Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-03-28

L TIC $iol VA
Ill With the summer boarders
gone, the cranberry picking
finished, state election over, school
begun and under way and real winter
not yet upon us Bayport in the late
fall distinctly needs something to en-
liven 1t.
This year there were several ques-
tons to be talked over and settled at
town meeting. Two selectmen whose
terms expired were candidates for re-
election. Lem Myrick had resigned
from the school committee, not waiting
until spring, us he had announced that
he should do. Then there was the
usual sentiment in favor Of better
roads and the usual opposition to 1t;
also there was the ever present hope
If the government appropriation for
harbor improvement.
Mr.. Tidditt was one Of the select
men whose terms expired. In his
dual capacity as selectman and town
clerk Asaph felt himself to be very
important Parsonage. To elect some
one else in his place would be, he was
certain, a calamity which would stag
ger the township.
There had been much discussion con.
cerning the school committee. Who
should be chosen to replace Mr.. My.
rick on the board was the gravest
question to come before the meeting.
Many names had been proposed at
Simmons and elsewhere, but some OF
those named had refused 10 run, and
others had not after further consid-
Grafton seemed the proper persons for
the office. In the absence Of Mr.. At
kins Tad Simpson was our leader IN
the political arena. But Tad so far
had been mute.
"Wait awhile" he said. There's
some weeks afore town meetin' day.
This Is a serious business. We can't
have no more-I mean no unsuitable
man to I'LL such an important place as
that. The welfare Of our posterity."
he added. and we all recognized the
quotation. depends ppon the choice
that's to be made"
A choice was made, however, on the
very next day but one after this dec
laration. A candidate announced him
self. Asaph and Bailey hurried to the
Cy Whitaker place with the news
Captain Cy was In the woodshed build
ing q doll house for Bos'n.
Mr.. Tidditt was all smiles.
what do you think, Cyl" he cried.
"The new school committee mans as
good as elected. Lonzo Shows goin'
to take It."
The captain laid down his plane.
"Lonzo Snoww he repeated. "You
don't say! Humph! Well, welt"
"Yes, sirw exclaimed Bailey. "He's
come forward and says It's his duty to
do so. He
"Humph! His duty. hey? I wonder
who pointed 1t out to him?"
"Well, l don't know. But even Tad
Simpsons glad. He says that he
knows Heman will be pleased with
that kind Of a candidate and so he
won't have to do any more huntin'.
He thinks Lonzo's comm out by HIM
self this way LIS kind of special prov.
idence."
"Yes, yes! I shouldn't wonder. Did
you ever notice how dead sure Tad
and his kind are that Providence Is
workin' with 'em? Seems to me
'twould be more satisfactory If we
could get sight Of the other partners
signature to the deed"
"What's the matter with you?" de-
manded Asaph. you amt 6ndln' fault
with Lonzo. are your Amt he good
man"
Good! Sure thing he's good! No
body can say he isn't and tell the
truth"
No one could truthfuIly speak I'll Of
Alonzo Snow-that was fact. BE
lived ut the lower end Of the village,
was well to do, leading cranberry
grower and very prominent In the
church. A mild, easy going person was
Mr.. Snow. with an almost too keen
fear Of doing the wrong thing and
therefore prone to be guided by the
opinion Of others. He was distinctly
not a politician.
"Then what ais your asked Asaph
hotly.
"Why, nothin' maybe, only I'm al
ways suspicious when Tad pats Prov
idence on the back. I generally figure
that I can see through a doughnut
when there's light behind the hole.
Who is Lonzo's best friend In this
town? Who does he chum with most
Of anybodyT
"why. Darius Ellis. guess. You
know It"
"Um.hum. And Darius % on the
committee-whyT
''Well, I s'pose cause Heman Atkins
thought he'd be good feller 10 have
there. But
"Yes. and Lonzo's pew In church
Is right under the Atkins memorial
window. The light from It makes a
kind Of halo round his bald head every
Sunday"
"well. what Of It? Heman nor no
body else could buy Lonzo SNOW"