Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-02-01

| efty.
This was 80 obviously humorous in
intent that its only reception consisted
Of more grins from everybody.
"The nearest sherin's at Spruce
Rapid" commented some one philo-
sophically.
1--WE have sixty men, all told" said
Orde. I'VE ought to be able to carry
1t through"
He filed his plate and walked across
to a vacant place. Here he found him.
self next to Newmark.
"Hellow he greeted that young man,
"Fixed 1t with the doctor all right?"
eyes," replied Newmark, thanks. !
think 1 ought to tell you that the sher
iff is not at Spruce Rapids, but at the
village-expecting trouble"
| Orde roared In delight.
"Boys," he called, "old Plug Hats
got the sheriff right handy. Has he
a posse?" inquired Orde Of Newmark.
IT didn't see any, but heard that
the governor had been advised to hold
troops in readiness"
At last Orde's face cleared, and he
slapped down his tin plate violently.
81 have itw he cried aloud.
He instructed q half dozen men to
provide themselves with saws, axes.
picks and shovels and march toward
the mill.
When near the structure the river.
man saw the lank, black figure Of the
mill owner mount bony old horse
and clatter away into the forest.
Orde rapidly designated ten men OF
his crew. "You make things hum.
Get as much done as you can before
| the sheriff comes. and when that sher.
iff comes want you to 60 peaceably.
Understand"
"Cave in? Not much" cried Purdy.
"See here" and Orde drew them
aside in earnest conversation. When
he had finished he clapped each OF
them on the back. and all moved of,
laughing. to the dam.
"Now, boys" he commanded the
others, mo row without orders. If
there's going to be fight I'll give
the word"
The chopping crew descended to the
bottom Of the sluice, the gate Of which
had been shut, and began Immediately
to chop away at the apron.
The work had continued nearly an
| hour when Orde commanded the 6fty
| or more idlers back to camp.
"The sheriff will be here pretty
quick now"
"And leave them to fight alone?
Guess not" grumbled tall, burly in
Aividual.
"Am 1 bossing this driver" demand
ed Orde.
The riverman growled.
Smack, smack. sounded Orde's fists.
The man went down in q heap, but
Immediately rebounded to his feet.
Orde seized a peavy and stood with
the murderous weapon upraised.
Lille down, you hound, or I'll brain
| you'll" he roared at the top Of his great
voice.
The man crouched, breathless.
"March! commanded Orde. you're
through"
The man sullenly arose and SLOUGH
ed away.
The other men turned to the trail,
leaving the ten at the sluice. When
within the fringe Of the brush Orde
called halt.
"Now, boys" he commanded, squat
down and lay low. II fight would do
any good you know mighty well I'd
fight. And the boys won't be In jail
any longer than 1t takes to get wire
to DAILY to bail them out. Smoke up
and don't bother"
They filed their pipes and settled
down to an enjoyment Of the situa-
ton.
A half hour elapsed before the situ-
alton developed further. Then Tom
| North's friend Jim, who had gathered
his long figure on the top Of a stump,
unclasped his knees and remarked that
| old Plug Hat was back.
The men peered cautiously through
| the brush. They saw Reed, accompa-
MED by the sheriff. approach the dam.
The working crew stacked their tools,
resumed their jackets and departed
with the sheriff.
"Well, I'll be derned" calculated one
Of the concealed rivermen. "That's the
first time ever see one lonesome sher-
III gather in ten river hogs without the
aid Of a Gatlin'."
Orde watched them disappear.
"Jim," said he. 'and you. Ellis. and
you, and you. and You. and you. get to
work on that dam. And remember
this-if you are arrested. 60 peaceably.
Any resistance will spoil the whole
game" The men broke into mingled
cheers and laughter as the full sig
nificance Of Orde's plan reached them
They streamed back TO the dam.
Reed came out, eyes blazing.
Reed stormed back and forth for a
moment. then departed at full speed
up the road.
"Now, boys. get as much done as
possible" urged Orde. 1--WE better get
back in the brush or he may try to
arrest the whole billing Of US on some
sort Of a blanket warrant"
"How about the other boysT In
quired North:
T gave one Of them a telegram to
send to DAILY" replied Orde. "Daly
will be up to ball them out"
Once more they hid In the woods.
and again. after longer interval. the
mill owner and the sheriff reappeared.
Reed appeared to be expostulating vio-
lently and number Of times pointed
up river, but the sheriff went ahead
stolidly to the dam, summoned those
working below and departed up the
road as before. Reed stood uncertain