Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-10-10

| ARgQ. Teplleu lilies. IL ain
seven It's leven on der stage. but rs
mostly craps In der street."
"Well. son. there are such points on
the dice" admitted Jim. But let's
have something to eat and We'll fee
better"
Ches rustled around after sticks iI'
his funny. angularly active style, sing
ing a song the while from the glad
ness Of his heart. 1t was merry
song about mother slowly going down
the hectic path of phthisis pulmonalis
and sister. who has. one Is led to be-
lieve, taken to small bottles, small!
hours and undesirable companions. re-
fusing to come home and Lift the mort
gage which is shortly to be foreclosed.
all in the narrow confines Of twenty
FIVE verses.
Jim listened to the tnspiriting dltty
in astonishment.
bird of the wilderness. biithesome and
cumberless.
Sweet be thy matin o'er moorland and
| lear
he quoted. For heavens sake. child.
he continued In some irritation. "where
did you learn that echo Of the morgueT'
Don't you like err" asked Ches. In
his turn astonished at such lack Of
taste. IVY. dat's er gig in der city
Everybuddy an der ginnies wild der
organs is givin' dat out all day long"
"Well, let EN-" commanded Jim
"Don't introduce 1t to this part Of the
country. AS you render 1t through the
nose and with the wall at the end 1t Is
a thing to make strong man lie dowr
and give up the ghost in sheer disgust
Ches. does it really make you feel good
to sing it?"
"Yessir-kinder." replied Ches hesi
tatingly.
Lord" thought Jim, what life
to make song like that recreation"
Then aloud: ats bad luck to sing be-
fore breakfast, Ches. III teach you
uvelier song than that when we hit
the trail again."
So It came to pass that during the
first miles of their days journey the
way was enlivened by the notes OF
'aThe Arkansas Traveller" Garry
Owen" where's My Linda -Cinda
Gone" baltimore Girls" and other
songs of lively character.
Ches approved Of these in modera
ton. Then Jim tried an experiment
With a serious face. but half an eye
on the boy, he howled. moaned and
grunted "The Cowboys Lament"
which still presents the insoluble prob
lem Of whether the words or the mu
sic are drearier. "OooooOOO! Pla-a-ay
your flies l-o.o-w-l-y. a-a-nd beee-at
your drums sl-o-o-o-wly and play the
dead m-a-arch as you carry me
o-o-o-onr mourned Jim Ches was all
attention. "For I'm o-o-o-nly a
p-o-o-or cowboy. and I know I'VE done
w-r-o-o-o-o-o-ng!'' walled the singer In
conclusion. "How'd you like that.
ChesT'
"say. dat's ringer" cried the boy
enthusiastically.
Jim sat him down by the roadside
and laughed his fill. II think you're
hopeless" he gasped.
The boy was hurt in way he could
not understand. Something pained
him, a new sensation Of not being up
to the requirements Of anothers view.
His forced acute intelligence made a
bullseye shot
"P'raps wen I've got er chist and
Jumpers on me like you III like der
udder kim er song" he said.
Jim looked at the pathetic little hg'
ure on the burro. and his conscience
smote him. "That's right. boy" he re-
Piled very kindly. IT was only Joking.
Ought not to be any Ill feeling be-
tween friends over Joke, you know.
Now. you sing ahead all you plenty
please"
Don't say nuttin' more about it.
replied Ches. "It's all square"
A little farther on Jim noticed a
piece of Quartz outcrop with metal
stain on 1t. Now. miner can no
more pass such a thing than some
others could refuse to pick up the pin
shining at their feet. 30 he took q
stone and hammered of a specimen
for future reference. In the meantime
Ches, on the burro, got around the
turn of the trail
Suddenly the boy set up q shout OF
excitement. "Oh. mister" he yelled,
with string Of profanity. bis promise
forgotten In his heat, "come quick an
look at der cat! Come quick. quick,
quick! What cat! You never see
sich catr'
Jim dashed forward well. should
sav catr he remarked as he took In
the situation. On'a ledge about fifty
feet above the road crouched a full
grown mountain Lion. ears back. eyes
furtively gllmpsing every avenue Of
escape. yaggering at the intruders saw.
agely.
The small boy in Jim FELTON, rose Oh
the instant. "Pelt him. Chex! Pelt
him! he cried and let hy the rock in
his hand by way Of illustration. A