Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-01-27
THE DEATH CHARM.

| two splendid animals, with the easy grace
of equestrians accustomed to the saddle.
One was maiden of scarcely more
than sixteen, with fresh, lovely face.
and form developing into perfection.
wearing dark blue habit and a slouch
hat with heavy ostrich plume. Gaunt-
let gloves encased her tiny hands, while
about her there was an air of high breed
ing. Her companion was nearly double
her age, attired in the undress uniform Of
a captain Of cavalry. He was striking
looking man, with frank, fearless face
that was very fascinating.
That there was love affair existing
between the two-young as was the
maiden-their glances indicated, and the
course of true love. in their case, seemed
to be running smoothly.
Presently they came upon crowd of
men in the roadway. A youth lay bound
upon the ground, his face pale and bleed
ing, and above him bent half dozen
rude fellows, talking in angry tones.
Garter, what means this disturb
ances" asked the maiden. sternly, ad-
dressing one Of the men.
The man touched his hat politely and
replied:
at means, Miss Lulu, that we've
caught Tartar here, but we've got him
fast, now"
"What has he been doing, Carter"
"Well, you see, Miss, saw him com
ing out of the forest where, you know,
your father allows no cunning. and |
called to him to stop and he paid no at
tention to me so calls the boys from the
fields and we gave chase and we caught
him, though he fought like tiger
"And have you dared to attack a man
in the public road. sir, Ny father shall
hear of this at once" said Lulu Sanford.
angrily.
Hes nothing but gypsy, Miss. from
the camp over the hill yonder, sullenly
said the man.
ale is human being, and was doing
no ham. Unbind him a, once, SIR
The young officer at her side now sprang
from his horse and quickly released the
youth who was bound with a rope, and
said kindly, "Get up, my man, and re-
turn TO your camp
The youth turned his dark eyes upon
the speaker and said. family:
Il cannot, sir: am badly hurt
"Shame on you, Carter. number of
burly men to beat a poor boy as you have
done, You shall suffer for this, all Of
youI,' cried the maiden, Indignantly;
and, as the men hung their heads, she
continued:
Raise him in your arms and carry
him at once to the mansion, while | ride
by and send DIR. Moore to see him. Tell
Jane to put him in a comfortable room. "
Anxious to redeem themselves in the
eyes of their employers daughter, the
men raised the youth in their arms and
bore him away, while Lulu Sanford and
her escort, Capt. Fred De Lancy, gal
loped on after the physician.
An hour after the two rode up to the
door of a very handsome mansion, sur
rounded by ornamental grounds, flower
gardens and every indication that those
who dwelt there were possessed of wealth
and refined taste.
At the door an elderly gentleman met
them and called out pleasantly:
"Well, Fred, am glad to see you, my
boy. Richard told me YOU had arrived
this morning
"Yes, Colonel, / received 60 days fur
lough and stopped to see you on my way
home; and this afternoon Miss Lulu and
myself ran off for a ride replied the
young officer.
And am very glad we did, papa, for
| found our overseer, Carter, and five of
the men had beaten man severely just
because he did not stop when command
ed to-
"Yes, the doctor is now with the poor
boy and his father, too. fear the youth
is badly hurt, and Carter and the men
shall leave my place at once, for the little
fellow was doing no harm, and his being
a gypsy is no crime. But come into the
house and get ready for dinner, for have
a surprise for YOU"
"A surprise for me-" said Lulu.
"Yes, have found governess for you
one in every way competent to teach
you in singing and instrumental music,
as you desire, and who speaks Italian
perfectly; she will be here in two weeks,
and | have engaged her for two years, so
you can complete your education under
her."
81 am so glad; | was afraid / would
have to 90 to boarding school" And
Lulu ascended to her own room, while her
father took Capt. De Lancey in charge.
The gypsy boy was severely hurt, and
for nearly week the doctor feared he
might not recover. His father hung night
and day over him, never caring for HIM
self. At length the youth rallied, and
recuperated with such rapidity that the
gypsy chief said that he could take him
back to camp, and asked to see Lulu
who had been untiring in her devotion to
the wounded boy. Finding that the
gypsy would go, Lulu ordered the car
riage to drive them to the camp, kind
ness that was accepted.
"And. lady, said the chief, with deep
feeling, "my boy owes you his life, and
the prayers of our people will ever be for
your Joy. / have money to pay, yet
will not insult heart that was kind-so