Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-08-09


wv Of earning money to pay his
gambling debts 1t was with
very haZy idea Of how he was going
to do it. Of one thing he was deter
mined-he would 20 so far away that
there would be little danger Of his be-
ing known 1t was still without def
ute purpose that he boarded u train
and started west At Salt Lake City
he stopped and spent several days
looking for work only to find that
every position had half dozen men
waiting for it.
at last in discouragement he took
the train again, this time not stopping
until he reached Seattle. Here his
search for work was Of little more
avail than at Salt Lake City. One day
when both his money and his hopes
had almost reached their lowest ebb
he wandered down to the wharf and
stood idly watching sealer making
ready to sail.
He was suddenly startled by heavy
hand OH his shoulder and turned quick
" around to be confronted by a rough
looking, bearded seaman. The sailor
looked Harold over critically for mo-
ment without speaking. nodding ap-
! provingly as he noted the we'll built,
athletic form.
"Do you want to ship with us7" he
asked at last.
Harold looked from his rough ques-
toner to the dirty little ship and shud-
dered. A winter in the arctic circle
with crew of Quarreling sailors for
companions was not exactly what he
had had in mind when he started west
to earn that 5000. Then he remembered
MabePs last words. II know you can
do it, Harold" and the disappointed
look in Gladys eyes the time she said,
1.-THE kind Of boys like are those who
can do things" He turned and looked
the shipmaster sQuarely In the eyes.
'I'n CO." he said. "How much?"
"a hundred dollars month and
your share of one-fourth Of the net
profits. Be ready in half an hour"
The history Of that sealing trip
would make story in itself. There
were times when Harold almost wish
ed that he could loose his hold Of the
greasy rail and drop into the water.
where he could rest The days were a
confused tumble Of nerve racking toll
and the nights a brief moment OF OBJ
| livious slumber. The hardest training
on the football field had been play
| compared to this. But Harold was
! blessed with a strong constitution. and
before they had been out month he
could hold up his end Of the work
| with any man OH board. It was hard
trip for boy who had never worked
before, but 1t did much to make a
man of him. and he came back a great
, ly changed Harold.
| 1t was summer again. and Mabel
was sitting ON u low hanging branch
of one of the apple trees reading one
| afternoon when she was startled by
| ueliO thS ShooaN cN'~'
| and. glancing down. saw Harold look.
ing up 1T her.
The eight months he had been away
had made a great change In him. His
mouth was tirmer. there was a strong,
er curve to his chin, and his eyes had
taken on resourceful, self reliant
look in place Of their old stiffness.
MAY l come upP" he asked. and
without waiting for an answer he
swung himself up to seat beside her
"You don't need to tell me you've
succeeded" said Mabel. II can see
that for myself"
! "Yes." he cried enthusiastically
I've paid of those old gambling
dehts-to the last cent l guess that
squares Inc now"
Mabel looked at him. Does itr'
she asked meaningly.
"Why?" he inquired In surprised
tone. "I've paid every cent l owe
the fellows. Doesn't that make 1t al
right"
! what about the stain you left on