Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-05-25

could plainly see, as ne sat nearly facing
the window, combined with their usua
pleading expression sort of feverish gilt
ter, and the whole attitude of the MAJ
was one of despair. In his hands hi
held what appeared to be photograph
and an old letter, and he never moved hi
eyes from them.
The rest of the room that came within
Georgia's field of vision betokcned clean.
illness, but at the same time extreme poy.
erty for even that rough country. Georgia
withdrew his head and his companion
took look, after which they both softly
retreated some little distance into the
timber and paused.
"Well:" said Roney.
"Durncd queer said Georgia.
"Kinder sick looking, eh:'
Georgia nodded his head thoughtfully
Lets see the boys about it," SAID
Roney, and then they both retraced theil
steps to the saloon.
The boys listened with interest to tn,
report, and pulled their boards and scratch
ed their heads in attempts to obtain q
solution as to what allied the Hermit
Many and various were the explanations
given, and then they decided that Georgia
and Roney had better 60 back and knock
at the door and inquire, at any rate, il
anything was wrong; so thereupon, the
two once more started up the trail. They
knocked-frst softly and then louder
but elected no response or caused any
show of life within, save the.extinguish-
ment Immediately OF the light.
NO use, whispered Roney, and with
out further word they left the little cabin
and its solitary and eccentric occupant,
and Joined their comrades.
The next day passed, and the next, and
the Hermit showed no signs of existence.
That night the mail came in, and among
the letters, was one. in woman's hand,
for John Harmer. Mineral City, San Juan
county, Colorado. There was not such 4
parsonage in the country, so far as the
boys knew, but Georgia suddenly suggested
that it might be for the Hermit. This
seemed most probable, and he was de-
puted to carry it up and deliver it, if cor
rect.
AS before, all the knocking failed to
obtain an answer, and Georgia, after a
few moments hesitation, put his shoulder
to the door, and with as little noise as
possible, burst the wooden button of, that
served as a lock. The next instant and
Georgia was in the room. The Hermit
lay extended upon the floor, his face flush
ed and hot with fever, and his long, thin
fingers nervously grasping and relaxing
against the torn blanket on which he
tossed.
Whats the matter, old pard::" said
Georgia, as he raised the old mans head.
The fevered eyes slowly turned toward
his face, the emaciated fingers opened,
and the poor, lonely old fellow said nus
kily:
Don't tell her.
"Who-tell who"
"Alice-poor little thing-she don't
know"
Thinking Of his folks in the States,
muttered Georgia, and then tenderly and
carefully lifted the sick man in his arms
and strobe away to his own cabin.
The news of the Hermit's sickness
spread through the camp and blankets
and food came from all quarters for his
use. 1Ae store was ransacked for the
best that it could afford. A terrible
slaughtering of mountain grouse took
place that rich broths might be made fol
the invalid. One man travelled sixteen
miles to Silverton to secure can oi
peaches, and the men almost fought in
the anxiety to act as nurses and watchers
Georgia thanked the boys, but kept them
away, admitting only one or two to aid
him in the care of the old man. But
despite all this attention the old fellow
sank and sank, and it soon became evi.
dent that the mountain fever had on,
more victim.
One night Georgia sat smoking hi.
pipe and musing. The owner of the let
ter had been found, for in his rawlings tn,
old man had often mentioned the name
Harmer. but the boys feared lest he shoulC
die before reading it, and this perplexet
Georgia, sadly. What was he to do will
it and might it not contain matters o
Importance: Had the old man any friend
or relatives living, and where were the,
to be found: All these things and man,
more came fitting through his brain, ant
he did not hear his patient slowly rais'
himself in bed and stare about him. Tn,