Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-12-08

iurching OF the engine as they tore
round the short curves, but Haskins
thought she must have been greatly ex-
cited, because she WAS unable to keep
her cheroot lighted. Finally she tired OF
trying to smoke and simply clamped her
jaws on her puro and sat immovable,
with her beady eyes fastened on the rails
ahead.
"They met the passenger train in the
early morning, and, as word had gone
from one end Of the line to the other, OF
course the trainmen had informed the
passengers, and, with heads out OF win
dows and the platforms crowded, they
cheered and laughed as the engine ran
by. One wag shouted: Hurry, and
you'll catch them. They're just round
the bendr
mot 30 minutes later. at the next
station, was the freight train. humbly
side tracked. waiting the enemy.
"They had had terrible time assist
ing Augustinita in the cab. You can see
for yourself she weighs about 275, and
clumsy at that Haskins and the engi-
neer pulled. and the fireman, who was a
Mexican, pushed, and Augustinita
struggled and grunted and finally was
landed But when she saw the yellow
caboose she frisked out like kitten.
The engineer, who is u spiritualist, said
that the spirits helped her Haskins said
he would have been much more grateful
TO them il they had hvlped her in, but
he thought they showed good sense In
taking the easy end Of the job.
"Haskins was afraid Branscombe
would shoot or abuse the old woman in
some way, so he went with her to the
caboose. The two were sitting on sort
Of locker He had his arm about the
girl, and, beyond rising, they made no
change in their position. Haskins, on
the platform, hovered near the open
door.
"Augustinita walked up to them and
asked Manuela in her politest basso to
come home. The girl gave an impudent
answer, and poor old mamma turned
to BranscomDe. who laughed IN her face
and gave Manuela fervent kiss. Later
in the day the thought Of that kiss and
others made Branscombe's blood turn
TO ice.
Now, Augustinita had followed her
daughter because she loved her and
wished TO save her from the fate Brans-
combe had in store for her. Besides she
is thrifty old body, and Manuela's 5
beauty brings great many centavos to
the house. Many Of the men eat here
merely to get "a look in her big gray
eyes.
eat Branscombe's laugh Augustinita
burst out: 'Caramba! No more will you
laugh this day, Look
with n surprisingly quick move
ment she pulled of Manuela's chal and
tore open her high necked camisa-
Branscombe gave one glance and stag
gered heavily against the wall.
Keep away he screamed, with
outstretched hands. For Gods sake,
keep away! Don't let her come near
mel I'll hit you If you touch mel as
the girl endeavorcd 10 catch at him.
pleading with him in her soft tongue.
"Branscombe, mad with fear, was
deaf. Although he had threatened TO
strike her he did not do it. fer 1t would
bring his flesh in contact with hers. The
terror stricken man, shak eg her of. ran
out Of the car and down the track.
"Manuela covered her breast and
walked sulkily back with her mother TO
the engine.
Hawkins said it was an awful sight
those shining, livid, white blotches
on the brown skin. u sight he could not
forget for many day.
rose, sick and trembling. That was
one Of the loathsome sights OF Mexico te
which could never accustom myself,
and the thrill Of horror | had felt on
seeing the first white patched, frosty
headed leper returned.
Don't get frightened, madam. !"
said my friend. eating his salsa with
gusto. "'Old mamma had just paint
ed Manuela up in her sleep IL she had
been lepcr. Branscombe would have
been welcome to her. Do you think that
old lady would spend $500 recovering
damaged goods!"
l Hooked at "old mamma" sitting on
the earth floor comfortably smoking,
and she looked back with her diamond
eyes, and | thought it not likely. Edith
Wagner in Argonaut.