Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-10-03

Wab Ouly du SACu1clOu.
People of widely differing nationals.
ties occupied the emigrant car. Jim
wondered whether they would ever
become Americans according to his
ideas Of Americans, a people in which
he had great pride and delight, and he
shook bis head doubtfuIiy as he took
them In.
Suddenly a small boy darted out Of
car-an exceedingly small hoy. thin
to emaciation. who made his way
through the crowd with that sprawl
ing. active. dancing manner peculiar
to thin small boys and spiders.
Jim half laughed at the little chap
until be saw his face. Then he real
lied at q glance that the matter was
no laughing one for the boy.
At the same time he saw the shock
ing thinness of the little face made
into VOLTS face by hunger. the min
gled horror and desperation Of the
eyes. The big man would not have
believed a childs face could express
emotions Of such magnitude. he was
wonder stricken at the sight and felt
an instructive sympathy for the fugi-
tive
It is a strange thing how fortune
will sometimes guide with certainty
when reason shows no path.
The boy came unerringly toward
Jim. Jim had a sort Of prophetic In
sight that he would. Back behind
him the urchin ran. Don't cher give
me away. mister" he pleaded. Jim
tapped hand in answer.
At the time he was leaning against
q corner of the station. A little back
Of him was a small lean-to shed. where
various truck was stored.
Out Of the car came burly brute of
q man, who stared about him rapidly.
"Dat's der Oh man." whispered the
boy. "If he gifts holt Of me there
won't be hull bone left in me body"
The man walked up to the con-
ductor and spoke to him.
"Aggh!" said the boy. "Now dey'll
get me sure. Der Jig Is up. Dey'll
have der hull gang ertop o mer' the
voice trailed Off into strnngled sob
and then continued In fierce whis
per: "Aggh! II I had me growth I'd
show 'em! I'd show 'emr' And then
burst Of hair raising profanity.
The argument was growing loud be
tween the man. who was urging some
thing. and the conductor. who was de
clining. Others were walking toward
the moderate excitement.
Jim wheeled and caught the boy IN
his arms. "Up you gor he said and
tossed him OH top of the shed. Lille
low behind the wood there and you
are all right"
Then came the conductors voice:
"say, my friend. If you think I'm go
Ing to hold my train while you hunt
up a lost kid there's something In you
that don't work right. Why didn't
you take care of him while you had
him? Now you've got Just four min
utes by the watch. Either hustle
around and hunt or drop or the train
and hunt. What's thatl Now. don't
you give me any slack. you black
muzzled tarrier. or I'll have the fear
Of God thrown into you too quick.
Get out of here now! Get out Of my
way!'
The man slouched Off and made IL
hasty search around the station. \
woman's face-scarcely an improve
ment on the man's--leaned ont Of the
car window and jeered at the hunter.
who cursed her back savagely.
The man walked up to Jim. Say.
did yer see kid go by here. misterT
With a shrug Of his shoulders. Jim
asked him that question in Mr.. Ollen-
DORIS French method about the pink
and green overcoat Of the shoemaker's
wife's sister.
The man showered low abuse on
what he supposed was foreigner un-
til Jim's ribs rose with the desire to
kill him.
"Ayr. wot are yer wastin' time wild
tn dago fur" called the woman.
eth kids on the roofr' Jim's heart
almost stopped. so thoroughly had he
identified himself with this quarrel
He made up his mind to fight for the
boy, right or wrong.
But he was saved the trouble. It
was only a Jest Of the woman's. for
she suddenly called. so earnestly that
even Jim was fooled. mo. he amt
neither. see him! see him! There
he is." It was the perfection Of act
ing, voice and gesture.
The man ran out to see where she
was pointing 'Where Is he" he
asked. looking wild around.
ION top der Hagpole. like er mon.
keyl You're itw she cried, with
shrek of laughter at the black brows
Of her dupe.
"I'll show yer der Joke when I git In
dere." he threatened.
The woman leaned her chin on her
hands and smiled. Jim never forgot