Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-10-24

swered simply. ~f had ter chew me
way tn nike a rat"
The captain stepped back and looked
at him.
by thunder" be said slowly. IL
believe you would" A change came
over the thin. arrogant face. he
stopped suddenly. raised the boy and
kissed him. Now. get out o this"
be roared at the driver as be leaped
into the wagon.
pretty good folks when you're In
trouble. amt they. Ches" said Bud.
What 'ud we have done If dey
hadn't conner Amt 1t mos time Jim
was moving. Bud"
"I'll give him another spoonful or
whisky. but you can't expect him to
start right up aud hop around. Ee
got an awful crack. boy"
For all that US the dose OF strong
LIQUOR went down Jim's throat he
opened his eyes
Hello. Bud! Hello. Ches" be said
wonderingly Have ! been asleepf
Why. what the devils the matter with
nv head?' BE raised his hand to the
spruce gum bandage. "Phew. but |
feel weak be sighed as his hand
dropped. something's happened. What
is it?"
There, with friend on each side
holding a hand. they told him the sto-
~. It was q sacred reunion.
The gratitude of the man saved and
the protestations Of the others that
they would have done all they did
thousand times again would only seem
childish in repetition. They cried. too.
which Is excusable in child. but not
In two big men. Men don't cry. 1t Is
the monopoly Of women. Neverthe-
less Bud-and Jim and Ches cried and
swore and shook hands and cried
again until 1t was pitiful thing 10
see.
WELL said Bud at last. this
makes you feel better. but II won't GET
the work done. I've got to 60 out anG
fix old Buck and get in some ire
wood
"Oh. ri do that cried Jim. raising
himself on his elbow.
YOU. jeered Bud. "fou look Ike
Il. Now. you liz right down there und
get we'll That's your play. 1t would
make us feel as II we'd wasted our
time II we had to turn TO and bury
Won after all the trouble we've had.
You're good for two weeks In that
bunk. OLD horse"
"lwo weeks. I can't Bud: ! can't:
| must get up before that:
"luu lie down there Hear me!
But IN nnve to See to things
around. You can't stay"
II stay right here till you're well"
"But the mailT'
"rbe devil take the mail or anybody
else that wants the job. Uncle sam
my won't mop on To my collar button
because OF the fine sendoir my frienu
the inspector II give. And somebody
will get orry eyed up In town ana
come down to find wnars loose. He'll
take the bags then. It's all settled.
But there are other things
"I4t 'sm rest Now I'm on 10 d."
the chores. Oh. say. speaking OF mail
here's letter for yOu. forgot all
about IN the excitement Here you 60
Come along. Ches. and help me carry
wood"
The miner OOked at the letter III his
hand and a unge Of blood rrep! into
his white cheeks then ebbed. leaving
them winter than before.
Suppose there were other men who
wanted ner. men with money. learn
ing. wit and influence. Was this bii
terest Of blows to fall upon him when
he was already down! he looked st
his hands. green from loss OF blood
Il tried" he muttered: Il tried
Still the very touch Of the paper
seemed to have something warm and
hearteainE In It Ii was from Der.
anyhow. With sudden strength he
tore It open aud read:
Dearest. Dearest JIM yield the whole
case. You are right
II is to my shame that clear sightedness
came from no source within me. but from
a brave example set.
My little cousin married the man she
loved last week. and Of course Miss Anne
was a high functionary
Oh, what q stirring there was In me.
Sim. watching them and thinking OF you'll
They will bs as poor an church mice.
but they DO not care. and theirs u the
wise economy.
Life L. too short to waste, Jim. see
4 now put II all in your hands. dear.
est you cannot come to me ! shall
como to yos
l believe I'm only iukswarm By habit.
not by nature.
l wish could tell you how sorry l am
for the time | have souandsrsd-
I'll show you That will bs better.
Any time o. any place and no sondi.
asns now. Jim That's all my deaf. brave
lover. Good nighsl
Yovr own. ANNE
Hs was sitting bolt upright Once
more hs devoured the letter. 1hsn be
sank back and closed his eyes.
Thank you. my darling. can rest
now" he said.
The golden sunset HIGHT played In
| rtotous joyousness on the cabin walls:
the little creek laughed out loud; 30
did Ches ana Bud approaching the
| cabin. It vas q beaur.fr' and happy
world.
THE Eyp.