Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-11-07
NUMBER As.
Mr.. Hazeitine, much amused, denied

thC SuPtoihs my bO"
Perez's niece's husband died, and the
boy sort Of run loose, Us you might say.
Went to school when he had to and
raised Ned when he didn't, near's ! can
find out. 'Lizabeth, that's his ma, died
last spring, and she made Perez prom
ise-he being the only relation the
youngster had-to fetch the boy down
here and sort of bring him up. Perez
knows as much about bringin' up a
boy as hen does about the Ten Com
mandments, and 'Lizabeth made him
promise not to lick the yOungster and
Il whole lot more foolishness. School
don't commence here till October, so
we got him job with Lem Mullett ut
the liv'ry stable. He's boardin' with
Lem till school opens. He amt reel
bad boy, but lie knows too much bout
some things and not ha'f enough bout
others. You've seen fellers like that,
maybe"
Hazeltine nodded. There are good
many of that kind in New York, I'm
afraid" he said.
Captain Fri smiled. II shouldn't
wonder" he observed. 1.-The boys down
here think Josiah's the whole crew, and
the girls amt fur behind. There's been
more deviltry in this village sence he
landed than there ever was afore. He
needs somethin, and needs 1t bad, but
1 amt decided jest what it is yit. Are
you married man."
NO"
"Same here. Never had tie disease.
Perez. he's had symptoms every once
in awhile, but noth.n' lastin'. Jerry's
the only one OF Us three that's been
through the mill. His wife died
twenty year ago. | don't know as
told you, but Jerry and Perez and me
are keepin' house down by the shore
that is, we call it keepin' house, but
Here the captain broke off and
seemed to mediate.
Ralph HaZeltine forbore to interrupt,
and occupied himself by scrutinizing
the building that they were passing.
They were nearing the center OF the
town now, and the houses were closer
together than they had been on the
"depot road" but never so close as to
be in the least crowded. There was an
occasional shop, too. with signs like
"Cape Cod Variety Store or The
Boston Dry Goods Emporium" over
their doors. On the platform Of one
small crowd was gathered, and from
the interior came shouts Of laughter
and the sound Of tin-panny piano.
That's the billiard saloon." volun-
teered Captain Fri, suddenly waking
from his trance. PLAY pool, Mr.. Ha-
Zeltine!'
Sometimes"
What dye play 1t WITH"
"Why. with Il cue. generally speak
ing"
That so. Most Of the fellers in there
play it with their mouths. Miss shot
and then spend the rest OF tie evcnin'
tellin' how it happened. Parker played
it cons s.derable."
II judge that your opinion OF my
predecessor isn't high one
Who: Oh, Parker. He was all
right in his way. Good many folks
in this town swore by him. under
stand the fellers over ut the station
thought he was about the ticket
MIR. Langley included"
20 I Lnit,'
had his own ideas, | s'pose. Langley
don't play pool much, not at Web
Saunders place anyhow. We turn in
here"
They rolled up long driveway, very
dark and overgrown with trees, and
drew up at the back door Of good
sized two story house. There was a
light in the kitchen Windows
Whoa. Dan'l" commanded the cap
tain. Then he began TO shout ship
ahoy" at the top Of his lungs.
The kitchen door opened and man
came ont carrying n lamp. It's light
shining full upon his face. 1t was an
old face. stern face. with white eye
brows and thin Tipped mouth. There
w,.s. however. tremble about the
TIN that told OF iniirm health.
Hello. John" said Captain Eri
heartily. John. let me nHie You ac'
luainted with Mr.. IiaZeltine. the new
man at the cable station. Mr. Hazel
tine. this is my friend. Cap'n John
Baxter"
The two shook hands, ana then Cap
tain Fri said:
John. ] brought down them barrels
for you. Hawkins got 'cm here. same
as he always does, by the skin OF his
teeth. Stand by now. cause I've got
to deliver Mr.. II"""ltine ut the STA
ton. and it's gittin' late
John Baxter said nothing beyond
thanking his friend for the good turn
but he stood by" as directed. ana the
barrels were quickly unloadcd. AS
they were about to drive out OF the
yard Captain Fri turned in his seat
and said:
"John. guess I'll be up some time to-
morrow. | want to talk with you
about that billiard room business.
The lamp in Baxter's hand shook.
God A'mighty's got his eye on that
place, Fri Hedge" he shouted, "and
on them that's runnin' it,
That's all right" said the captain.
.sThcn the jobs in good hands. and we
amt got to worry. Good night.
But in spite of this assurance Hazel
fine noticed that his driver was silent
and preoccupied until they reached the
end of the road by the shore, when he
brought the willing Daniel to Il stand
still and announced that it was time 10
change cars
It is a fifteen minute row from the
mainland to the outer beach. and Cap
tain Fri made 1t on schedule time.
Hazeltine protested that he was used
to a boat and could go alone ana re-
turn the dory in the morning. but the
captain wouldn't hear Of it. The dory
slid ND Oh the sand, and the passenger
climbed out.
"There's the station" said the cap
tain pointing to row of lighted win
dows quarter of mile away. 1T Is
straight ahead this time, and the walk
ms better'n 1t has been for the last
few minutes. Good night.
The electrician put his hand In his
pocket, hesitated and then withdrew It.,
empty. -.
Pm very much obliged to you for all
At, " T., ,o;d "J,m Glad to have made