Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-12-26


hailed them because 1t was time to be
going IL they wanted to get across to
the mainland without swimming. They
walked around to the back door of the
station and there found Mrs. Snow and
Captain Davis by the hen yard. The
lady from Nantucket had discovered O
sick chicken In the collection. and she
was holding 1t In her lap and at the
same time discoursing learnedly on the
relative value Of Plymouth Rocks and
Rhode Island Reds as layers,
"See there! exclaimed Captain Fri
delightedly, pointing to the suffering
pullet. "What did l tell you? D. You
wonder we picked her out for nuss for
John, Luther? Even a sick hen knows
enough to 60 to her"
They harnessed Daniel to the carry
all and slowed the living freight aboard
somehow, although Captain Perez pro-
tested that he had eaten so much din
ner he didn't knows he'd be able to
hang on the way he did coming down.
Then they said farewell to Captain
Davis and his sister and started for
home. The members Of the crew, such
of them as were about the station,
waved goodby to them as they passed.
Things kind of average UP in this
world, don't theyY' said Captain Eri
reflectively as he steered Daniel along
the soft beach toward the ford. Were
all the time readin' bout fellers that
work for the gov'ment gittin' high SAL
ries and doin' next to nOthin'. Now,
there's q gang-the life savin' crew,
mean-that does what you and me
would call almighty hard work and sit
next to nothin' for it. Uncle Sam gifts
square there, it seems to me. A few
dollars a month and find yourself amt
gilt edged wages for bein' froze and
drownded and blown to pieces ten
months out Of the year, is it?'
The tide was higher when they came
to the crossing than it had been when
they drove over before. but they made
the passage all right, although there
was some nervousness displayed by the
feminine portion Of the party. When
they reached home they found Captain
Jerry contentedly smoking his pipe.
the sick man was asleep. and every
thing was serene. Josiah appeared
from behind the barn, where he had
been smoking cigarette.
They pressed Mr.. Hazeltine to stay
to supper, but he declined, alleging
that he had been away from business
too long already. He had been re-
markably silent during the homeward
ride, and Elsie, too. had seemed busy
with her thoughts. She was full OF
fun at the supper table. however. and
Che meal was jolly one. Just as 1t
was finished Captain Jerry struck the
table bang with his palm that made
the knives and forks jump and so
startled Captain Perez as to cause him
to spill half a cup Of tea over his shirt
bosom.
Land Of lover calculated the VIC
tim, hopping his chin and his tie
with his napkin. "It's bad enough to
scare feller to death. let alone
drowndin' and scaldin' him ut the same
time. What did you do that for?
II jest thought of somethin'," ex'
claimed Captain Jerry, going through
1,a. pocket after the other.
"Well, wish you'd have your think
in fits in the barn or somewheres else
next time. l put this shirt on clean
this mornin' and now look at it,"
His friend was too busy to pay any
attention to this advice. The pocket
search apparently being unsatisfactory,
he rose from the table and hurriedly
made O round of the room, looking on
the mantelpiece and under chairs.
II had it when come-in," he solilo-
quized. II know l did, cause I was
wearin' it when l went out to see to
the hens. l don't see where
"If it's your hat you're looking for"
obser, ed Josiah, II saw Mrs. Snow
hang it up on the nail behind the door.
There 1t Is now"
The reply to this was merely
grunt, which may or may not have ex-
pressed approval. At any rate, the
hat was apparently the object Of his
search, for he took 1t from the nail,
looked inside, and with sigh Of relief
took out q crumpled envelope.
II knew l put it somewheres," he
said. Its letter for you, Elsie. Jo-
siah, here. he brought 1t down from the
postofilce when he come from school
this afternoon. I meant to give 1t to
you afOre."
Captain Fri. who sat next to the
young lady. noticed that the envelope
was addressed in an irregular, sprawl
ing hand to Miss Elizabeth Preston,
Ornam. Mass" Elsie looked 1t over in
tlo obcnut way I'm which 90 MANY of