Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-05-31
PARIS, MAINE TUESDAY, MAY 81. 1881.

at the base of the great rock, and assisted
his wife to the ground where they were
to lunch.
"Must l climb up there, Dick said
Mrs. Hope.
That's the programme, what we came
out for today. You've heard so much of
the view from Dams Rock that you
want to see it for youself. Do you
know you remind me now of Parthenia
fetching water from the spring"
"Parthenia tanned her husband, didn't
she, Dick:' I'm glad your mother
saved me the trouble"
That was lunch Mary Hope often re-
called in after years. Dick persisted IN
forcing all kinds of dainties upon her,
Irish fashion," as she said afterwards.
1t was the first time she had him to her
self in the glad day with no curious eyes
TO peer on them, and she subjected her
lord and master in her turn to such
straits that he gladly cried quits as he
put his hair out Of his eyes and viewed
his tormentor.
Then they slowly mounted the mas
sive heap called Dams Rock. Such a
view A sweep Of forty miles in one
direction, east, and almost as grand a
view 10 the west.
Dick sat down and handed his wife
the glasses as he lighted a fresh cigar :
"Do YOU see that hill away off 10 the
left there :"
Hasn't it a curious shape ::
That's where the wind comes from.
They manufacture i, up there"
"Wha; do YOU mean, Dick =
There's valley back there that cx-
tends full forty miles northwest, where
YOU come to prairie. land like ours back
of Pringle's Flat, only there is ten times
more OF it. The wind rolls down the
valley AMI plays the very deuce with
things on the river about the point.
Sometimes it rains, and then you'd think
the heavens were cmp'ying all the
water in;he valley sweeps down below US
here, I'LL, the valley where it narrows
there like the neck of bottle, and then
look out for trouble, saw it once ;
that is all want TO see
as it so awful, Dick -
Il, is really awful, Mary
And now it looks like-like the plains
of Egypt. can't conceive of anything
disturbing the perfect peace Of this beau
tiful scene. See that cloud away oil
there, Dick"
About the size of a mans hand: |
see it,"
ITS the only speck in the sky" said
his wife.
"I,'s not like our sky, then said
Dick, as he kissed her standing on the
very top Of Dams Rock. "Do you know
it is time we were moving now
1--WE have only been here a little
while"
Ats three hours since we stopped at
the foot of Dams Rock
my goodness, Dick"
That's what I'm always saying to
myself when | think you took me before
all the other fellows
ut can't be.
Look for Yourself ~ said Dick, hold
ing out his watch.
Ats the grandest day of my life, Dick.
| wouldn't have missed il for anything
He gave her his hand and helped her
down the rough places. Once in while
Mary would stop to gather bits of moss
and flowers as mementoes of a red-letter
day. At least an hour was consumed in
the descent. Then they got into the
buggy and turned homeward, but not on
the road leading past brakes.
1--WE want to see all that can be seen,
don't we:" said Dick.
by all means, answered his wife. as
she tied her hat loosely and prepred to
enjoy the drive home. but didn't your
father tell you to go home BY Drake's:"
The other is the better road
You know best. Dick
Dicks mare went at slapping pace.
"She smells oats said Dick
Look at Pringle's Flat, Dick"
Pretty, isn't il :"
There is not leaf stirring, one would
think. 1t looks so restful over there
1t might be deserted village" )"
at does look unusually quiet, now
notice it. But then this sun is terrible.
See if you can find our house over there,
Mary"
There was a long silence, then the
young wife gleefully pointed out the
house, then there was another long silence
which was broken by Mrs. Hope saying
suddenly, "What is that curious sound
| hear"
Il hear nothing"
"There Do you hear it now :"
Dick inclined an ear.
They were fairly clear of the rough
land al the base of Dams Rock now, and
the mare was trottins rapidly. Suddenly
the drivers firm hand brought her upon
her launches. Dick listened intently.
His wife was right her ears were keener
than this. There was something in the
air. AT that instant Mary's hand clutched
his arm convulsively as she cried out,
"Oh, Dick, what is that back of us p
She was looking back with horror. stricken
eyes and pale lips.