Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-11-28

the painted reply. "She's all ablaze
and a rope would burn through in a
minute II you tied 1t anywheres."
"Git some grapples and anchors out
Of Rogers shop. He's got a whole lot
of 'em. Keep on with the water
business. I'll git the other stuff"
He descended the ladder and ex-
plained his idea to the crowd below.
There was a great shout and twenty
men and boys started on run after
ropes, while as many more stormed at
The door of Nathaniel Rogers black
smith shop. Rogers was the local
,ealer in anchors and other marine
ronwork. The door of the shop was
locked, but he produced the. key and
,nlocked the door. In another min
tie the greater portion Of The IRON
york in the establishment was on Its
ray to the fire.
The rope seekers were just returning,
lden with everything from clothes
lines to cables. Half dozen boat
anchors and grapncl were fastened
to us many ropes, and the crowd
pranced gayly about the burning ell,
looking for Il chance to make them fast.
Captain Fri found party with axes
endeavorig to cut hole through the
side of the saloon In order to get out
the pool table. After some endeavor
he persuaded them to desist and they
came around to the rear and, taking
turns, ran in close to the shed and
chopped at it until the fire drove them
away. At last they made a hole close
to where 1t joined the main building,
large enough to attach the grapnel.
Then with "YO heave hO!' every one
took hold Of the rope and pulled. or
course the grapnel pulled out with only
board or two, but they tried again,
and, this time getting it around
beam, pulled large portion Of the
shed to the ground.
Meanwhile another AK party had at
tached an anchor to the opposite side
and were making good progress. In
due time the shed yawned away from
the saloon, tottered and collapsed in
shower Of sparks. A deluge Of water
soon extinguished these. Then every
one turned to the main building, and
as the fire had not yet taken firm
hold of this they soon had 1t under con-
troll.
Captain Fri worked with the rest
until he saw that the worst was over.
Then he began the search that had
been In his mind since he first saw the
blaze. He found Captain Jerry and
Captain Perez perspiringly passing
buckets of water from hand to hand In
the line, and, calling them to one side,
asked anXiously:
Have either Of you fellers seen John
Baxter tonight?"
Captain Perez looked surprised, and
then some of the trouble discernible In
Eri's face was apparent in his own.
why, no." he replied slowly, IL
amt seen him, now you speak of it.
Everybody in towns here too. Queer,
amt it,"
Haven't you seen him, either. Jer.
ry?"
Captain Jerry answered with a
shake Of the head. But then" he
said, "Perez and me have been right
here by the pump ever sence we come.
He might be most anywheres else and
we wouldn't see him. Want me to ask
some Of the other fellers"
"Now exclaimed his friend, almost
hercely. Don't you mention his name
to soul. nor let 'em know you've
thought Of him. II anybody should
ask, tell 'em you guess he's right
around somewheres. You two git to
work ag'in. I'll let you know II l
want you"
The pair took up their buckets, and
the captain walked on from group to
group, looking carefully at each person.
The Rev. Mr.. Perley and some Of his
flock were standing by themselves on
neighboring stoop, and to them the
searcher turned eagerly.
There was the most likely place, and
John Baxter was not there. Certainly
every citizen in Orham who was able
to crawl would be out this night, and
IL the old Puritan hermit Of the big
house was not present to exult over the
downfall of the wicked 1t would be be.
cause he was Ill or because The
captain didn't like to think Of the other
reason.
Mrs. Web Saunders, quietly weeping,
was seated OH knoll near the pump.
Three of the Saunders hOpefuls, also
weeping. but not quietly, were seated
beside her. Another, the youngest OF
the family, was being rocked soothing
ly in the arms Of Il stout female, who
was singing to it rs placidly as though
fires We're an every day or night oc-
currence. The captain peered down.
and the stout woman looked UP.
why, Mrs. snowr' exclaimed Cap
tain Fri.
The lady from Nantucket made no
immediate reply. She rose, however,
shook down the black alpaca skirt
which had been folded up to keep 1t
out of the dew, and, still humming
softly to the child, walked Off II little
way, mOtioning with her head for the
captain to follow. When she had
reached spot sufficiently remote from
Mrs. Saunders, she whispered:
How dye do. Cap'n Hedge? l
guess the wust is over now, isn't 1t? l
saw Won wOrkin' with them ropes.