Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-05-22

upon his forehead. grufiy bade inc
gooiby. then struck into the path among
the bushes on our left which led ov,r .
stony hillside 90 nm isolated farmhouse,
wherc he hoped. without doubt. 20 dis
puss of his curious warS
Lot In thought, pickcd my way
along the rough path 20 the village
whose church steeples were reflected In
every direction by the glowing rays of
the sun. which. In its setting. looked
liks magnificent carbuncle
Slowly and laboriously the dark shsd.
ows climbed from the valley up the
mountain. But no sweet, refreshing
breze announced the approach Of even.
ing. A sultry. oppressive heat hung
over the entire region. and black cloud.
like chariot drawn by invisible hor~~.
came up In the farthcst west NJ the sd.
vance guard IL menacing storm
4. Il ono II tho-e pretty little Villages
which these high mountains hide by the
hundrcd among their valleys Its lar
ge-t building. next 90 the church. is its
tavern. which Offers the friendlic-t of
hospitality. Upon its sign IL blazoncd
chamois, the future ornament of the
AlT~-as yet. alas. = mythical crcature!
As entered the public room In my
comfortable ncgliece thcrc upon the cen.
ter table was already burning the Pc
trolcum lamp-an article now to Ia
found In every PEASANTS hut by cor
Il ,,.x s.ll.. ..t s.x.x.I ,-....,t- ..,tsh shaty
tesr mug before them. stepped past
them toward an open window and look
c,i ont.
II had already grown very dark. and
the whole heavens. ~ far NJ the eye
could rach. w,rc envclopcd In black
dangerous looking clouds Every now
and then thSrr would b. bright fiash
on the farthcst horizon wherc the noun.
tain peaks kissed the clouds. and then
wvuld come response In low. heavy
growls from unfa,homable abysscs
Scarcely 10 minutes later q wild hur.
ricane was in full blast Heavy drops
fell pattoring upon tho ground. Light.
ming flashes came thick and fast, and
frum the church tower pealci forth the
storm bcli.
Tho harrvom door rcakcd ON IT.
hinges, and man. bent and dripping
with rain. appeared within It. Without
word he stepped In and rotird
quickly 10 dark corner. 10 was tho ant
hunter.
Tho landlady at by the stove and
knit Only from time to time. NJ an 60
pcially binding fash would shoot
acru-s the heavens. would shc let her
work fall In her lap AMI make quickly
the sign IL the cro~s She had indeed
noticed thu new guest. but evidently
did not think him worthy u second
glance
~ draml said the ant hunter rough
ly. The land'.dy knit industriously ON
"a drami" came mOrc violently frori
the corner That took effect. Slowly
the woman got up More lcisurcly than
was ncc,ssary she went to the cupboard
and finally placcd. with cant courtesy.
the desired liquor before her guest
The latter locked at her In curiOu.ly
mocking way.
AREN'T You glad to ~. met" said
he II have the same right to cit here
~ the others pay my bills"
Al the table where the peasants sat
thcrc hal bccn great commotiOn ever
since the arrival 10 the ant hunter.
There was much putting of heads to-
gcther. very animated whispering and
I'll industrious passing about Of the
pitcher.
"Landladyr finally cried the princi.
pal speaker " the COMPANY. . broad
shouldcrd. thick set man. 'the pitcher
is empty. II you want to Ill IL again.
please 60 notice that we're not going 20
cit in the sane room with jailbird
The ant hunter shrank at the tones of
this voice
"Xavicri" ho faltcrcd
The man ~ designated caught tho
word. and with nushed face and hold.
ing his oakcn stool In his hand took
few STEPS forward
Snow. said hc. trembling with eI.
citemcnt, ''therc Il the door,
Tho ant hunter had risen He seemed
strangely calm
Xavier" said hc. you are making
yourself unnecessary trouble Your
soon NO longer irritatos me- Once have
! RAISED my hand against you In revenge.
but ought uot to have done II. Now !
am waiting until the hour itself comes.
A blinding light flooded tho whole
room. Then came fearful clap The
windows ratified With u shrek. the
landlady sprang up and all rushed to
the window.
THAT struckv' said tho ant hunter
and AT quietly down again.
Outside deepest darkness reigned In
vain did we soek To pierce It Suddenly
Q column of iirc mounted 10 heaven.
The whole village was as light n day.
80 God. my farm buildingsr cried
Xavier. burying his face In his hands
II believe tho hour Is here" said the
ant hunter and empticd his glass
From the towers sounded again the
storm hell. Gcwsome were the shrill
tones ~ they rang through the darkness
Of the night
"Firoi firc." was next heard through
tho village. and the startled pcople ran
hither and thither In the widest excite
mcnt Windows were thrown open,
doors croakcd ON their hinges, and ev-
| erybody rushed toward the wooded ridge
| from the foot Of which q mighty pyra'
mid Of fame rose toward the sky.
Shrieking and crying. the frightened
women and children begged their hus
bands and fathers not to expose them.
selves to danger.
But their alarm was groundlesS They
bad nothing 10 fear from that scene of
horror. Not finger was lifted to bring
help TO that stricken home God himself
had hurled the thundcrbolt. and where
he kindles the fre-so II Is related
shuddcringly from generation TO gener.
alton Of the peasant folk-billows of
water arc powerle-s 10 extinguish It.
Idly, therefore. stood hundreds Ut
people before the finest farmhouse IN
the valley and gazed with impotcnt hor-
rur into the flames which would soon
engulf II.
With disheveled locks and Wild do
spair in his eyes, Xavier appeared now
and then and threw out whatever came
TO his hand. howso~va WORTHLESS u
might be
The wretchcd man had lost his senses
A Rruup Of women had gathered about