Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-11-27

the deeps of tenderness"
He went to Briar Lodge, and he had
long chat with Polly, before her hus-
band came home.
Vincent was glad to see his uncle. He
was always glad to see the bland, court
eous old veteran; but he was little NOR
titled when Polly joined them, after tea
with an infnitesimal smudge across her
nose.
MY darling" said he, "what is that
on your face -
Polly glanced in the glass.
"Oh ~ said she. rubbing it off with
her pocket handkerchief; " blacks. I've
been doing the kitchen range. Such a
job
Vincent cleared his throat with some
embarrassment.
Cant you give US little music,
Polly" he said.
But Mrs. Morrison shook her head.
Couldn't, possibly" said she. Il
ran little splinter into my finger this
morning, scrubbing the kitchen close,
floor, and it has been poulticed ever
since. Besides, since have been doing
Bridget's share OF the cooking, | never
get any time to practice. One can't do
two things at once, you know
Mr.. Morrison rose quickly.
"ShAll we 90 down 10 the stables"
he said to his uncle. ''The roam horse
has something the matter with his foot,
and perhaps you could advise me about
it,"
But, once arrived at the stables, only
one stun,ed little lad could be found in
charge OF the premises,
Owen Mr.. Vincent called, some
what imps,ien,ly; "Owen What can
have become OF that lazy fellow: Where
are you, Owen"
"Oh," said Commodore Chesson, care
lessly, +" it is Owen Linn YOU are calling.
| sent him about his business this after
noon! A great, lazy, hulking fellow
that does not earn his bread What do
you need Of anybody more than Billy
here y
Vincent stared.
"But who is to groom the horses :"
said he.
"Do it yourself - said the Commo-
briskly. "Why, when was your age,
! could have groomed whole stableful
of horses before breakfast every morning,
and not even feel it. An able-bodied
man like you has no business with such
an army of retainers A man is bes,
served when he serves himself. That Is
my maxim.
Mr.. Morrison winked, involuntarily,
as if an unexpected verbal shower-bath
had descended on his head.
"And about that horses foot said
Commodore Chesson. IL It's the shoeing,
| dare say. Nobody seems, nowadays.
to understand how to shoe horse
Wixon, down by the Windmill, has
a pretty fair idea OF his business" began
Mr.. Morrison.
Nonsense :" said he. "Do i, your
self!
What, Shoe my horse:" exclaimed
Morrison.
"Why not: A man ought to know
everything about his own stables said
the Commodore. "Get the iron, set up
a little forge; make your shoe, and you ii
be sure it is properly made. Shoe your
horse, and you'll be certain he's not GRIP
pied by clumsy hands"
- am little afraid that it nigh, be
the other way" said Vincent, rather rue
fully. Il don't know anything about
such things"
"Well, then, you ought to learn" re-
piled Commodore Chesson, with cheer
ful air.
IL shall miss Owen, dreadfully !"
grumbled Mr.. Morrison.
Don't accustom Yourself to be depen-
dent upon any one,' said the Commo-
dore 1t is never good plan. Here's
this fence falling down. Are you going
to allow your property to 90 to ruin in
this sort of way =
"Tll speak to the carpenter tomorrow"
said Vincent, family.
"Do nothing of the sort said the
Commodore. Buy plane, hammer
and a pound or two of nails, and do it
yourself"
MY dear uncle, l am not carpen-
ter"
But you should be-" shouted the old
gentleman. Every man ought to un-
derstand practically the details Of his own
establishment"
"Mr. Morrison glanced up quickly;
but Commodore Chesson preserved i'm
perturbatle gravity Of manner.
but, don't you see, uncle Chesson,"
said Mr.. Morrison, impatiently, "that
that sort of thing would make perfect
slave of me: Here shall be all this
glorious simmer evening, rubbing down
the horses and patching up the garden
fence"
There's nothing like being practical .
remarked the Commodore. "A stout
young man like you should not be afraid
of work"
But this time truant twinkle in his
eye betrayed him.
"Uncle," cried Vincent, "this is a
plot! You and Polly are leagued togeth-
er against me-"
mot in the least" said Commodore
Cresson. She simply told me what
your mother said. Now, | think it's hard
if your uncle can't also have finger in
the family pie. If she has got to be
practical in her kitchen, why shouldn't