Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-02-28

me Tor some one else, ana was III tnat
frame Of mind that humored the mis-
take.
i've never felt better. How 10 il
with you:"
"To!lyble. tollyble; / can't complain.
The old woman is troubled with the
rheumatic, but otherways she's as we'll
as ever. +"
"And your boys and girlsf"
"My boys and girlsr' no repeated,
turning h,s bewhiskered face toward me
with an expression Of astonishment.
"Hare you forgot that Tom and Mag
Bulfinch buried their last chick during
wartimess"
II beg pardon; ought 20 have
known better.
~ s'pose it's cause you've been
away fur some time," ventured the
landlords crony.
THAT must be it." Ihastened to add.
"Of course" remarked my host.
esquire eager is purity gin rally right
bout such things Did you leave your
father well Hank?'
"Quite well, thank you.
"Ain't married ag'in, ehi"
"No; think there's no likelihood Of
that. 4"
Folks round here said a. how he
was getting quite sweet ON Widder Per.
kins, up that way"
"Oh, he has always been friendly
with her, but I don't think either Of
them has any idea Of marrying, though
l should bc pleased to see 40 suitable n
match"
They'd make likely team. The
widder has some property and no chill
dren. while you be the only one belong.
ing to your father. and l reckon you 're
old 'nough to look after yourself, eh.
Hank"
~ should be ashamed il were net. I"
Its quar- bout Major Hugh Boyer,
remarked Squire eager. "He made n
splendid record in the war under Joe
Johnston. but he acts as il he was
'sbamed Of it, fur you know he won't
let any Of MS call him major when he
oughter been a gin'ral. F"
If my father had reached that rank
or had become even u colonel, suspect
he would not object to the title, but
there isn't much in a simple major. y
Ii will be admitted that l was pick
ing mp information. had learned that
was supposed To be Hank Boyer, son
Of Major Hugh Boyer, who lived some
where in the noighborbood. My COM
panion were Squire eager and Land
lord Tom Bnlfnch, whose wite's name
was Mag, and they had no living chill
dren. Moreover. my father was suspect
ed Of holding matrimonial intentions
toward certain Widow Perkins.
All this WAS interesting, but not
equal to that which speedily followed.
That old age is entitled to certain privi-
leees waC proved by the next remark Of
the landlord, who removed bA pipe
from his mouth and asked with u
chuckle:
,"And bows Esther
The question was startling one, and
but for W hat ne had said few minutes
before | should have suspected he re-
ferred To sister or relative, but IL was
clear that he had tenderer relation In
mind. / blushed and answered of'hand,
with a light laugh:
"She's as blooming as peach, the
queen of her sex.
"a right likely gal and no mistake. 7"
was the hearty comment of the squire.
"She'll have fine, plantation when the
colonel drops out"
1t seemed now that the farce had
gone far enough. and was on the point
Of breaking into ringing laughter and
assuring my friends that was not only
not Hank Beyer. but had not the re-
motest idea Of the personality OF the
young gentleman. whom ! had never
seen or heard Of until that afternoon.
but these delightful old fellows oozed
knowledge 80 fast that it was delicious
TO drink il in.
However, / could not forget l was
avepously hungry, having eaten moth
ing since leaving the old inn at South
field that morning. / therefore asked
the landlord how soon it would be con-
voS,ient for him to furnish me with o
substantial meal.
'I'll see, f" he replied, passing through
the door on his right and returning in
few minutes with the welcome words:
"You can go in now. We hain't
much to give you, but ! hope it'n suit
I'll take your valise and umbrella up
stairs to your room, and you can wash
there in the corner"
1t takes rough experience like mine
had been TO appreciate true southern
hospitality. The meal Of pone, corn
bread and bacon, with fragrant coffee,
was one of the most enjoyable Of my
life, for it was seasoned with the most
powerful OF all sauces-hunger. Aunt
Meg, US she was called by all, was a