Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-10-20
A MlsuNpeRs LANDING.

n MtSONOG6S RNQtNG.
We were sitting on the pier, smoking
our after-dinner cigars; I, with my
sprained ankle, while Dick sat as close
| to me AS possible, an attack OF influenza
having left him so deaf that CONVERSE
ton had to be carried on by shouting
each remark into his ear.
He Is all right again now, am glad
to say, but for time his ailliction was
| very trying TO his friends as well as to
himself, as he acquired habit of max
| ing confidential remarks In stage
whisper which was perfectly audible
dozen yards away. Next TO him sat an
angular and sOmber-looking female,
thickly yelled, on whom Dick thought
| fit to comment In one of his stentorian
asides.
could not escape, so took refuge In
violent fit Of coughing, and got him to
pat my back. The female glared at us,
but made no remark, and before Mr..
Dick could commit himself again loud
SCI cam and splash brought every one
rushing to the end Of the pier.
As | found afterward, small boy,
who was fishing with hand line, had
overbalsnced himself and fallen into the
sea before his mothers eyes. Dick,
seeing the rush Of people, dropped his
cigar and hurried off TO find out what
had happened.
The female never moved, but In a
minute or two she shifted once or twice,
and i became conscious of smell Of
burning. Suddenly her eye lighted
ON thin curl of smoke rising
from her umbrella, which stood resting
against the seat by her side.
She opened the "brelly," and o! hor-
ror out fell the lighted end OF my
friends cigar, which had burnt fair
sized hole in the silk. The lady's sniff
changed TO snort OF fury, and, with a
whitening glance at me, To emphasize
which she raised her veil, she rose
abruptly, and walked TO the pier head,
Dick had promptly gone TO the rescue,
and. being an excellent swimmer, had
soon landed the child on the boat steps
before the distracted mother had time to
recover from fainting fit, brought on
by the shock
Then he had drink at the refresh
ment bar and returned To look after me
Just as he reached the bath chair d
EauUi uhuu ttuNitu nun WI th' ~" ~
was the angular female again.
Dick, when he saw who had stopped
him, Jumped his headlong wsy to thu
conclusion that she was the boys moth
err, about, "a he afterward put IL, "t'
weep tears OF gratitude round ones
neck"
'Do YOU call Yourself gentleman
she asked. holding him tightly by tn
coat sleeve.
Don't mention IT." said Dick.
"Do YOU want to know what cal
your"
ut really Isn't worth speaking OF,
said her victim, gently trying tn ge
free.
"A cad, that's what you are" sh
went on, loudly.
But he heard never word. I'm al
right, YOU know" he said; "a swim
does me good.
DO YOU know you've burnt a hole II
nv umbrellas with your heastly cigar
I'm awfully glad To have done any
thing for YOU, but really II was nothln;
worth mentioning"
,, Nothing :" she screamed. Nothing
why, thst umbrella cost me So
Dick caught the last word. "Grea
Scott - he said; "she wants 20 tip me
I'm visitor here, staying at the Beacl
hotel don't think YOU quite under
stand Good night. hope the it'll
chap won't catch cold"
He came up 10 me with the unwelcom
siren still ciinging 10 his arm.
Look here. Jack" he explained
"shc wants TO give me something 10
pulling kid out of the water, aud
can't make her understand that | don
want il. You have go at her
couldn't speak for laughing. Die
looked on blankly, while his persecuto
fumbed with the wounded umbrella
aud, after struggle, opened IL with
|. startling flap, like pantomime trick.
Look at that, you brute" she said
Dick looked very hard. "She's gon
, mad :" he gasped.
Hes deaf, | managed 10 blurt GU
between the paroxysms.
, II don't care. That won't pay for IN,
umbrella"
"Ilow much:" asked, feebly crop
ing ia my pocket for some silver.
"lou give me his name and address
and III send him the bill
, did so, and she departed, grumbling
when explained matters 10 Dick he ~
down on the seat aud laughed himsel
nearly dry again.
We never saw the ill-used lady again
and for some reason or other she did no
send in her bill. Perhaps her adventure
, brought on fatal attack of apoplcxy II
the night, or possibly she lost her um
brell, before she had time 10 get !
: mended. As Dick says. some people ar
80 careless.-Clips.
ur WAS plu osopHEe