Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-05-25
cows I'm Il norther

Sagebrush began gravely to explain.
He got only rs far as This here bein'
birthday" when Echo interrupted
him: "Oh, Then it's n birthday party?"
Once stopped, Sagebrush could not
ret started again. He cleared his
threat with more emphasis than po-
liteness. Striking the attitude Of an
orator. with one hand upraised and
the other on his hip. he hcmmed and
hawed until beads Of perspiration
trickled from his temples.
Again he nerved himself for the or.
deal.
"Mebbe," he gasped.
Then he opened and closed his
mouth froglike. several times. taking
long. gulping breaths. At last looking
helrlcssly about him. he shouted, "Oh,
shucks. you tell her. Jackw He pushed
him toward Echo. Jack rested his
hand on the table and began, We've
surprise for you-that is. the boys
have
What Is it?" asked Echo eagerly.
you've got to call 1t blind" broke In
Sagebrush.
Guess It," cried Fresno.
"a pony cart" haZarded Echo.
"Shucks, now said Show Low at the
idea of presenting Echo with anything
on wheels.
Echo then guessed, Sewing ma.
chine"
Sagebrush encouraged her. That's
somethin like 1t. Go on. 60 on"
"Well, then, It's a.
Sagebrush grew more excited. He
raised and lowered himself on his toes,
backing toward the piano. go IT.;
you're gettin' there" he shouted.
"It's a.
Again she hesitated, to be helped on
by Sagebrush with the assurances:
She'll do 1t. Fire away. It's a.
"a
"GO on"
Sagebrush In his enthusiasm backed
too far into the blanket screen. His
spurs became entangled. To save him
self from a fall he threw out his hand
behind him. They struck the polished
cover Of the instrument, slid of, and
Sagebrush sat down on the keys with
an unmistakable crash.
"a piano." cried Echo exultantly.
"Who done that" demanded Show
Low angrily.
Parenthess from his place on the
floor looked at the mischief maker IN
disgust. "Sagebrush" he shouted.
"Givin' the hull thing away" snarled
Fresno.
Show Low could contain himself no
longer. Going up to Sagebrush. he
shook his fist in his face, saying:
you're the limit. You ought to be
herdin sheep
The victim Of the accident humbly
replied, II couldn't help It,"
Mrs. Allen smoothed out the differ
ences by declaring: whats the differ
encel She wouldn't have guessed, not
In a million years. Stand away an
let her see It."
Fresno swept them all aside with
the blanket.
"Oh, isn't 1t beautiful-beautifulw
cried Echo.
who -what-where"- she STAN.
mered, glancing from one to the other.
her eyes finally resting on Jack.
"Not guiityw he cried. You'll have
to thank the boys for this"
With happy tears yelling up In her
eyes, Echo said: II do thank them.
I do, l do. l can't tell how delighted
l am. / can't say how much this
means to me. Oh, thank you! l
say 1t once, but feel 1t thousand
times" She seized each Of the boys
by the hand and shook 1t heartily.
"Would you like to have another Sc
lection?' asked Fresno, relieving the
tension Of the situation.
Nor shouted the punchers unani-
mously. Fresno looked very much
crestfallen since he considered that
he had made deep impression by his
first effort.
"Mrs. Payson's goin' to hit US out q
tune" announced Sagebrush.
Echo seated herself at the piano.