Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-08-07


is so finely strung that the least thing af-
fects him. Jack is a dear fellow, is Jack.
So good-hearted and clever. They adore
him at the Club"
"Perhaps SO" rejoined her friend, "but
it must take fortune to keep him in
cloves. By-by. ] must get down town
to match that lace" And with one of
those natty little you-for-your-moth-
er kisses the girls exchange, Bessie Nor
ris skipped away.
Alice put another stitch in the curl of
the J. and examined it critically. Then
she sighed, put her work aside, and fell
into a fit of detected musing. "Jack
does drink so horribly" she said. 81
wish was not so fond of him. am
running a fearful risk, they tell me, in
marrying him. But what can do? l
cannot give him up; would not if |
| could. And | cannot reform him"
And Alice, in true feminine fashion, be-.
gan to cry.
"Tears, idle tears, | know not what
ye mean," cried merry voice in her ear,
and tall, manly young fellow caught
away her hands, and laughed heartily at
her look Of distress. "How now, COZ, y
he said, soothingly, "what has gone
wrong: Are there To be no calls this
year: Does the stern papa legislate
that the basket shall be hung on the
outer wall, and no beau allowed to taste
our cake and vine !. Out with it. Tell
me all, and by yonder drowsy policeman
on the corner | swear to right your
wrongs"
"Oh, Charley" said his cousin, " it is
all about Jack. You know his irregular
habits-that's what you men call it,
believe. must make him stop drinking
Charley, dear, you are man; do give
me some advice
Charley grew grave in a moment.
You are right, Alice" he said. "We
must put our heads together to save Jack
Quimby, and if for your sake alone, dear
girl, l shall sit awake all night thinking
how it can be done"
eff it can be done, Charley will do it"
said Alice, cheerfully. 80, Jack, Jack,
if you could but understand how much
trouble you are giving u.s."
Jack Quimby saw the old year out
and the new year in according to the
usual fashion of such ceremonies. And
he awoke with the same old headache,
only intensified by deeper and more va
rifed potations. While he was deliber.
ating whether it was really worth his
while getting up at all or not, a knock
came at his door, Immediately followed
by couple of young fellows, faultless-
ly dressed in the regulation visiting cos.
tune.
"Come, come, Jack You are q nice
fellow for calling chum. Over fifty
visits to make to-day and you not up
yet and they dragged the unfortunate
roysterer from his bed, and watched his
hurried efforts at dressing with uproari-
Gus mirth.
1t was quite late in the evening be-
fore the Quimby carriage halted before
Judge Benton's door. Alice had been
anxiously expecting him all day, but
when a gush of cloves preceded his en-
trance her heart sank within her. Jack
felt the importance Of presenting sober
appearance, and his bow was cold, al
most stern, and full Of preternatural
gravity.
81 wish you, Miss Benton, the COM
pliments of the season" he said, in slow
and deliberate accents. There was not
solitary "r" in this sentence, for Mr..
Quimby knew from experience the dan
gers surrounding that consonant at this
stage Of the proceedings. Judge, am
delighted to see you looking so well"
and this time the bow was directed to q
stiff, high-backed chair, an heirloom in
the Benton family.
"Sit down, Jack, and don't be silly"
whispered Alice, after greeting his two
friends. "Oh, you wicked boy what is
the matter with your eyes, And your
neck-tie has slipped up under your ear.
How your gloves are stained with
claret y
Half an hour later, Mr.. Quimby was
supported to the carriage, and Alice reg.
istered solemn vow that unless hel
cousins plan was conclusively and per-
manently effective she would never be
Mrs. Quimby, if she had to live and die
an old maid. On the evening Of Mr.,
Quimby's call half dozen young fellows
sat together in the private and we'll
known restaurant. Alice Benton's cousin
was chairman.
"Boys," he said, "we must all Of us
make a raid upon Quimby, tomorrow
Il II T. IA