Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-04-03

AIter I'LL, SdIu Tue FOlct, Wlm
ripple of laughter-"a all, weren't
you O little hard on that poor Mr..
GrayT"
Tom did not understand, but he knew
&he voice. 1t was that Of Crailey Gray.
He heard the same voice again that
night and again stood unseen. Long
after midnight lie was still tramping
the streets on his lonely rounds when
he CHANGED to pass the Rouen House,
which hostelry bore to the uninitiated
eye the appearance Of having closed
its doors upon all hospitalities for the
night In strict compliance with the law
Of the. city fathers, yet slender wand
Of bright light might be discovered un-
derneath the street door of the bar
room.
From within the merry retreat issued
an uproar II shouting, raucous laugh
ter and the pounding Of glasses on Ia
bles, heralding all too plainly the hy-
pocrisy Of the landlord and possibly
that of the city fathers also. Tom
knew what company was gathered
there-gamblers, truckmen, drunken
farmers. men from the river steamers
making riot while their boats lay ut
the wharf, with motley gathering Of
good-for- -nothings Of the back alleys
and tippling clerks from the Main
street stores. There came loud cries
for song, and in answer the voice of
Crailey rose over the general din, some
what hoar:c and never so musical when
he sang as when lie spoke, yet so touch
ing In its dramatic tenderness that soon
the noise fell away, and the rolstercrs
sat quietly to listen. 1t was not the
first time Ben Jonson's song had stl.led
a disreputable company:
"I sent thee late n rosy wreath,
Not so rauch honorlIg tl.,c
AS giving II the hope that there
1t might not witncred be-
Perhaps just then Nanrevel would
have wished to be-; Il. ii a.n., any
thing in tile world rathcr ,iian tiidt, Tor
on Crailay's lip; it clrrIel too much
meaning tonight. after the voice in
the garden. And Tom fingered no
more near the betr.:ying silver Of light
beneath til, door tLan l. Lad b.; the
gap in the hedge. but went steadily on
his way.
Not far from tie hotel he pissed Il
small building bright lighted and
echoing with unusual claEors OF indus
try-the OF &c # The Ro"en Journal.
The press was going. ana Mr.. Cum-
mings' thin figure crossed and re-
crossed the windows, while h.s voice
could be heard energeticaily bidding
his assistants to Look alive" so that
Tom imagined that something might
have happened between The Nuece'
river and the Rio Grande. but he did
not stop to ask The journalist. for lie
desired to behold the face If non" Of
his friends until he had fought out
some things within himself. 50 he
strobe on toward nowhere.
Day was breaking when Mr.. Gray
climbed the stairs to his room. There
were two flights, the ascent of tie first
Of which occupied about half an hour
Of Crailey's Invaluable time, and the
second might have taken more of it or
possibly consumed the greater part or
the morning had lie received Lo assist
ance; but, as he reclincd to melitate
upon the first landing, another man en-
tered the hallway from without. as
cended quickly. and Crailcy becImc
pleasantly conscious that two strong
hands had lifted him to his feet and
presently that he was being borne aloft
uDon the newcomers back. II seemed
quite journey, yet the motion was
soothing, so he made no effort To open
his eyes until he found himself gently
deposited upon the couch in his own
chamber, when he smiled amiably and,
looking up, discovered his partner
standing over him.
Tom was very pale. and there were
deep violet scrawls beneath his eyes.
For once in his life he had come home
later than Crailey
First time. you know" said Crailey,
with difficulty. You'll admit first time
completely incapable? Often needed
guiding hand, but never-quite-be
FORE"
YES" said Tom quietly, 1T is the
first time | ever saw You quite fin
iShed."
Think | must be growing old. and
constitution refuses bear it. Disgrace
full to be seen in condition, yet ceiebra'
ton justified. H'rah for the news.
He waved his hand wildly. "Old red.
white and blue! American eagle now
kindly proceed to scream! Star span
gled banner intends streaming to all
the trade winds. Sea to sea. Glorious
victories Oh political thieving exhibit
tion-no, expedition! Everybody not
responsible for the trouble to 90 and
get himself patriotically killed.!
What do you mean?'
Water said the other feebly. Tom
brought the pitcher, and Crailey, set
ting his hot lips to 1t. drank long and
deeply; then, with his friends assist
ance, he tied heavily moistened towel
round his head. "All right very soon
and sober again." he muttered and lay
back upon the pillow with eyes tightly
closed In an intense effort to concen-
trate his will When he opened them
again, four or FIVE minutes later, they
had marvelously cleared and his look
was self contained and sane.
Haven't you heard the news" He
spoke much more easily now. 1T came
ut midnight to the Journal"
mo; I've been walking in the coun'
try"
1.-THE MeXicans crossed the Rio
Grande OH the Goth Of last month, cap
tured Captain Thornton and murdered
Colonel Crook. That means war is GER
tain"
1T has been certain for long time,"
said Tom. POLK has forced it from
the first"
"Then it's a pity he can't be the only
nan to die"
"Have they called for volunteers"
asked Tom, going toward the door.
mo, but II the news is true they
will"
"Yes," said Tom, and as he reached
the hallway he paused. "Can ! help
YOU to undressW