Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-12-26

Cant / read that book, Uncle PerezT
"Tm going out for little while"
she said. "No, don't want any one to
20 with me. I'll be back soon."
Her back was turned to the three
captains as she spoke, but, as she
opened the door, the lamplight shone
for an instant on her face, and Captain
Fri noticed, or fancied that he did, that
she was paler than usual. He rose
and again offered to accompany her,
but met with such firm refusal that
he could not insist further.
"Now, that's kind Of funny, amt it,
remarked Perez. II don't believe she's
been out alone afore after dark sence
she's been here"
where did you git that letter. Jo-
siah 2" asked Captain Erl.
1t may as well be explained here
that Captain Perez's granddaughter was
a thorn in the flesh Of every one. In
cluding his indulgent relative. He was
little afraid of Mrs. Snow, and
obeyed her better than he did any one
else, but that Is not saying u great
deal. He was In mischief IN school
twO-thirds Of the time, and his reports,
made out by the teacher, were anything
but complimentary. He was a good
looking boy, the image Of his mother,
who had been her uncle's favOrlte, and
he was popular with a certain class OF
youngsters. Also, and this was worse,
his work at the livery stable had
thrown him In contact with a crowd
of men like Squealer WixOn, Web
Saunders and others Of their class, and
they appreciated his New York street
training and made much Of him. Cap
tain Perez, mindful Of his promise to
the boys mother, did not use the nee
essary measures to control him, and
Captain Fri and Captain Jerry did not
like to interfere.
Just now he was seated In the corner,
and he looked up with a start. hur-
riedly folded up the tattered paper
book he was reading, stuffed 1t into his
pocket and said, what"
"Who give you that letter that come
for Elsie?'
Miss Cahoon, up at the office. 1t was
In our box" said the boy.
"Humph! What are you readin'
that's so interestin'?"
"Oh, nothln'. A book, that's all.
"Let me look at it."
Josiah hesitated, looked as though he
would like to refuse, and then sullenly
took the ragged volume from his pock'
ct and handed it to the captain, who
deliberately unfolded it and looked at
the cover.
"'Fightin' Fred Starlight, the Boy
Rover of the Paclfic,'" he read aloud.
"Humph! Is 1t goOd?'
"Bet your life! It's redhot story"
II want to know! Who was Mr..
Moonshine - what's his name - Star
light"
HE was a sailor" was the sulky an
swer. Josiah was no fool, and knew
when he was being made fun of.
The captain opened the book and
read q page or two to himself. Then
he said: II see he knocked the skipper
down cause he insulted him. Nice,
spunky chap. I'd like to have had him
aboard vessel Of mine. And he called
the old man a 'caitiff hound? Awful
thing to call feller, that Is. I'll bet
that skipper felt ashamed. Looks like
a good book. I'll borrow 1t tonight to
read while you're doin' your lessons"
II amt got any lessons to do"
"Oh, amt you? I thought that was
a 'rithmetic over there"
"Well, know 'em now. Besides,
you amt got any right to order me
around. You amt my uncle. Can't ]
read that book. Uncle Perez"
Poor Perez! He hesitated, swallowed
once or twice and answered: "You can
read It after you've studied a spell.
You'll let him have 1t then, won't you,
Fri? Now study, like good boy"
Captain Fri looked as II he would
like to say something further, but he
evidently thought better Of 1t, and
tossed the paper novel across to Cap
tain Perez, who put 1t ON the table,
saying, rather feebly:
There now, It's right there, where
you can have It soon's you've rarned
your examples. Now pitch in, SOS the
teacher can see how smart you are"
His nephew grumblingly got his pa
per and pencil, took the arithmetic
and went to work. No one spoke FOR
awhile, Captain Perez twirling his
thumbs and looking, as he felt uncom-
Portable. Soon Josiah, announcing that
his studies were completed, grabbed
the novel from the table, took a lamp
from the kitchen and went of to bed.
When he had gone Captain Jerry said.
"Perez, you're sp'Rin' that boy"
81 s'pose l am, s'pose l am, but
can't bear to be cross to him. somehow.
Poor Lizzie, she made me promise
wouldn't be, and Jest can't, that's all.
You understand how tits. don't you.
Fri"
The captain nodded. Il understand"
he said. "Tm sorry said anything. ]
hadn't ought to be givin' orders bout
what's none Of my affairs. What time
70 1t gittin' to beY
Captain Jerry announced that 1t was
bedtime, and that he was going to
turn In. Perez, still looking worried
and anxious. said that he also was 60
Ing to bed. Captain Eri thought that
be would sit up for awhile.
Another hour and still another went
hy. and the captain sat there In his