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

~ they were astounded by the
tableau In the Whitaker sitting room.
Captain Cy was seated in the rocking
chair which had been his grand
fathers. At his feet, on the walnut
cricket with a haircloth top. sat
little girl turning over the leaves OF
tattered magazine, Godey's Lady's
Book. A pile of these magazines was
beside her on the floor. The captain
was smiling and looking over her
shoulder. The cat was curled up IN
another chair. The room looked more
homelike than II had since It's owner
returned to 1t.
The friends entered without knock
Ing. Captain cy looked up. saw them
and appeared embarrassed.
Hello. boys" he said. Glad to see
you. Come right in. Clearin' off fine.
amt it,
We've didn't know you had COM
pany, Whit" said Asaph. I'VE been
up to Simmons. and Alpheus said YOU
was thin and peaked and looked sick.
Said you bought sass'p'rilla and all
kind of truck He was afraid you
had fever and was out Of your head.
cruisin' round In the rain with no UNI
brella. The gang weren't talkin' Of
nothin' else. so me and Bailey thought
we'd come right down."
That's kind of you. I'm sure. Take
your things Off and set down. No; I'm
sorry to disappoint Smalley and the
rest, but I'm able to be up and-er-
make my own bed, thank you. So Al
pheus thought looked thin. hey?
Well, If l had to live on that soup he
sold me I'd be thlnner'n I am now.
You tell him that canned hot water IS
all right If you like 1t. but 1t seems n
shame to put mud in 1t. 1t only
changes the color and don't help the
taste.'
Mr.. Bangs, who was still staring at
Emily, now ventured a remark.
els that relation Of yours. Cy?" he
asked.
That? Oh! Well. no, not exactly.
And yet don't know but she is. Eel
lers. this is Emmie Thomas. Can't
you shake hands, Emmie?"
The child rose. laid down the maga-
zine. which was opened at the colored
picture of group Of ladies in crino-
line and chignons. and, going across
the room. extended a hand to Mr.. It'd
dit.
"why-er-how dye do7 I'm pretty
smart, thank you. How's yourselfT'
I'm better now. 1 guess the sass
parilla was good for me-"
"'Twan't the sass'p'rilla," observed
the captain with conviction. "Twas
the Arabian balsam.' Ma always
cured me with 1t. and there's nothin'
finer"
But what in time began Bailey.
Captain Cy glanced at the child and
then at the clock.
Don't you think you'd better turn
IN now, Emmie?" he said hastily, cut
ting of the remainder Of the Bangs
query. Its after 8, and when I was
little l was abed afore that"
Emily obediently turned. gathered up
the Lady's Books and replaced them
In the closet. Then she went to the
dining room and came back with a
hand lamp.
Good night" she said, addressing
the visitors Then, coming close to
the captain, she put her face up for q
kiss.
AS Bailey told Asaph afterward,
Captain Cy blushed until the ends Of
the red Tapped over at the nape Of his
neck. However, he bent and kissed
the rosy lips and then quickly brushed
his own with his hand.
"Yes, yes" he stammered. well
er-good night. Pleasant dreams to
you. See you In the mornin'."
The girl paused at the chamber door.
"You won't have to unbutton my waist
now." she said. This is my other one,
| and 1t amt that kind"
The door closed. The captain, with
out looking at his friends, led the way
to the dining room.
Come on out here" he whispered
I'VE can talk better here"
Naturally they wanted to know all
about the girl, who she was and where
she came from. Captain Cy told as
much Of the history Of the affair as he
thought necessary.
poor young onew he concluded.
"She landed on me In the rain. soppin
| wet and ha'f sick. I couldn't turn her
out then-nobody could. Course it's
an everlastin' outrage on me and the
checklist thing I ever heard OF. But
what could l do? was fixed q good
deal like an English feller by the name
Of Gatenby that / used to know In
South America. He woke up In the
middle Of the night and found n boa
constructor curled on the foot Of his
bed. Next day. when crowd Of US
happened In, there was Gatenby, white
as sheet, starin' down at the snake
and 1t sound asleep. I didn't invite
him. he says, but he looked so bloom
in comfta 'adn't the 'eart to dis
turb i'm Same way with me. The
child seemed 80 conf table here I AIM
had the heart to disturb her-yet"
but she said she was goin' to stay
put In Bailey. "You amt goin' to keeI
her, are you?"
The captains indignation was in
tense.
"Who! MeY' he snorted. What dt
you think ami amt runnin' an or
phan asylum. No, sir! I'll keep tht
young one day or 80 or maybe &
week, and then I'll pack her of t
Betsy Howes. / amt 80 soft as they
think am. I'll show 'em!"
Mr.. Tidditt looked thoughtful.
"She's kind of cute little girl. aim
sheT he observed.
Captain Cy's frown vanished. and
smile took It's place.
THAT'S So" he chuckled. "She is
! now that's a fact. don't knows
ever saw q cutter"
The girl stayed on at the Whittake
place and grew to be more and NOR
a part Of 1t. At the end Of the secon'
week Captain Cy began calling he
"Bos'n."
"a bos'n's a mighty handy maj
il ahoarG chiYa 20 ha aYnlainod IAN