Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-10-10
JOE GORTONS PASSENGER.
BY KATE PUTNAM oSGooD.


The day was drawing toward its close,
chill and raw. Lake Village was al
most always gusty; but just now the
wind was having its own way more than
usual, and any passer through the long,
bleak street, happening to glance in al
the window of the little waterside tavern,
might well have been tempted by The
bright fire and good company inside the
bar.
They were the usual afternoon loafers,
with the exception of one small, wiry-
looking mana stranger-who had stop
ped to take a glass Of something hot, and
who, at the moment, was evidently the
center of the general interest.
L" But what is it you know, any how,
stranger" asked one Of the group.
Come, now, among friends"
"Never you mind :" answered the man
addressed. - | know how 10 tell it when
the right time comes don, you be afraid
Of that, The days getting on" he
added, abruptly, rising and turning to-
ward the window; and your duck
pond there doesn't look over agreeable,
Just now. Who's a good boatman here
about For, if | am split, | cannot
swim"
"Joe Gor,on's your man. was the an
swer; "hc couldn't tip over if he tried,
Joe couldn't"
"Why don't you wait till tomorrow.
stranger, if you're afea-d o the water
And them clouds over there do look kin
der pesky," said the landlord Of the
Lakeside House, turning practical eye
on the gray miueling outline OF lake and
sky.
"Well, fact i" said the other, " I'm
acquainted over in Milham, and, if it's
all the same to yoa" with a wjnk-"ld
rather be there than here; so, if You Il
hunt up this Joe What ;. his name, Ill
be obliged.
The landlord, rescnting the wink and
the implied insinuatioa, opened the door,
and called out, rather sulkily, to some
one in the next room: Marcy, run
down TO the water, and tel, Joe there u
passenger here
In another minute the house door
closed, and tall, slight girls figure,
with 4 shawl over its head, might have
been seen hurrying down to the water
side.
Joe Gor;on, busy about his boat, heard
his name called, and, looking up. saw
the girl Marcy. The sharp wind had
blown out stray locks of her crisp, black
hair from under the I'd shawl; but the
hectic in the dilated eye; were not all the
winds work. She came close to the
Young boatman, who raised himself up,
facing her.
Joe" she said, there's passenger
waiting up to the house" She laid her
hand on his arm, and glanced cautiously
round before adding, in whisper: "Joe,
if once that man reaches the other side,
it's all up with father "
whats that, Marcy said the boat
man, looking wonderingly at her.
IL tell you heard it. He'll bring 1t
home to him-he says so; he's come a
purpose. It's fathers chance clean gone
If YOU take him across"
do you mean sheuld refuse to take
him, Marcy said Joe, slowly.
What good would that do said the
girl. impatiently. kelly, or some o
EN-, would take him fast enough; what
fathers life against fare No, it's yot
must take him, Joe, and then, ii anything
happens" sinking her voice to a mean
ing whisper, nobody but You and me
the wiser"
Joe started back.
Marcy, what's that you're thinking
of"
u can't help it, - cried the girl pas
siona,ely twisting her fingers in the shaw
fringe SO that it snapped. " He's m!
father. and never was better but TO
the drink-you know yourself; every
body says so-and if you could hear tina
man up there laughing and boasting hel
hang him, Joe, you'd find it hard 10 keel
YOUR hands off of him; but | don't ash
YOU 10 so much as to touch finger t
him, only-if the boat turns over he can
swim. heard him say so; and the
fathers saved, and nobody the wiser; 70
the best boatman that ever was Nigh
have an accident ON squally evenin
like this.
There. there, Marcy, be still, poo
girl; you don't know what you're say
ing" interposed Joe.
Yes, do" said she, passionately
"never you think, Joe Gorton. te
you it lays with you TO save father or
| kill him yes, and me, too; for if the
hang him I'll never live over the day, an
that swear, so choose between u'
+. Hark ~ she turned to listen. II can
stay" She pressed her hand hard Q
his shoulder, looking up piteously in h
face. "Joe, if ever you cared for M
I save that poor old man. And befo
I! he could answer she was gone, leavir
him looking after her like one in
dream.
= The clouds were getting lower al
@es heavier as the boatman started of WI