Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-10-10

| from the ICducu WaaSi' t
wha, they cracked you up to be. for if
got ducking here | shouldn't find my
self again in a hurry.
"Well, I'm as good as they'll average
| reckon, mister-I didn't hear you
name" said Joe, looking up inquiringly
"Peter Groom is my name, and ain
ashamed of it ; it'll be pretty well knowl
in these parts by this day week, an
thinking" and the man smiled smil
not pleasant to see.
Flows that" said Joe, anxious t
betray no previous knowledge.
I'm come to give evidence in tria
that's coming off in your county town,
said Groom moiioning toward the Milhan
shore. I've travelled Eigt five hun
dred miles on purpose to do and IL
travel five hundred more it was need
3D."
"Is it the Sawyer tria- you mean: :
asked Joe, carelessly. People hav'
been saying there amt evidence enough
to make a case, but s'pose then there
something new turned up
Il should rather think so something
that'll make a case'll hold John Sawyer
as tight as his coffin"
He clinchtd his hand on his oar
Joe was beginning to understand Mar.
gy's hatred for this man with his oper
exultation in the ruin he was going tc
work.
"Im sorry for the old man." he said
after a pause, land so are most folks
about here Wilson was known for a
bully, and if Sawyer really done it, twas
,hat-that and the drink, for when he's
himself he wouldn't hurt worm"
" You've no need to tell me what John
Sawyer is, said the other, shortly. Il
knew him before you was born, before
ever he come into these parts"
"Well," said the boatman, "you've a
queer notion OF old acquaintance's sake,
then. that's all"
"Tll give him swing for old acquaint-
ances sake, if can," replied Groom,
with scowl.
Joe drew a quick breath.
"Can you do that = he said.
THAT or Iifer. tell you, my man,
saw it done"
"You saw Sawyer kill Wilson = ex-
exclaimed Joe, stopping short on his
oars.
Il saw him strike the blow that killed
him, and that comes to pretty nigh the
same thing, | take it.
But how is it you've kept back all
along"
We'll, it's like this" said Groom,
who appeared to be in more communi-
ca,iye mood than while before. The
day OF the murder-to begin at the be-
ginning happened to be passing
through Milham, and stopped over a
train there to see man had dealings
with. He lived little out of the town,
d lonesome road, part OF the way across
some fields. | did my business and
started back again alone, as | had come.
Half way or thercabout, heard a kind
OF cussing and quarrelins in the next
feld-right close to my ear it sounded,
only couldn't see anything for the high
hedge What's up: thinks |, might
as well take a peep Twas an uncom-
mon fine evening-moonlight you could
almost see TO read by, and knew Saw
yer as soon as | set eyes on him. His
face was turned exactly TO me, and ugly
enough it lookei then. The next min
ute saw him strike out, and the other
man went down like log"
"And you let him lay" interrupted
Joe in excitement. "You never called
for help, nor nothing =
"What for" said Groom. carelessly
Il thought twas just drunken quarrel
i knew what Sawyer was-and | left
'em to settle it between themselves. !
had to look sharp for the next train, so
hurried back to the hotel, and none toe
sooa, either. | never thought again o
the matter till the other day happened
to hear that John Sawyer was going tc
be tried TOR murder, and. talking thi:
way and that, found the time and the
gen raj circumstances agreed with thai
evening; so, then, knew had seer
the thing done"
Il = Groom paused moment, and, wher
he resumed, it was in an abstract tone.
"'Twasn't particularly convenient TO-
me to leave my business just then; if i
had been any body else Id likely have
left the poor devil to sink or swim as /
might be, but John Sawyer. | tell you,
he continued, through his set teeth, as
catching the boaim .n 5 eye, he appeared
suddenly conscious OF listener, I'D lie
all I've got 20 to rack and ruin for th
pleasure Of seeing John Sawyer stanC
there, disgraced and convicted man
and saying to him, 'TwI, me that die
it,
There was something in Joe Gorton''
breast on which the fierce words ant
manner Jared painfully. He was nj
preacher, this poor, untaught boatman
, he did not know how to tell the man be
fore him that his promised revenge wa
cruel and cowardly; but yet he felt that
, even setting aside Marjy's interests, ther
was something in it which reused all hi
, instincts of resistance. He shook hi
head as he thought about it.
r That's feeling | can't make out,
. he said, half aloud.
Cant youi' said Groom, shortly
F.: supposing the remark addressed to him
/ self. Have you got sweetheart
D young man. he added, abruptly, afte
Y short pause. -
"a sweetheart:' repeated Joe, startin