Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-04-04
WHITTAkER,S
PLACE
BY JOSEPH c. LINCOLN
Copyright. 1908. by D. Appleton 6 Co.

about keepin' clear. but he won't"
dered Captain c., but Mr.. Atkins held
up his hand
"Pardon me Just a moment. Cyrus
II you please" he said II feel that
on this happy occasion II Is my duty
and pleasure to propose a toast" lie
held his lemonade glass aloft. Per.
NIT me-" he proclaimed. ito wish
many happy birthdays and long life
to Miss I beg pardon. Cyrus. but
what Is your little friends name!"
Emily Richards Thayer." replied
the captain. carried away by enthusi-
asm and OF his guard for once
ITO En- began Heman Then he
paused and for the first time in his
public life seemed at loss for words.
"WhatT he asked and his hand
shook. ~ fear didn't catch the
name"
mo WONDER" laughed Mr.. Tidditt
'Cy's so crazy tonight he'd forgot bis
own name. Know what you said. Cyl
You said she was Emily Richards
Thayer. Haw! haw! She amt q
| Thayer. Heman Her last names
: Thomas. She's Emily Richards Thay'
er's granddaughter. though Her grand
dad was John Thayer. over to Orham
Good land. forgot! Well. what OF It
Cy? 'Twould have to be known some
time"
Every one looked at Captain Cy then
No one observed Mr.. Atkins for the
moment When they did turn their
gaze upon the great man he had sunk
back In his chair. the glass Of lemon
ade was upset upon the cloth before
him. and he. with a very white face,
was staring at Emily Richards
Thomas.
whats the matter, Heman" asked
the captain anxiously. "Aln't sick, are
your"
The congressman started.
"Oh, mol" he said hurriedly. "Oh,
no! But I'm afraid I've soiled your
cloth. 1t was awkward Of me. IL
really-I apologize-I"-
He wiped his face with his handker-
chief. Captain Cy laughed.
"Oh, never mind the tablecloth," he
said. II cal'late It's too soiled already
to be hurt by q bath, even q lemon
tne. Well, you've all heard the toast
Full glasses now. Here's to you,
Bos'n! Drink hearty, all hands. and
give the ship a good name"
| II the heartiness with which they
drank is a criterion, the good name OF
the ship was established. Then the
assembly adjourned to the sitting
room and-yes, even the front parlor.
Not since the days when that sacred
apartment had been desecrated by the
irreverent city boarders. during the
Howes regime had its walls echoed to
such whoops and shouts Of laughter.
The children played "postoffce" ana
Copenhagen" and "clap in. clap out"
while the grown folks looked on.
"Ain't they havin' fine time, cap'nr
gushed Miss Phinney. Don't 1t make
you wish you was young againT
"Angie." replied Captain Cy solemn
". don't tempt NEEDN'T! II they
keep on playin' that Copenhagen and
you stand right alongside OF me there's
| - x.I,t,, ,.h, <Jl hoppopT
Angeline declared that he was "tur-
rible," but she faced the threatened
danger nevertheless and bravely re-
mained where she was.
Mr.. Atkins went home early In the
evening. taking Alicia with him He
explained that his long railroad jour.
ney had-er-somewhat fadgued him
and, though he hated to leave such
-er-delightful gathering. he really
felt that under the circumstances his
departure would be forgiven. Captain
Cy opened the door for him and stood
watching as. holding bis daughter by
the hand, he marched majestically
down the path.
"Humr mused the captain aloud
II guess he has been travelin' nights.
Thought he ought to be here quick, ]
shouldn't wonder. He does look tired,
that's a fact. and kind Of pale. seemed
10 me-"
"Well, there. nowT exclaimed Mrs
Tripp. who was looking over his shoul.
der. did you see that2"
mo. What was itT'
"Why, when he went to open bis
gate one of them arbor witty bushes he
set out this spring knocked his hat of.
And he never seemed to notice. but
went right OIL II Licia hadn't picked
It up that nice new hat would have
been layin' there yet. That's the most
undigpified thing ever | see Heman
Atkins do He must be tired out. poor
manP'
The next day Cyrus was sitting nj
home comforting with his supporters
There came a knock at the door Of the
dining room The captain went to
answer the knock They heard the
door open. and then a mans voice
asked:
"Is this Cap'n WhittakerT
"Yes." was the short answer.
"Well. cap'n. guess you don't know
me. though maybe you know some Of
my family. Ha. ha! Don't understand
that. hey? Well. you let me in and
I'll explain the joke"
The captains reply was calm and de-
liberate
Il shouldn't wonder II understood
1t. I received your letter today from
| Concord" he said. Come In. Don't
The remainder of the sentence was
whispered. and the listeners on the
sofa could not hear It moment Inter
Captain Cy entered the sitting room.
followed by his caller.
The latter was a stranger. He was
q broad shouldered man Of medium
height, with yellowish mustache and
brown hair. He was dressed in rather
shabby clothes. without an overcoat,
and he had a soft felt hat In his hand.
He carried himself with swagger.
and after his entrance there was 4
perceptible aroma Of alcohol In the
room
He stared at the board Of strateg!
and the stare was returned In full
measure. Bailey and Asaph were
| ,vildl, cnrioua Thav of course col,