Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-02-25
Copyrighted. 1908. by Homer sprague


Miss Frazier looked at him haughti-
". In her code there was no place for
| bad grammar, and besides, as spin
ster Of spirit, his reproof grated on her.
women can't stay In and die OF
loneliness" she told him stifay.
The little man looked at her with
sympathetic gray eyes. Lonesome,
was ye?" he said. "Well, now, that's
| too bad"
His sympathy warmed the cookies OF
Miss Frazier's heart. 1t was 30 long
since any one had cared. The last of
her family, she had taught school in
big city until Ill health had forced her
| to resign. Then she had rented the lit
tie cottage at the questionable resort
and had prepared to live there for six
months. hoping for the benefits OF
fresh air and a free life. There had
been other cottagers near, but they
had their own interests, so that even
| in the warmer months Miss Frazier
| had been lonely, and now that snow
had come her situation seemed unbear-
able
There were tears in her eyes as she
| stood there, forlorn and cold in the
drift and the little man said again:
well, now, that's too bad. You'd bet
ter git into the house. You'll ketch
cold"
81 hate the house." said Miss Frazier
fiercely. There isn't soul there but
the pussy cat"
81 live up at the farm" he informed
her. I'm the new manager, and there
amt nobody there but a lot Of men
and q colored woman to cook for US
There's good deal Of work, you
| know"
Miss Frazier didn't know, but she
found herself listening eagerly to bis
talk of Guernsey cattle and Of blue
ribbon horses, with oil the rest Of the
homely farm details.
The little man helped her up the
path and landed her on her own door
step safely. In spite Of the biting air
he jerked his cap off as he babe her
| goodby.
"Come In" she urged. "Oh, please
come in. | don't think l can stand II
to face the pussy cat all alone"
His kindly blue eyes smiled at her.
I'D like to come" he said. "'Tain't
very soclable up at the farm"
The little room was cherries enough
Miss Frazier's ginger jars and Mexi
can hats had been artistic summer ac-
cessories, but in the gray light Of the
snowy day they merely served to en-
phasize the bleakness. In the stone
| fireplace was a bunch Of goldenrod
gone to seed. The only warmth came
feebly from rickety stove in the
| summer kitchen.
"Why ain't you got fire in the fire
place" the little man demanded as he
surveyed the cavernous structure.
81 haven't any wood" shivered Miss
Frazier. 81 couldn't get any,"
Perhaps he read In her hesitation a
confession of poverty, but he did not
ask any more questions.
"I'll be back In a minute" he said
presently and went out, and when he
returned he was bending Atlas-like TN.
der the weight Of great log that had
lain for days by the roadside.
"There," he said as he deposited II
in the fireplace, "If you will take out
them wild flowers We'll have fire."
Miss Frazier obeyed meekly.
How strong you are" she breathed
"Oh. law, yes" said the little man:
II kin lift most anything"
He made several grips after that.
finding enough dry wood In the shed to
start the fire, and soon 1t was roaring
gloriously.
The black cat came and curled III
on the hearth, looking at the flames
with fathomless eyes.
ooh, It's lovely, lovely" said Miss
Frazier. at is like something alive"
81 allus did like fire." said the III
tie man. 81 came from down south,
and we don't think much Of stoves
there Not fer bein' sociable You've
got to see the flames to be real friend
ly."
IL am going to make you Il cup Of
tea" Miss Frazier said futteringly.
-, :, IN IL was ready she brought It
D.. 81 il dainty tray, Ganked by half a
yen stale crackers. II wish | had
.no,hiny nicer to OFFER she said.
II i: is so hard to get things"
he little man smiled, and as he took
the details Of the poor room some
knowledge of her plight seemed to
come to him, and he found way to
help her.
81 bet you don't know what good
things you kin cook over fireplace"
he said eagerly.
II never heard Of such thing" she
said. What could l cookY
"Well, Brunswick stew is fine. It's
got squirrels aud corn and onions and
tomatoes. You JUS let me show YOU
"But can't get those things Her
face famed.
"Of course you can't "Tain't to be
expected that n woman kin kill II
squirrel But I'm goin' huntin' to-
morrow. and I'll bring the things
He left her later. and when he had
gone Miss Frazier stood for long
time looking into the glowing Goals
"Oh. pussy cat. pussy cat" she said
when ut last the two Of them were
curled up for the night. "he uses
dreadful grammar. but he is the kind
est man have ever known"
The little man came the next day
and made the stew. and all that after
noon the savory food simmered and
dubbed. and the black cat watched II
with eager eyes. Miss Frazier in her
best blue gown set the table for two.
flitting from one room to the other
with all the gayety Of II young girl.
The little mans table manners proved
80 h. ,r,oh h,tt,r ha hfo m mn