Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-03-15


shining shrubbery. Mrs Martin sniffeG
scornfully.
Politics! knowed il. Jest lis'n at
him
mo. sir, l am not for secession. l
am for sticking to the old fiag-our flag
as much as il is Yankee flag. This
internal rumpus is all the work Of u lot
Of hot headed, thin skinned fire eaters
who would checrfully send the whole
country to the devil rather than submit
to any fancied aifront to their own pre-
cious selves Gradual emancipation is
what We want Emancipation is inevi-
table. The voice Of Christendom is
against slavery. D-n the darkies; let
them GO We are too internally tender
toed. We are freezing for fight-that
is, you are, Clements. and you, -Dal-
ghren. Oh, don't look Mt me with those
innocent blue eyes And you need not
trouble yourself to chew that blond
mustache into fringe. The devil himself
couldn't scare you. But il you don't
get your I'LL Of buster and gore before
we re out Of this mess. then you may
boil my head for Hat Dutch cabbage
II is all wrCng, sir, all wrong, this in
fernal twaddle about our rights, our su-
premacy, our divinely appointed mas
tership Well?'
Mrs Martin started nervously. She
had emerged from behind the japonicas
and was waiting for chance to deliver
Eben's message. This sudden turning Of
the governors batteries on her unpro-
tected front clustered" her more than
ever. She delivered herself briskly:
"Eben wants some new brushes or
dered. Rats
Hey: What: Gin brushes. Rats?
The same cry every year. Ask Martin If
he thinks l I'M n.GCe Of money. l tell
you, sir, you are Understanding the
magnitude Of this thing. When we get
at it, it will be no holiday affair. You
are going to get licked out Of your boots,
Dalghren, and ON ; Lope ! may live
long enough TO say, 4 told you 30. "
Upon my word and honor, Eben, ="
Mrs Martin said that night, when she
was entertaining her linen folks" with
recital Of all that had happened since
dinner, You would "a thought the
fight was comm off t'morrer mornin,
right there and then, to "a heard him.
left him rantin and prancin and shak-
in his fist now at Colonel Clemens, then
bellerin at young Dalghren real outra.
geous He's one Of 'em, the old man
isr
Eben chuckled comfortably. He rather
enjoyed his wife's nervousness. 1t was
not easy to upset Becky.
"He wouldn't hurt hair on dog s
back, the gov nor wouldn't. lido believe
he's the one thing on top Of the earth
You re scared Of, Beck.
II amt goin { admit that I'm scared
of arer man that walks. Eben Martin,
but when it comes to good, hard COM
mon sense that keeps on level, that
knows how to regulate its voice and
amt liable to fly off ut the handle ef
you do but look at it, give me Mrs
Strong every time. The old man amt
patchin to her..
"Well?'
Eben tilted his chair back at more
secure angle against the gallery post.
He was prepared to wait patiently for
Mrs. Strong's views touching their Liza.
Becky was apt to be discursive always,
and today she was suffering from undue
excitement
"Well, left the old man snortin and
prancin and went straight todes the
where / made sure Of find
in her. She amt the one that finds
time to talk politics and set ON front
galleries. You amt been through the
house lately, have you, Eben?"
mot sence / help'd put up that big
plaster figger in the hole in the wall,
Jest whar the steps take turn. It was
q hefty figger too.
"That figger's marble, Eben, solid
marble. No plaster Jim cracks in that
house. l hear her call it Dianner.
Though mus say it don't look like
any Dianner ever saw. 'dmos' as lief
set up tombstone in my hall. But ev-
erybody to his taste. They've painted
the walls beautiful. Eben. Just beauti-
full. And the long parlor, that had the
yellow satin curtains and things, is all
been done over spick span new from the
carpet up It's crimson and gol' now."
They're fresh'nin up for Adrien."
said the overseer with the air Of impart-
ing valuable information.
"Yes, know. For Adrien. Every.
things for Adrien, and him . boy"
"Mammyp'
A soft, rcbuking sound from one Of
the recumbent forms on the hard wood
en- steps
eyes, Seth. know what you mean,
son. can't help 1t always Invent with
her up into his room, and helped her
put the pink Marseilles spread On his
bed, and helped her tie back the lace
curtains at the windows with pink rib
bon broad enough and good enough for
q girls party sash. Black Suzanne was
Allin the fireplace with fresh ribbon
grass and Nanny Nan was sprinklin
yiolets and rose leaves In every blessed
drawer In the room You would q
thought . king was comm b alssp IN