Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-02-18

merous charges when it occurred to him
that Miranda, Mrs. Doogan's jointed
doll and the only member Of the tribe
that the paterfamilias had any interest
in, was decidedly dirty and must have
bath right that minute. So of he went
TO the laundry with the fated Miranda
undor his arm. and getting ON q chair
which stood conveniently by he laid his
charge carefully on the bottom Of one Of
the washtrays and turned on both fau-
GETS
As the tub filed he observed that Mi
randa rose OF the waves, and this de.
lighted him very much. why, Miriam.
da, you can fioat beautiful" he oo-
served, "and il you're not 'fraid Of get
ting a chill I'll show you how to swim. "
Miranda didn't say she was afraid,
but she was beginning to look remarka-
bly, woebegone, especially In the vicinity
of her faxeI hair. Her father did not
seem to notice this, however. Tying
one Of the girls aprons around his
waist. he rolled up his sleeves and pro-
ceedcd to give an object lesson.
''You see. my dear. You Just put your
two hands together like this and then
splash 'em out as far as you can, and
then splash 'em together again. Just as
easy as anything when you once get in
10 IL. and it's lots Of fun too"
Evidently Mr.. Doogan thought 1t was
lots Of fun. for he became 30 engrossed
in his occupation that he forgot all
about Miranda for quite long time.
Then be saw the meat boy walk down
the path on his way to the kitchen, and
this reminded him about the dinner
which was yet to be prepared.
Now, Miranda. I guess you've had
a long swim enough for today, and III
Just wash you mp quick and go and get
the dinner ready. so that when your ma
comes home she won't have TO wait. "
Accordingly he got large cake Of
brown soap and proceeded to give his
daughter such cleaning that she would
probably never need another in all her
life. Silence reigned for few moments,
till he came to wash what used 10 be
her curls
"Wby, Miranda, think your hair
must be falling out, he remarked. as
long strands Of fax got tangled in bis
fingers. II must tell your ma when she
comes home To get you some hair tonic,
and, my dear. you'll look so nice and
clean that she won't hardly know you. "
Then she was lifted ont, and her fond
father commenced TO dry her in his
apron. The next minute startled ex-
preston came over his face.
"Oh, Miranda. you're peeling aw.
fulr' he cried. my aprons all pink l
guess I'd better leave you dry in the sun
while go tend to the others, and then
I'll dress you and p'r'aps your ma won't
notice. You do look very pale, though. "
he added, as he laid her down ON the
chair in the sun and returned TO his 9th.
er household cares.
His sleeves felt wet and uncomfort-
able, but soon he forgot everything in
the preparation OF the dinner. He
brought out the tea set. and all went
smoothly till he went TO make the lem.
onade. He looked around for something
20 cut the lemon Mammals scissors
were nowhere in sight; all the little tin
knives were broken on il with no avail.
Then he tried his teeth, but the bitter
acid Of the skin got down his throat and
into his eyes, and he was forced TO aban-
don that method too. AT last he be-
thought him of the rusty old kitchen
knife which he carried i'll his Indian
wars. After long struggle and much
loss Of Juice the feat was at last accom-
plisicJ, but the lemon looked so jagged
and red and uninviting that IL was
doubtful il the operation could be con
sidered successful.
II guess tnat is some OF the Indians
blood. said the cook, not ut all disturb
ed. Then one Of the apples was cut by
the same means unto little. tiny pieces,
and a lump Of sugar ground very fine by
the aid Of the hero's heels and sprinkled
Oh top of the other ingredients.
"There, now that is very uice pud-
ding, and it's about time Mrs. Doogan
was home" remarked Mrs. Doogan S
other half. testing the cakes and raisins.
"I'll take these children out OF bed
first and then I'll 60 and see il she is all
right. The Indians were all ready to
fight this morning, and they might have
been disappointed about me not coming
and killed her.
The thought did not seem to disturb
Mr.. Doogan in the least. He went on
eating raisins and dressing the dolls
quite upside down in very leisurely
manner.
~ don't see how your mother man
ages these strings and buttons" was the
next uttered reflection as the last means
Of fastening the third infants dress flew
of with snap. Pins are much han
dier. "
The next minute he would have prob
ably retracted that last statement II his
vocal organs had not been in active
service, for after administering suffi-
cient quantity of pins to insure its
clothes sticking on, when he went to lay
the doll down, one Of the "handy" arti-
cles made deep red mark the whole
length of his palm.
Several minutes elapsed in which he
was in too great pain to think OF any
thing else, bat when his eyes happened
to rest ON the dinner, he thought he'd
better eat his share then and keep some
thing for his wife, il she were still in
the land Of thsliving, for there was no
telling how much longer it would be be-
fore she got home. The ham tasted very
good and SO did the red lemonade and
cakes and sugar. he was afraid to eat
any more raisins, for there were only
about FIVE left out Of a whole handful.
When he came to the pudding, however.
he stopped without hesitation.
"I think I'd better leave the pudding
for Mrs. Doogan; she's fond of pudding.
and I'd Just us soon eat plain apples. !"
which he accordingly did. During the
process of cleaning up" several plates
were broken, besides two cups, and last
of all the teapot, which had held the
small amount Of lemonade reserved for
Mrs. D.
After that things became monotonous
He thought Of washing ont some clothes,
but then he did not exactly like to open
the laundry door and face Miranda. Not
that he had any certain knowledge she
was hurt. only there arc those Strange
= ~