Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-10-23


WI Point there was begun for
@@ Barnacles the most surprising
lS&zNY period Of a more or less USE
full career which had been filed with
unusual equine activities. For Barna-
cles was horse, a white horse Of un-
guessed breed and uncertain age.
Most likely it was not, but 1t may
have been, Barnacles' first Intimate
connection with an affair of the heart.
Said affair was between Captain Bas-
tabol Bean, owner and occupant Of
Sculpln Point. and Mrs. Stashia Buck.
EFT, the unlamenting relict Of the late
Hosea Bucket.
Mrs. Buckett 1t was who induced
Captain Bastabol Bean to purchase
horse. Captain Bean, you will under.
stand. had just won the affections OF
the plump Mrs. Buckett. Also he had,
with a sailors ignorance Of feminine
ways, presumed to settle offhand the
details of the coming nuptials.
"I'll sail over in the dOry Monday
afternoon" said he, "and take you
back to Sculpin Point. You can have
your dunnage sent over later by team.
In the evenin' we'll have a shore chap
lain come round an make the splice"
Captain Beam" replied the rotund
Stashia, i've won't do any Of them
things, not one."
"Wha-a-atr' gasped the captain.
"Have you ever been married, Cap'n
BEAM
"N-n.no, my dear"
"Well, l have, and I guess l know
how 1t ought to be done. You'll have
the minister come here, and here you'll
come to marry me. You won't come
in no dory either. Catch me putin my
23O pounds into little boat like that.
You'll drive over here with a horse,
like q respectable person. and you'll
drive back with me, by land and past
Sarepta fuckers house SOS she can
see"
Now, for more than thirty years Bas'
tabol Bean. as master OF coastinS
schooners up and down the Atlantic
seaboard, had given orders. He had
taken none, except the formal direc-
tions of owners. He did not propose
to begin taking them now, not even
from such an altogether charming per-
son US Stashia Bucket. This much he
said. Then he added:
"Stashia, give In about co;ling here
to marry you: that seems no more Gian
fair. But I'll come in Il dOry and you u
20 back In dOry."
"Then you needn't come ut all. Cap'n
Bastabol Bean
Argue and plead as he might. this
was her ultimatum.
But. Stashia. I Amt got horse.
never owned one m never handled
one. and you know IT," urged tile cap
tain.
Then It's high time you had horse
and knew how To drive him. Besides,
IL 20 10 Sculpin Point ] shall want to
come 10 the village once In awhile. !
shan't sail and I shan't walk. II ]
can't ride like u lady ] don't 20 to the
Point"
The inevitable happened. Captain
Bean promised TO buy horse next
day: hence his visit 10 Jed Holden anu
his introduction to Barnacles. as the
CAPTAIN Immediately named him.
As one who inspects an unfamiliar
object Captain Bean looked dazedly ut
Barnacles. At the same time Barna-
cles inspected the captain. With head
lowered to knee level, with ears cooked
forward. nostrils shifting and under
LID twitching almost as II he meant TO
laugh. Barnacles eyed Ills prospective
owner. In common with most lntelii-
gent horses. he had IN almost human
way Of expressing curiosity.
Captain Bean squirmed under the
Gaze OF Barnacles' big, calm eyes for
a moment and then shifted his position.
what In time does he want anyway.
Jed?' demanded the captain.
wants to git acquainted; that's all,
cap'n. Mighty KNOWN hoss. he Is.
Now, some hosses don't take notice OF
anything. They're jest naturally dumb.
Then ag'in you'll find hosses that seem
to know every blamed word you say.
Them's the kind of hosses that's wuth
havIn'."
"S'pose he knows all the ropes, jed"
81 should say he did, cap'n. If there's
anything that boss amt done In his
day don't know what tits. Near's
can find out. he's tried every kind OF
work. in or out of traces. that you
could think Of"
"Sho! The captain was now look
Ing at the old white horse In m inter.
esting manner.
"Yes, sir, that's remarkable boss.
continued the now enthusiastic MI.
Holden. Hes been In the cavalry
service. for he knows the bugle calls
like a book. He's Travelled with a cir
Gus. Amt 10 more afraid Of elephants
than be. He's run OH fire engine.
Know that cause he wants to chase
old Reliance every time she turns out
He's been a street car boss too. You
Jest ring door gong behind him twice
an see how quick he'll dis in his toes.
The feller got him Olf'n said he knew