Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-07-27
By BOOTH
HARRINGTON
and
HARRY LEON
WILSON

required promise and the awe with
which he heard that the newest atom
of humanity to arrive was already
motherless, and then the picture faded
again. Then came succession Of sim
liar views.
He saw the dingy real estate Office
grow into respectable brick building,
and then into n handsome stone edifice,
and the heavy featured man turn
grayer and grayer and more somber
and more hardworking, and he could
remember the day when the tiny Ethel
was brought to the Office for the first
time and Of the manner in which she
began to grow up. He recalled the day
when she reached the mature age Of
twelve and of how he had presented
to her Bible for gift and Of the
manner In which he had blushed for
all his twenty-five years.
And then he recalled the day when
John Simpson had confided to him
that the "kids" were to be given ad-
vantages and were to be sent abroad
to school. There came blank after
that. but he recalled as IL 1t had been
but yesterday the feeling with which
he had gone Off into a corner and
wrestled with the grief that had beset
him. He could even see the fluttering
hand that waved to him from the car
window as the train took her and her
brother away.
Suddenly the door behind him opened
and shut quickly. and quick steps
caused him to drop his feet to the
floor. He turned and found visitor
Mt his elbow.
"Dan." said the newcomer, "its
all yours. Jenkins just got telegram
that the X. and G. has decided to offer
you the representation for this end Of
the state"
THAT so" responded Pike aim.
lessly.
"Of course It's so. man. replied the
other. shaking him vigorously by the
shoulder. Wake up, can't you? It's
worth fifteen thousand a year to you"
Pike turned quizzical eyes upon his
friend and folded the letter he held In
his hand.
much obliged to you, Tom" he said.
II guess Pm kind Of upset today. Got
letter here that-jolted me little.
I'm thinking Of going away for q
spell"
"Going awayw calculated his friend
with wide eyes. Going away!
Where?"
II guess I'll take trip across the
water" replied Pike dreamily. cal
ways wanted to see those foreign
parts, those Venices and Romes and
Londons. Must be queer tribe over
there, Tom. Not much like us plain
folks here. eh? Lots Of high and
mighty dukes and earls and things and
coats of arms and crowns and coaches
with white horses, eh?"
Tom Perkins sat down in a chair
with gasp of astonishment. He
stared at his friend with frank amaze
ment written on his face and opened
his mouth twice before his lips formed
the words.
"Europew he said at last.
Europe" he replied. "Say, Tom,
you remember Jim Cooley? They sent
Jim over there, didn't they? Made
him vice consul or something over In
London? Id maybe get chance to
see Jim and talk to him about-about
old times"
His voice died down, and he regarded
the wall again.
Never happened to hear Of folks
over there Of the name Of-of Haw-
castle. did you Tom?" he went on. 81
don't know what sort Of business they
are in, but guess they're well to do'
Never happened to hear Of them, ehY'
Perkins shook his head, and Pike
went on:
Maybe I'll write to Jim Cooley and
ask him about these people. Jim d be
likely to know 'em. guess. Vice con-
sui must be a pretty big bug over
there"