Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-09-07
With radiance vas driving through the

Red Swamp, where the maple-trees from
which il took its name were all aelow with
crimson blossoms, and the thrushes and
robins called 10 ono another with fute-lke
notes.
Well I managed splendidly. knew
where I was going to when started. I
sold the six barrels Of russets TO the man
who kept the Park Hotel for four dollars
apiece, and that was more than Leeman him
self anticipated.
"Be careful you don't get robbed, now"
said the man, as he watched me put the
bills into my little leather portmonnaie.
robbed! said I, with laugh. why,
Who should rob moi"
"Oh, I don't know" said the landlord.
"Thsre's always tramps and burglars
around. They're . crop that don't belong
to any particular season of the year."
As turned avay--I did not notice it OF
tho time, but it came back to me afterwsrd,
O. things do come back, like sudden fash
scross the dark shield of memory man
vho was lounging on the steps looked hard
q me.
I oolored little, and thought TO myself,
"WeIl, he viii know me the next time he
sses me, and then forgot all about it ; for
had mothers black bombazine TO match,
and LIS spring hat TO buy, and some dinner
ohina 70 select, and the doctors prescription
for Leeman 10 fIl out at the druggists, so
that II was well on TO seven when | turned
cid Pomp's head homeward, in the suburbs
Of the town, with feeling of elation which
was quito pardonable, when one considers
my ineIperience in the marketing line and
my exceptionally good success.
The sunshine was warm, and still on the
high-road, and was rather glad when Mt
last we came 10 the cool shadows Of the Red
Swamp, where the birds were all silen; in
the noon-heats, and sweetest of odors came
floating up from the tangled recesses Of fern
and oowslip, on either side Of the solitary,
railed-in road.
All at once, old Pomp gave sidewise
start-his ancient idea of shying-and then
saw o man, pale, dusty and tircd-looking
sitting on fallen log, just outside Of the
road felt sorry for him; was like
mother-who never would lot the shabbiest
or meanest-looking vagabond so past our
house without draught of milk, or piece
Of fresh-baked pie, or slice of her famous
homemade bread-cake-and withou. stop
ping to think I drew in old Pomp's rein.
"Are you going toward Lenox Gross
Roads2" said 1. "Yes? Then jump in ;
Tn going in that direction, too, and I'll
give you o lift"
He thanked me in q silent, dropping sort
Of way, and seated himself on the board at
the back Of the wagon, toward which I
pointed with the handle Of my whip.
"You look ILL.," said I.
"rm not Ill, he said, with q smothered
cough. "Only tired with my long walk.
didn't know It was so far TO Lenox."
"Iuppose You are going for work. "
aid !. Deacon Briefly has good many
hands Just now in his tobacco factory"
"No,n said he; ~ am not going TO
work"
asked no more questions. I did not like
the idea Of mans shrouding himself in
mystery in thnt sort of way; and, as l
glanced around once more, sudden revela-
ton came across me, like blaze Of light.
I. was the same man who had eyed mo
keenly on the steps Of the Park Hotel
Then remembered my mothers words
of caution, Leeman's reiterated eIhorta-
tations, the landlords friendly words Of
warning.
And, in spite of it all, I had deliberately
thrust my silly head into the jaws of dan
ger. There was only one thing remaining
for me to do-to get out Of the scrape az
well as could
cast about in my mind how 10 do this;
and presently, with beating heart, I drop
ped little paper parcel of blue ribbon into
the road.
"Oh, cried, checking old Pomp, "Pvs
dropped my parcel. Would-would you
mind getting out after it? ?"
"Not in the least" said the stranger,
and he climbed laboriously out of the
wagon.
He had scarcely set his foot on the ground
before laid the whip on old Pomp with q
will, and ratified away over the long, straight
road at a pace that seemed positively marvel.
Gus to me and Pomp both
So We left our passenger behind, in tho
middle of the Red Swamp. could see him
standing there, blank and astonished, the
sole figure in the long perspective, as I ven-
tured to look back; but only whipped
Pomp the harder, and never let him bate
his pace until we stood well out of the Red
Swamp.
"Pve out -generalled him, said !, to my
self, "and I've saved Leeman's twenty -four
dollars. I'm sorry about the blue ribbon |;
but it was only yard and quarter, after
an and can trim LIS hat with something
else"
They were delighted at my prowess when
I related my adventure at homo. Leeman
declared was a capital little marketwoman;
mother shuddered at the idea of the desper-
ate tramp alone with me In the tangled will
dernesses of the Red Swamp; LII declared
that was heroine.
"wasn't it good idea for Kate to drop
the blue ribbon, and send him after it1"
said she.
"Kate xas a goose ever 70 Let him get