Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-12-05

got to be done. What do you think o.
her, jedgin' by what you've seen"
Captain Perez gave 1t as his opinion
that she was "all right" and added
"If Jerry here want SO pigheaded
| all at once he'd marry her without
| waitin' another minute"
Fri nodded. "That's my idee," h'
said emphatically.
But Captain Jerry was as obstinate
as ever. He simply would not consider
immediate marriage. In vain his com
rades reminded him Of the Origina
compact and the fact that the vote was
two to one against him. He announced
that he had changed his mind, and that
that was all there was about it.
"Tell you what we might do" said
Perez slowly. 1--WE might explain tc
her that Jerry don't feel that 'twould
be right to think Of marryin' with
Cap'n Baxter so sick In the house, and
that il she's willin' We'll put it off till
he dies or gifts better. Meantime well
pay her so much to stay here and
nuss. Seems to me that's about the
only way out Of it."
So they agreed to lay this proposal
before the Nantucket lady, Captain
Jerry reluctantly consenting. Then
Captain Err took up anoeher subject.
John Baxter, as has been said, had
one relative, a granddaughter, living
somewhere near Boston. Captain Erl
felt that this granddaughter should be
notified Of the old mans illness at
once. The difficulty was that none OF
them knew the young lady's address.
"Her fust names Elizabeth. same
as her mothers was" said Fri, land
her dads name was Preston. They
called her Elsie. John used to write
to her every once in awhile. P'raps
Sam would know where she lived"
"Jest cause Sans postmaster" OBJ.
served Perez, 1T don't foller that he
reads the name on every letter that
goes out and remembers 'em besides"
well, If he don't" said Captain
Jerry decidedly. "Mary Emma does
She reads everything, postals and all"
Miss Mary Emma Cahoon was the
assistant ut the postoffice and was pos,
sessed Of we'll developed curiosity
concerning other peoples correspond.
ence.
"Humph," exclaimed Captain Fri,
that's so! Well write the letter, and
I'll ask Mary Emma for the address
when 60 up to mail It."
So Captain Perez went upstairs to
take Mrs. Shows place as nurse while
that lady turned in" Captain Jerry
went into the kitchen to wash the
dishes, and Captain Fri sat down to
write the note that should inform
Elizabeth Preston Of her grandfather
illness. 1t was very short note and
merely stated the fact without further
information. Having had some ex,
perience In that line. the captain placed
very little reliance upon the help to
be expected from relatives.
DIR. Palmer had spread the news az
he went upon his round Of visits that
morning. and callers began to drop in
to inquire after the sick man.
Ralph Hazeltine came in a little lat
er and was introduced to Mrs. Snow,
that lady's nap having been but a
short one. Ralph was favOrably i'm
pressed with the capable appearance
of the new nurse and so expressed
himself to Captain Err US they walked
together toward the postoftice.
81 like her." he said emphatically
"She's quiet and sensible and cheerful
besides. She looks as II trouble didn't
trouble her very much"
Miss CahOon remembered the Pres
ton girls address. 1t was Cambridge
Kirkland street, but the number. she
did declare. had skipped her mind
The captain said he would chance II
without the number, so the letter was
posted. Then, with the electrician, he
strolled over to inspect the remains OF
the billiard saloon.
There was small crowd gathered
about the building. prominent among
its members being the train commit
tee," who were evidently holding q
special session on this momentous oc'
casion. The busy Squealcr, a tride
enlIvened by some of Mr.. Saunders
wet goods that had escaped the efforts
Of the volunteer salvage corps, hailed
the new arrivals as brother heroes.
"Web found out how the fire started
ylt?" inquired the captain, with ap.
parent unconcern.
mo, he hain't for sure. There was
lot of us thought old Baxter might
hive set It, but they tell me it couldn't
have been him, cause he was took
down runnin' to the fire. Web, he's
sort of changed his tune and don't
seem to think anybody set it; thinks II
catched itself"
Mr.. Saunders, his smooth self again
with all traces of mental disturbance
gone from his face and all rouShness
from his tongue, came briskly up
smiling as II the burning Of his place
of business was but trining incl
dent, a little annoying, of course, but
not worth fretting about. He thanked
the captain and HaZeltine etfusively
for their service of the previous night
and piled the weight Of his obligations
upon them until, as Captain Fri said
afterward," "the sirup fairly drlpped
off his chin" The captain broke N
upon the sugary flow as soon as ht
could.
"How d'you think it started, Web!
he asked.
"Well," replied Mr.. Saunders slow
ly, 81 kind Of carlate she started her
self. rhere was some Of the boys II
here most Of the evenin', and jest likes
not a cigar butt or a match or some
thin dropped somewheres and got I!
smolderin' and smoldered alOng til
bimeby-puffw An expressive wave
Of a fat hand finished the sentence.
"Humphw grunted the captain
Changed your mind sence last night
Seems to ME l heard you then swearln
you knew twas set and who set It."
"Well, ye-es. was considerable
shook up last night. and maybe l salt
things hadn't ought to. You sec
there's been q good deal Of hard feel