Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-05-01


calling slow cutting off of the gas a
dash, and quick one dot, my friend
was saying to me: "Good morning, my
dear friend, Roscoe"
answered him by series Of raps on
the wall. He went on with his writing.
l rose and dressed
don't remember much about break.
fast, but after breakfast we walked
down to the new pumping-works. We
examined the system quite thorough
ly, learned who "fire pressure -
that is, the pressure when the hy-
drants are used for fire purposes
could be maintained, and returned to the
work of the day with an increased idea
of the value of the interest we had in
the water-works.
Ny day was a busy one. Arnold's
day was busy one. Ny day was quite
like other days, except in one or two par
;iculars. l had a large quantity OF
books come by express, and so ATTENDED d
to them instead of going home to dinner.
We live far out on the edge Of the city,
and could not spare the time to 60.
Arnold's day was quite like other days
too. as have learned since. He sent
me note from the bank after his return
from dinner, saying that he would come
to the bookstore after banking hours,
that is, after o'clock. and asking me if
l could possibly leave my work in the
hands of clerk and take drive with
him into the country. sent back re
ply that would go. was glad ne was
coming for me, for the bank was a long
distence from the store and the day was
terribly hot.
At 8 o'clock was ready, but Arnold
did not come. At 4 he sent another
note.
"A mistake of few cents somewhere
is giving US lots of trouble. shall let
the rest go in a little time, but | must
stay until the books are all right. Go
without me.
sent one of the clerks out for car
riage, and drove out into the country
got away from the hot air of the city.
| saw the green grass and the pure
water, and the flowers and the blue sky.
But | was too busy thinking to enjoy
them much. | was running over in my
mind the points which | intended to in-
clude in the next two or three chapters
Of my book.
returned to the city at 7 o'clock, and
saw one Of those unfortunate things oc-
cua which are altogether too frequent in
large cities. A large man, with pecul-
lar face, which face | need not
stop to describe, stood on a street corner.
Another man came up. Words passed
between them. The large man knocked
the other man down, and ran away just
as the police arrived.
A window flew up, and some one in
side "a woman I judged, although The
curtain hid all but the hands stood with
hands tightly clasped for a moment.
Then, beating them up and down IN the
air in frantic manner for few seconds,
the person disappeared with shrill cry
of Help Murder !"
1t wasn't murder, though. The man
was senseless for few minutes, but be-
fore drove on was well enough to walk
away.
went home. Arnold had not arrived
yet. ate my supper, went to my room
and spent the early evening writing IN
nv book. remember that wrote on
the remarkable sensibility of the ear in
some dreams and on the Interpretation OF
a series of dreams. Arnold had not re-
turned when | retired at about midnight.
1t is, perhaps no wonder l dreamed. l
remember saying to myself that it would
rain soon. I remember closing my win-
dow to guard against the coming storm.
To help cool the room | opened the
water.cock. / remember looking at my
watch which pointed to five minutes to
twelve, and, | am certain of nothing
more, save the getting into bed, until |
awoke again. To be sure it seems as
though lay for time in luxury of per-
| feet restfulness, and then sank slowly tc
sleep. But as my dream was of some.
thing happening in bed. shall not at
tempt to say when it began.
| l thought it was morning. l opened
my eyes. l wondered why the bird
were not singing. My door slowly open
ed. A food of light poured in. 1t les.
sened and frightened, and I read from
the flashes "Help Murder! J"
Iawoke to find my door shut, no trace
of there having been any gas lighted
and saw that the storm was almost up
on us. The thunder could not be heard