The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-09-04
ssSTAY-AT-HOME"
GRAHAM
By DAVID LOWRY
Copyright, 1901. by David Lowry

! Copyright, 1901. by David Lowry !
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Dan Graham was the most unhappy
young man Ia Hamilton county. II the
bald fact had been announced in as
many words, nobody would have ques-
toned the absolute correctness of the
statement.
Dolly Worth had taken particular
pains to manifest her Indifference con-
corning Dams actions, his sayings, his
likes or dislikes-his future. Nothing
that affected Dan Graham could in the
slightest manner concern Dolly Worth.
And everybody thought that they
were engaged!
Finally, when speculation seemed to
be exhausted, somebody conceived the
idea that the reason why these two
had parted was not SO much of a myS-
terry after all.
Inside Of a week everybody knew
that Dolly had discarded her lover be-
cause he was ''stay at home" When
the Falrview guards marched away to
fight in Cuba. among all the enthusiast
chiefs after the swiftly receding train
none was more prominent than Dolly
Worth.
Although nobody could summon suf-
ficient courage to inform Dan Ora
ham that people referred to him as
''stay ut home" he knew the truth as
well as If it had been cried from every
housetop. For time his mother
feared that he was in danger of i'm.
pressions that might prove lasting
impressions which, If permitted to be-
come permanent, would mar his life.
But some underlying force, some in
bred strength. asserted itself speedily.
Dams demeanor was again the agree
able front presented to all the world.
and very winning demeanor it was.
The air palpitated with wars alarms.
People talked of nothing but the war
until one day a garrulous old man
contrived between his daily dozes to
inform Dan that he at least did not
find any fault with him for not going
to the war. That was six or eight
months after Dolly Worth had coolly
parted from him on the most public
thoroughfare in Fairview.
The next day a calamity overlook
Fairview. The valley sank in waters
gathered in great storm. Its fields
were swept: fresh cleaned harvests
were lost; the fences for miles crum-
bled into the rising waters like the
fringe Of dolls dress in blaze. leav-
ing the valley desolate. The muddy
waters pressed through crevices and
crannies. filling every cellar in Fair
view; then they rose to the first and
second floors. A general hegira was
inevitable. Furniture was pulled and
hauled and lifted by main strength
from floor to floor. Only such articles
were left floating as might serve for
precarious footing for the drowning
rats.
Everybody was wet. dirty, soggy and
cold. Night was coming on rapidly
when a motley crowd gathered around
the immense fire the boys had kindled
on the lot in front of the postoff1ce
where the farmers hitched their horses
when the flood was not.
Suddenly somebody mentioned old
Gabe Somers.
Old Gabe was the oldest inhabitant
of Fairview. One of Gabe's uncles
was captured by the Indians and tor
tured to death on the island opposite
the town. Gabe lived alone in a cabin
isolated from his fellows. a rickety af-
fair at best. SO old that nobody was
able to recall when 1t was erected.
HAS anybody seen old Gabe"
The query was repeated. AS men
looked at each other there in the fast
failing night silence fell upon the
crowd. The silence was ominous.
Gabe's poor cabin would never survive
the flood. Perhaps while they stood
there it was crumbling down into the
hungry water. Then the spirit which
prompts all mankind to extend a help
ing hand found voice. There were
shouts, suggestions. conflicting advice.
Suddenly one man ran toward Gabe's
cabin. Those nearest him exclaimed;
others inquired who it was. Soon the
| crowd knew Dan Graham was fore
most In a mad race to the rivers edge.
Dan was the swiftest skater. swim
mer and runner In Fairview and the
| best dancer. Now he distanced all 9th
ers SO far that before they could ap-
proach him he had leaped into skiff
pushed it out and was settling the oars
into the rowlocks when the others
came up to the rivers edge.
Just little beyond Dan they saw
Gabe Somers' cabin. If ever Gabe's
cabin entered the strong current The
men looking on tossed their hands in
the air despairingly.
Hell drown. Nothing could save
him now"
Eyes. and Dan Graham'n drown
too"
"If one of them floating trees hits
| the skiff"-
"Or log hits It a biff''-
"Or some sunken sawyer bobs up
that's worst Of all''
"And it'll be SO dark he can't see just
| where he is --
"Maybe he'll swim out"
Swim! Swim! Against that cur
rent?''
Its next to suicide-that's what
say" said the postmaster, with chok-
ing voice. He was related to Dan. He
loved him as his own son.
'"There's not another man in the