Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-06-21
NECK OR NOTHING.
By JEANETTE q. vALvoBTH.

/ 1OA1 WV AVO - A14 W.
By JEANETTE b. vALw0RTH.
TCopyright. 1877. by the Author.l
CHAPTER XIX.
Following upon clouded sunset had
come one of those sudden changes in
the weather common to that climate
and season, and night set In in such
chilly fashion that Seth cast about his
threadbare wardrobe In an impatient
and hopeless search for something that
might serve az substitute for top
coat
He twas bound to zee that thing oui
il he had to set the night through in
his shirt sleeves on that windy gallery. y
The Scriptural apportionment Of sew.
en- women to one man came very near
Of achievement ut Sans Souci in those
days and Seth felt sense Of RESPONSE.
bility for their physical welfare that
was not confined to the careful herding
Of their diminishing flocks or the rails.
ing of acceptable food crops.
That "a lot Of impudent Yankee cuss.
es" should have visited Sans Souci. and
let their trough tongues" loose ON the
madam and sissy was an indignity that
stirred him to hot but impotent wrath.
He had 80 expressed himself with in
effectual remorse when the story Of the
| morning had been told him, variously
and excitedly.
"I dent know as could a.done any.
| thing IL I'd ben here, but seems like
there oughter ben n man bout TO
a. saved you all some.
1--WE amt through with 'em yet,
sonny. You'll have q chance at 'em, "
said his mother, with pathetic pride
| In the courage Of the Martins 1T
wouldn't surprise mo one particle II
them sassy rogucs was to come back to-
night and stick u torch to us all while
we was asleep -
II was this frightful prophecy that
set Seth to hunting up n topcoat, which,
Of course. he did not find
He relinquished the search with .
patient sigh and compromised on a
moth eaten comforter, which he was
cheerfully convinced would secure him
against the added pangs Of sore throat
They Were IN unexacting lot, those
hemmed il: rebels. men and women,
and had learned the great lesson Of do
ing without thoroughly well. And q
man who has learned TO do without
such superfluities as -four and coffee
and sugar and shoes and hats is not apt
10 grow captious over the absence OF o
topcoat.
If il worn't for the women folks,
could stand il better. durn'd IL /
couldn't. I'd enjoy mortifyin the
flesh in some fashion, seein I'm shut of
from doin any Of the iightin, but nam.
my's old and the madam 5 delicate, and
dog on me il il don't make me snortin
mad to have them pestered. "
Thus Seth To himself, pacing slowly
and softly up and down the vine cur
tanned gallery, lonely, tewildercd sen
tinel. not knowing in the least what
the moments might bring forth, accept
ing duty for his password and ready TO
follow his commander, conscience, into
the very jaws Of death.
Two huge tubbed oleanders hanketi
the front steps on either side. The soft,
slow ratter Of the rain upon their thick
leaves made him nervous 1t less(ned
his chances of hearing approaching foot
steps and tended to further confuse his
bewildercd senses
At one moment the pattering sound
ed like the farof clatter Of innumera.
ble hoofs, then again il fell with the
sharp distinctness Of clinking spurs on
nearby heals, while over the shadowy
groups Of the dark shrubs the night
wind swept It's eolian harp with rest
less fingers
When unstinted physical labor has
filed the day, sleep makes imperative
demands on man, let him be never 80
nervously excited otherwise, and Seth
had to keep in constant motion to ward
off drowsiness. He would never forgive
himself if those predicted torch bearers
should accomplish their wicked ends
while he slept.
Oh 'em, they may shoot me fur
il, but Ilrget in one or two licks fust- y
His football was noiseless, nothing
between him and the damp gallery floor
but the stout wooden socks knitted by
his mothers dexterous fingers
The wooden sabots he had laborious-
" achieved for outdoor wear were too
painfully audible for such delicate
mission ms that night was devoted to.
This sentinel duty had not been dis
cussed with the women. They had all
retired early after that nerve trying
day, and he hoped they were all sleep
ing of the recollection Of its trials.
Seth was affectionately minded to spare
them every unnecessary pang, and II
they knew he was footing it, out
there in the chill darkness some Of
them would "fret over it.
There was no suggestion Of the hero
in Seth Martin personality at the best.
Heroes do not slouch through the OBJ
scure byways Of the world OH shambling
feet and with down dropped head.
Pride Of record lifts their heads above
the earthworn's trail. But Seth had
no record to be proud OF.
Destiny bad assigned him this posi-