Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-01-31

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Sisxum after his potations, 70 that be
will forget our friends."
."Now, brethren and sAints," cried
Jake, "attention for the polkyi Pipe
up. Botteryi'
At the sound Of the creaking polka. q
youth. pale and unwholesome - .
tailor's apprentice. led out . sister saint
Others followed. Some danced teetotum
fashiou. Others bounced clumsily about.
Around them all stood an applauding
circle. The hddlen scraped; the dust
new. Sissum and Larrap, two bad ele-
ments In combination. stood together,
cheering the dancers.
"Come," said Brent, "let ~ get into
purer air and among nobler creatures.
How little we thought" he continued.
''when we were speaking Of such scenes
and people a we have Just left as pos
sible background. what figures would
stand In the foreground"
81 ain glad to be out Of that noisy rab-
ble," said I, a. we passed from the gate.
"The stars seem to look disdainfully on
them. I cannot be entertained by that
low comedy, with tragedy sitting beside
our friends wagon"
"The stars" said Brent bitterly, "sre
cold and cruel a. destiny. There Ia
heaven overhead, pretending to be calm.
ing and benignant. and giving no help,
while I am thinking In agony what can
be done to save from any touch Of shame
or deeper sorrow that noble daughter"
at IL q fne night for . gallop," re-
peated.
"There they are. wemust keep them
out OF the fort, Wade. II You love me,
detain the old man In talk for half an
hour"
Certainly; half . century. II It win
do any good"
Mr.. Clitheroe and his daughter were
walking slowly toward the fort He
appealed to us as we approached.
81 am urging my daughter to join In
the amusements Of the evening"" said
he. "You know, my dear. that many Of
our old Lancashire neighbors still would
be pleased to see you lady patroness OF
their innocent sports and lending your
countenance to their healthy hilarity.
A little gayety viii do you good, am
sure. This ball may not be elegant, but
It will DO cheerful, and Of course con.
Quoted with great propriety, since Broth.
er Sixxun Is present. ] am afraid he
will miss MS and be offended. That
must not be. Ellen dear. We must not
offend Brother Sizzum In any way what
ever. We must consider that his wishes
are sovereign. for 10 he not the chosen
apostles"
Brent and could both have wept to
hear this crazy, senile stuff.
spray, father dear" said Miss Clithe-
roe, "do not insist upon II. We shall
both be wearied out II we are up late
after our days march,"
It was clearly out Of tenderness to him
that she avoided the real objections she
must have to such Q scene.
+. at Is quite too noisy and dusty for
Miss Clitheroe In the fort" said !, and ]
took his arm. "Come, sir, let us walk
about and have chat In the open air."
I led him Of, poor old gentleman,
facile under my resolute control. AL
he had long ago needed was firm man
friend to take him In hand and be his
despot. but the weaker he was the less
he could be subject to his daughter. II
Is the feeble, unmasculine men who fight
most petulantly against the influence
and power q women.
"Well, Mr.. Wade," said he, "perhsps
you are right. We have only to fancy
this the terrace outside the chateau, and
It Is rs much according to rule to prone.
made here as to stiAe In the ballroom.
You are very kind, gentlemen, both. to
prefer our society TO the entertainment
inside. Certainly Brother Bottery's yio-
lin Is not like one Of our modern bands,
but when ! was your age could dance
to anything and anywhere. I suppose
young men see 80 much more Of the
world now that they outgrow those fan.
cies sooner"
So we walked on, away from the harsh
sounds Of the ball. Brent dropped be-
hind, talking earnestly with the lady.