Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-07-25

he brought him to this strange place,
he let him loose in the streets. Then
he come to me, says he: I've took your
babytied dog. I've freed him in for
eign place, where. he'll get Il foreign
welcome. Most likely he's inching
along TO death of starvation and being
bit to pieces by native dogs.
"Oh," said Mrs. limbs, with sud-
den indrawing Of her breath.
Thaddy stamped OIL the ash heap.
"I'd have killed that man."
The old captain looked earnestly at
him. That's the way | felt, boy. l
raised my arm. couldn't have down.
ed him, for he is young, and l am old,
but I'd have tried. Howsomever, some
thing come over me, ma'am." he said,
again turning to Mrs. limbs. "Did ye
ever get aggravated and aggravated
till We felt as if there was seventy
devils inside Of We, and just ut the mo-
ment We thought they'd have to break
loose something come over ye-an aw-
full calm, a kind Of way up in the SKY
feeling. as II something said to ye,
Poor soul, ye've hated all We can; now
give 1t up!"
The woman's thin face flushed. "Yes,
yes," she murmured; "Ive felt that
way against the men who ruined my
husband and broke his health. i've
suffered till thought my heart would
break; then gave 1t up"
"And so did l." said Captain slocum
heartily. "The Lord sent u holy har-
poon into my wicked heart. My arm
fell to my side. Look here, Dolsen,'
| said to my enemy. we've afflicted
me sore, but forgive ye. I'm an old
man, and ye've taken my only COM
fort from me, but maybe l was making
an idol of a common clay dog.
"And what did he say?" asked Thad-
DIV eagerly when the old man paused.
"He never said word. He SUNK
away like fox. But next day he
come back. Says he: 'Slocum, you
made fool of yourself over that dog,
but he's pretty tough. Maybe he's out
lasted the winter. Step aboard my
schooner, and I'll take ye to the place
where let him loose So l come. and
the Lord led ME to my dog"
"And now I've got to give him up!'
cried Thaddy, with a wall of dismay.
But, dear me-" and he turned to his
stepmother, 81 feel so bad that for
got you don't know. found this dog
on the street ever so long ago, and
I've had him out here, and felt so
sneaky to deceive you, but didn't
want you to take your food to give
him, the way you did. the hen and the
cat. You'll forgive me, won't you!
"Yes, l forgive you," said the wom-
an in a peculiar voice.
The boy, STOPPING over to caress the
dog. was unconscious OF her change
of tone. Captain Slocum was not. de
gave her sharp look and for second
time noted her painful thinness. the
weary droop Of her shoulders.
I'm keeping you out here" he said
quickly. "That's your home, amt itT'
Yes" said Thaddy, THAT'S our house,
and il we go in you'll take the dog
away. Oh, Kooje, Kooie, or Alpatok,
or whatever your name is. don't want
to give you up"
"Who are you!" asked the old man
shortly.
The lad stopped petting the dog and
stood up. "My name Is Thaddeus
limbs, SIR"
what you do!"
go to school," said Thaddy proudly.
want 10 get an education"
YES, sir. just do"
That's right. I'd have got on better
IL I'd had one This your sister" And
he again turned his keen eyes on Thad'
dy's stepinother.
NO. sir; my fathers second wife.
He's dead"
"Indeed!' said the old man, and his
gaze went again to the tiny cottage
"Have hard time to get along?
Mrs. Timbs drew herself up stiifiy,
but Thaddy smiled charming. boyish
smile. "Yes, sir: in winter. Not so bad
In summer when I'm earning wages
running errands."
How long have you had this dog?"
"a month last Thursday" said Mrs.
limbs quietly.
"Step-maw exclaimed Thaddy. and
his astonishment was pltiable to see.
There was 4 mystery here that Cap
tain SlOcum was anxious to clear up.
my dogs grandfather was wolf"
he said, land Alpatok has VOLTS ap-
petite. Who's been feeding him"
"She has" cried Thaddy, wildly
pointing an accusing finger ut his STEP
mother. "Oh, step-ma, step-ma, you
had so little to give away"
who did you think fed him" asked
the captain.
IL thought he picked up stuff on
the dumps and about the streets. sir."
said Thaddy in choking voice. "She's
crept out and fed him to save my VIC
tuals. Just see how thin she is," and
lie stared in sorrowful distress ut his
slender young stepmOtbcr.
"Thaddy," she said, there's prov
erb about low down persons that clean
their soiled linen before strangers"
"F-forgivc me. step-n!a, atittered