Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-11-21

dredge, was situated In q hollow close
to the house. In q few moments the
three were inside, with sawhorse
against the door.
They heard the rattle Of d heavy car.
riage. and, .crowding together at the
cobwebbed window, saw the black
shape Of the depot wagon rock past.
They waited, breathless, until they saw
1t go back again up the road.
"Did you lock the dinin' room door.
Perez?" asked Captain Err.
Course didn't. Why should II"
It was q rather senseless question.
Nobody locks doors in Orham except
at bedtime.
"Humphp' grunted Captain Eri.
She'll see the light In the dinin' room
and 90 inside and wait, mOre'n likely.
Well, there's nothln' for us to do but
to stay here for awhile, and then If
she amt gone one Of US II have to 60
up and tell her she won't suit and pay
her fare home, that's all. think Jerry
ought to be the one," he added mis-
chievously, "he bein' the bridegroom,
as you might say"
"Mew almost shouted the frantic
Captain Jerry. You 60 to grass! You
fellers got me into this scrape, and now
let's see you git me out of 1t. don't
stir one STEP"
They sat there in darkness, the ST.
lence unbroken, save for an occasional
chuckle from the provoking Fri. After
long while they heard some one whis-
tling. Perez went to the window to
take an observation.
Its man." he said disappointedly.
Hes been to our house too. My land,
l hope he didn't 60 in! It's that feller
Hazeltine; that's who 'tis."
"Is it| exclaimed Fri eagerly. That's
$50; so 'tis! Let's give him hail"
Before he could be stopped he had
pulled the sawhorse from the door, had
opened the latter little way and,
with his face ut the open, was Wills
tling shrilly.
1uc cleCllISluu iOOhGu w ohu WV
the dark road in puzzled sort Of way,
but evidently could not make up his
mind from what quarter the whistles
came.
Mr.. Hazeltinew hailed the captain
In what might be called whispered
yell or shouted whisper. Mr.. Hazel
tine! Here, ON your lee bow, in the
shanty."
The word "shanty" was the only part
of the speech that brought light to
Ralph's mind, but that was sufficient
He came down the hill, left the road
and plunged through the blackberry
vines to the door.
"WhO Is it," he asked. "Why, hello,
captain! What on earth
Captain Fri signaled him to silence,
and then, catching his arm, pulled him
into the shanty and shut the door.
Captain Jerry hastened to set the
sawhOrse in place again.
"Mr. Hazeltine," said Captain Fri,
"let me make you acquainted with
Cap'n Perez ana Capn jerry, snip
mates Of mine. You've heard me speak
Of 'em."
Ralph, In the darkness, shook two
Dig hands and heard whispered voices
express themselves as glad to know
him.
You see," continued Fri In some
what embarrassed fashion, were sort
of layin' to, as you might say. waitin'
to git our bearin's. We amt out OF
our heads. | tell you that cause ]
know that's what 1t looks like"
The bewiidered Hazeltine laughed
and said he was glad to hear 1t.
T-I-I don't know how to explain
it to you," the captain stumbled on
Fact is, guess l won't jest yit, II
you don't mind. 1t does sound SO
pesky riiic'lous, although 1t amt when
you understand it. What We want to
know is, have you been to our house
and is there anybody there"
"Why, yes. I've been there. rowed
oyor ond dronnad I'm for n minute aS