Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-29

powers as represented by 'Smythe and
had walked proudly, erectly from the
room at the close of the conference.
Jameson! If it had been any one but
that conceited upstart, who had been
forbidden his house! 1t was well that
1.-The rising young politician" as the
Chadron Buglc called him. had not been
ut the conference.
Hello, Mr.. Grimesw
The dethroned autocrat jerked his
horse to a standstill. A bent figure
sidled up to the buggy. 1t was only
Pap" Burns, but he had vote, and
from habit Grimes forced genial
greeting.
you don't mind givin' me lift the
rest Nv the way, do you? Thanks! 1t
Is warm, an them circus tents is the
bakin'est places. I seen your Jimmy
there. 1t was blamed poor show,
but he seemed to find the lemonade
an peanuts to his likin'. Circuses amt
what they was when you an me was
boys, Dave. Now, when"-
The garrulous old chap chartered on,
but Grimes was not listening. He
made rapid calculation. Jimmy had
spent not less than IS cents-wasted
money. Mandy might not realize the
gravity of his own political downfall,
but she should be made to understand
the terrible extravaganza Of which she
had been guilty. But where had she
got-the money? She had accounted
for every cent he had given her in
years. II she had sold some Of those
Leghorns TO send Jimmy to the circus
His face turned purple, and he gave his
horse n vicious cut. Wasn't 1t enough
to watch his political balloon pricked
by man with pull without coming
home to rebellion in his own house
hold? The memory Of how Etiie had
quietly ignored his expressed wish the
night before rose afresh.
lie pulled UP before the harrow rath
leaLin. to his front door and. knot;ing
the rcins about the whip socket, called
grimly for Jimmy. There was no re-
sponse, but he caught sight Of
strange face in the kitchen doorway.
1t was Poorhouse Jenny. In one hand
she held Il dish towel; from the other
she munchcd Il thick slice of cake. AS
he strobe up the walk his feet ground
flower petals and rice into the gravel.
These he did not notice, for suddenly
Mandy appeared ut the door. She wore
a new dress. There was a pretty col
or in her cheeks, sparkle in the eyes
that yesterday seemed faded. She was
frail and slender, and the stalwart,
frowning man could have crushed her
aside without an effort, yet somehow
she seemed to bar his entrance. He
paused before her with an imprecation.
"Wherc's that boy, and what's Poor
house Jenny eating the cake paid for
as free as if it was black bread?"
The figure in the doorway trembled
slightly, then seemed to turn rigid.
IL paid for that cake, David, out OF
my savin's. An it's Eltic'S weddin'
cake. She's gone. She left goodby for
you, but she didn't want no scene on
her weddin' day. It's been scenes ev-
cry meal we've set down to in years,
an she's tired of bein' hectored to
death. l don't know rs | blame her
for wantin' to get away from such
life. I'm goin' over to Chadron next
week when they come back from Oma-
~ an help them furnish their house.
Edward said should"
Mandy smiled reminiscently. She
should certainly buy red plush sofa
for Etfie's parlor if there was one In
town. Then she looked back ut her
husband. His hand grasped the porch
post and his face was distorted with
rage.
Dye mean to say she married that
Jameson? And you helped her TO
sneak out of her fathers house like
like
That's just what she didn't do, Da-
vid She was married right here III
her mothers parlor an with some OF
her old friends for witnesses, an we
had a dinner. There aln't no Use for
YOU TO swear an carry on. David.
am her mother, an l ought to have
some say. I'm goin' to have some say.
too. about the house. I've Helped you
pay for 1t an everything that's in 1t,
an the law gives me Il share OF II.
You told me yesterday | wasn't mtch
on appearances. but that's your fauit.
No one that's lived the shut IN llfe
have would be. I'm goin' to live like
other women do, an I'm goin over to
Edwards an Etiie's every month. Ed
ward, he said
The name was as a red rag to a bull.
David Grimes smote the piazza railing
with his fist.
"D'ye know that smooth faced, lying
Young rascal has got the promise or
the nomination to congress. which was
mine by rights? He's beaten me, beat
on the father Of his wife, and stole MS
wife in the bargain. Hes
Mandy Grimes drew herself up. and
more than ever the doorway seemed
barred.
"Well, all I've got to say Is that I'm
glad the nominations been kept in the
family. An as for the rest. l don't
want any scene made here. There's
been scandal enough about the way
YOU treat your family without your
shoutin' 80 the whole neighborhood can
hear you. II you was half as proud OF
your folks an treated them half as de-
cent as you do your voters we wouidh
be the talk Of Jepson Center. I'm
plumb sick Of bein' spoke OF as poor
Mandy Crimes Now, II you have any
swearin' to do you march out to the
barn an do 1t. I've got to help Jenny
clear up the weddin' dishes. Your sup
per III be ready in ten minutes"
She turned abruptly and walked into
the parlor. Her husband stood trans
fixed as she disappeared; then his grip
OH the porch rail gradually loosened'
His expression changed from fury to
amazemeut. to incredulity and finally
TO thoughtfulness. Without word he
turned on his heel, walked down to the
gate and led his horse round to the sta
BILE. Poorhouse Jenny, picking chick
ell bone, watched him curiously from
tho nsntrv window. But Mandy, alone
In the dim, disortlered parlor, clasped
and unclasped her hands nervously.
81 declare I don't know how l ever
did it. l amt quite sure whether 1t