Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-12-29

this man not gentleman just because
some strange circumstances had forced
him to travel in the steerage! I did
wish that, without his knowing It,
could have slipped into his pocket my
f3O.
"Oh, did nothing" l answered. ut
was the other people who did every.
thlng-the little that was done. It's
1 who have to thank you for taking
that person away. He and the other
who came just before were so rude"
"They didn't mean to be rude" he
said. "They wanted you to tell them
something which they could put into
their papers, and they live by doing
that kind Of thing. l did the best l
could with them, but l wish / could
have saved you from being annoyed
in the beginning. l hesitated at first
for fear you might misunderstood and
think me as bad as they were, but !
wish / hadn't now"
"After what saw you do at sea l
couldn't possibly have misunderstood"
said.
"Thank you for saying that" he re-
turned, though for what / did then
1 don't deserve any praise. 1t was
done on the impulse, and I'm used to
salt water. AS child lived close
to it for a time in California and swim
ming came almost as natural as walk
ing. But I'm not here to talk about
myself. 1t was only to tell you how
grateful / was and am and shall con.
tinue to be for your kindness on the
ship. couldn't go without speaking
of this, and there's something now I'd
like to ask. You won't be offended"
"If it's something You want to tell
me, l know 1t isn't the sort Of thing
which could Offend" | said, but I
didn't say 1t as calmly as 1t looks
when written. stammered a little
and got the words tangled up, and l
felt my face growing hotter than ever
81 thank you again. It's only this.
If, while you're over on this side the
water, there's ever any way in which
a mana man who'd be as respectful
as your footman, and loyal as your
friend-could possibly serve you,
wish you would let me be that man.
know it seems now as II such thing
couldn't happen, but nothings quite
impossible in this queer world, and
and anyhow / shall always be ready.
You could trust me-
81 know that" couldn't resist
breaking In.
T'm-employed for the present at
club in New York. II you'd send word
to Jim Brett at the Manhattan club,
there's nothing under the sun that Jim
Brett wouldn't do for you, from find
ing a lost dog to taking message
across the world"
First must catch my dog before l
can lose him." answered. laughing.
"But IL do, or-or there's anything
else, shan't forget"
"That's true promise, then, and
have to thank you for the third time.
Now, Pm not going to trouble you any
longer. Goodby."
Without stopping to think who he
was, or who was. held out my
hand, and his good looking brown face
grew red. He took the hand, pressed
1t hard once, dropped 1t abruptly,
turned on his heel and walked away
without looking back.
was so interested in going over the
conversation h my mind that ! forgot
to feel like Beau Brummel with one
paw up in his glass case. and though |
dare say ten minutes had passed. 1t
hardly seemed two, when wonderful
little black image in the shape Of boy
came Siding up to me, all rolling white
eyes and red grin, like nice New
foundland puppy. He had some news.
papers tucked under his arm. but In
his hand was small basket OF
peaches almost too beautiful to be real.
But then, weren't they-and wasn't he
part Of my dream?
He grinned so much more that was
afraid his round black face would
break into two separate halves, and
looking ut me with his woolly head Oh
one side, he thrust out the basket.
"Fur you, Missy" said he, with
funny little accent. for all the world
like Sally Woodburn's.
"They can't be for me. There must
be mistake" said l, wishing there
wasn't. for the peaches did look de.
licious, and there were two rosebuds
lying on top Of the basket, one pink,
the other white. 81 don't know any
one who could have sent them"
"The gent knows you. you bet,
Missy" replied the image. HE guy
me quarter and axed IL l know'd my
alphabet 'nuf to find letter b an tote
desc yere to the prettiest young lady
I'd ever seed. Most wife ladies dey
looks all jes' alike to me, but you's
different, missy, an reckon de tings
must be fur vou."