Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-04-25

the back OF the wagon with your ish.
ing-line it wouldn't trouble you 90
much"
"a good idea p said Payne, briskly.
Thanks. very much for suggesting
IT,
i've travelled over this road before"
said the pretty girl, laughing.
Are you going to 'Mailzie Ford I"
said Mr.. Payne. with q sudden CLEAN
OF animation.
"No," said the pretty girl. ITO
Cstley's Dam"
Perhaps you know something aboat
Msilzie Ford p hazarded our hero.
"Oh, yesl" said the nyhph with the
dark eyes. ats a lovely place. I
used to live there before went into
the factory at Catley's."
DO you know the Widow Buckp
ssked Payne, with interest.
"7ery WE'LL" nodded the pretty girl.
I'm going there to look for board"
said Mr.. Payne.
IL hOpe you'll be suited" said the
girl.
And then they began TO talk about
the tall, blue crested mountains. which
were beginning to close in around
them.
The dewy-eyed damsel had Tread
Longiellcw; she knew all about
Thoreau; she was even up" in Rus.
kin. and she expressed herself with
grace and spirit, which set Mr.. Payne
20 wondering If all the Maine girls were
equally cultivated and beautiful.
And then the Goldfish tumbled dewn
again and had TO be frightened anew,
and by tina. time they had come to
house in the midst Of a lonely belt OF
woods, which the driver said wss "Cat.
ley's DAM" upon which the pretty girl
disappeared into the purple twilight,
and Mr.. Pay ne and the Goldfish went or
sorrowful, much joited aud alone
A glimpse of the beautiful Magnllo-
way river by moonlight; the cry OF a
wiId.bird in the woods; the noise OF
hidden cascades; blur OF lighted win.
dows which the driver said was the
factory; down 4 blind lane. and check.
ing the tired horses at q one-storied
stone house behind wall OF cedar
trees. and then the Jehu cried out:
Now, theni Here We bel Widow
Buck'sT
Mr.. Payne got stifly ont, and helped
10 unload the various Parapherrslis OF
travel which belonged to him-sll OF
them by this time considerably favored
with sal. Goldfish.
Perhaps you had better wait" said
he, as tie driver turned around and
ehirruped to bis horse.
"What ior| demanded the man.
"In clse Mrs. Buck should not be
able to accommodate me, or"
lob, its all right~ said the driver.
She'll take You in. Naomi woald have
told you, else"
And away he drove. leaving orr hero
alone in the spectral moonlight. with
pile Of luggage at his feet, and gaunt
dog smelling at the skirts OF his coat.
Who's Naomi:" said Mr.. Payne,
addressing the moon. And what would
she have told me?'
lie raised an old fashion brass
krocker tina; hung at the door and
ratified il byiskly. The esunt dog,
aroused % a sense Of his duty, left Of
snrficg and began TO bark. Presently
a tall, tin woman, with red pocket.
handkerchief tied on her head. with
a kerosene lamp il her ta2d. opened
the 3oo-.
"Ob." said she pserirg sharply a.
him, you're the young mar from Ii:
city are you?
With the initiative thus taken ont 0!
his hands, Mr. Payne could on .;rcIins
he head.
"All them traps yourn ?" demanded
the Widow Back, abruptly.
Yes. madam" Mr. Payne admitted
"Ruuph {" said the widow. Pear
TO me rs purity tolable cheeky Of you
mister, TO take !; for granted you'd b,
asked to stay u
81 tholgh!. madame"
I'm attacking now" said the widow,
sharply. ITO begin right straight a.
the beginning, we don't know anything
about sou. You may be bank bur
glar or coun.ertei;er, for all we KNOW
my references, madame ="
Yes. I Know" said the widow
And them very references is mos
Iilkly forged. But I'm willin' to be
reasonable. Eow cid be your"
And Mr.. Payne secretly wondering Il
this vas the way they managed things
IN Maine answered meekly:
Tgo-and, thirty ~
Ever been married beforer sharply
questioned the widow.
CERTAINLY net, madame! I am q
single man T. answered Mr.. Payne, with
a very iustiiable spark of Indignation
IN his manner.
"Any business ?" went on his cate
chist.
"None, madame"
"Well, / like that I" said the widow,
Al . ...-t.i .,.:n AT - saw. -,