grimp's tenants could have told The
little yard, visible from the back windows
grew dry and baked, the dingy linen or
the line ceased fluttering and hung limT
and breathless. while on the street in
front the vegetables wilted at the doors Of
the small groceries, the small dogs lolled
about with tongues hanging from then
mouths, and the small boys forgot to tor
ment them, and sought rcpose on the
shady side of sugar hogsheads and mo-
laSScs barrels.
4 still, bright day had burned itself
through, and the long, soft twilight came.
At the little ccntre-table Nan bent busily
over her work. trying to make the evening
atone for the days want of energy. Rue
drew little Margie to the most remote
front window, where a faint breath of air
stole in and prepared plan Of operations
at once instructive and entertaining.
''Sce here" exhibiting a considerable
length of string attached to Helen shawl
pin, which he had surreptitiously borrowed
and bent into a hook. 81 am goin' fish
in out here"
"Whatl YOU catch:" said Margie. adj
miringly.
"Oh, pieces of paper, an orange peel,
an things on the sidewalk-make b lievc
they're whales an halibut an such. It's
lots of fun
He was tolerably successful, as the
gradually accumulating litter upon the
carpet attested, and the interest of the
pursuit dcepcned. Nan looked around
once, and saw only two little heads lean
ing out of the window
Absorbed in the beauties of nature
for once; glad of their quiet" she com
mentcd silently, and became obliyious
again.
Flushed with triumph, Master Rue's
piscatorial enthusiasm increased, and he
flung his line about more wildly.
"Ho, didn't that woman jump. Why,
YOU hit her right on the nose with your
hook :" said Margie.
"Shc hadn't oughter be a wadin'
round in my fishpond then, responded
Rue coolly. Now I'm goin to let it
down again. Say, Margie, see that
bunch Of bccts across the street: If they
only had laid on our sidewalk, could
hook EN- up nice, | tell you!
While they surveyed the opposite gro
Gerry an old gentleman passing down the
street on the narrow sidewalk removed
his hat to wipe his perSpiring brow, and
Ruc's descending hook came suddenly in
contact with his head
"Halloo" he exclaimed, startled and
putting up his hand to discover what had
struck him.
Rue saw the movement, and fearing
some evil to his precious fishing tackle,
gave the string quick jerk; but alas !,
the hook was entangled in the hair
80 my" calculated Margic, with sup
pressed breath, suddenly turning upon
her brother, eyes staring wide with hor-
ror and astonishmcnt
Rue gave one terrified glance towards
his hook and discovered a mass of hair
dangling in mid-air, then drew back
from the window and pulled IN with
all his might.
Took half his head clean off, he said,
in an awc-struck whisper
do YOU spcct he's dead;' asked the
frightened Margic, after moment of
awful silence.
Dunno answered Rue, solcmnly,
conccaling the horrible trophy beneath
the curtains and not daring to look out to
ascertain results. Don't YOU never an
never tell, Margie" he cnjoincd with Wis
ions of policemen, prison and gallows be-
ginning to fit before his eyes.
A step ascending the stair caught Nan ;
ear. Mrs Grimp coming up to make a
thermometer of herself and explain the
exact state of the weather. she thought,
a little impatiently, aad to the knock re-
Sponded more carelessly. than courteously,
Come in.
1t was not Mrs. Grimp that opened the
door, but q bald-headed old gentleman
who had evidently expended part of his
indignation in the labor of climbing the
stairs, for, whatever his words were, his
tone was not very terrific as he asked:
Are YOU heather up here
Il don't know" answered Nan, sur
prised but disposed to view the matter
rcfectively. Are YOU in search of a
mission, SIR
"Humphy" not exactly"
The old gentleman dropped into a
chair and began tanning himself yigor-
ously with his hat.
I'm i'll search of wig-a good. new
one, not more than week old.
"Ah! yes" said Nan, mildly. eve
don't keep any new or second hand either;
haven't anything of the sort, except that
growing on our own heads. We might
have shaved that off; | suppose it would
be cooler for warm weather; but then,
doubt if it would quite suit you, and there
isn't one about the establishment as new
as a week old
..Evnnsn ,,nn - Tho old crnntlnrnnn