Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-04-18

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CHAPTER XIII.
"c~1RIENDs," said Heman. my
h name has been brought into
III this controversy by Mr.. Simp-
~ son directly and In insinua-
ton by-er-another. Therefore 1t Is
my right to make my position clear.
Mr.. Thomas came to me last evening In
distress, both Of mind and body. he
told. me his story-substantially the
story which has just been told to you
BY Mr.. Simpson-and. gentlemen. be-
lieve It. But If l did not believe 1t. II
I believed him to have been in the past
all that his opponent has said. even II
believed that. only last evening.
spurned. driven from his child. penni-
less and hopeless. he had yielded to the
weakness which has been his curse all
his life-even If l believed that. still !
should demand that Henry Thomas
repentant and earnest as you see him
now, should be given his rightful op'
portunity to become a man again. DE
Is poor. but he Is not-shall not be
friendless. No; a thousand times. mol
You may say. some Of you. that the
affair is not my business. affirm
that II is my business. 1t Is my busl-
ness as q Christian. and that business
should come before all others. have
a child Of my own. l know what
fathers love Is. And after sleepless
night stand here before you today
determined that this man shall have
his own II my money-which you
will. I'm sure. forgive my mentioning
and my unHinching support can give
1t to him That is my position" He
paused and with right hand raised
launched his final thunderbolt. Whom
God hath joined" he proclaimed. "let
no one put asunder!
That settled It. The cheers shook the
walls. Amid the tumult Dimick and
Bailey Bangs seized Captain Cy BY the
shoulders and endeavored to lift him
from his seat.
"For the love Of goodness. Whit"
groaned Josiah desperately. stand
up and answer himi II you don't we'll
founder sure"
The captain smiled grimly and shook
bis head. He had not taken his eyes
from the face of the great Atkins since
the latter began speaking.
What" he replied. after that
put asunder' sockdolager? Man alive.
DO you want me to add Sabbath break
in to my other crimesY"
The vote by ballot followed almost
Immediately. II was pitiful to see the
erstwhile Whitaker majority melt
away. Alonzo Snow was triumphantly
elected But a handful voted against
him.
Captain Cy, returning from the town
meeting to the Whitaker place, felt
lonesome.
War was already declared, and the
reasons for 1t mattered little. The
first skirmish might occur at any mo-
ment The situation was desperate.
The captain squared his shoulders,
thrust forward bis chin and walked
briskly up the path to the door Of the
dining room. It was nearly l o'clock.
but Bos'n had not yet gone.
"Hello. shipmate," he hailed mot
headed for school yeti Good. ! cal'late
you needn't 90 this afternoon. I'm
thinkin' Of hirin' q team aud drivin' to
Ostable. and l didn't know but you'd
like to 20 with me. Think you could
without that teacher woman havin'
you brought up aft for mutinyT'
pOS " tuouSuS ~ 0VSAs
"Yes, SIR" she said, Il guess so. II
you wrote me an excuse I'd love to
90. Uncle Cy."
The captain removed his coat and
hat and pulled chair forward to the
table.
"Hellor he exclaimed. whats this
the mail?"
Bos'n smiled delightedly.
"Yes, SIR she replied II knew you
was at the meeting. and 30 I brought
It from the Office. Amt you glad?"
"Sure! Yes. indeed! Much obliged"
He smothered a groan and picked up
the mail.
"Hum," he mused-"the Breeze. a
circular and one letter Hello! 1t isn't
possible that Well. well!"
The letter was in long envelope.
He hastily tore it open. At the inclo-
sure he glanced in evident excitement
Then his smile returned.
"Bos'n." he said after moments
reflection. II guess you and me won't
have to go to Ostable after ALL" No
ticing the child's look Of disappoint-
ment. he added: "But you needn't go to
school. Maybe you'd better not. You
and NELL take tramp alongshore.
What do you say?"
"Oh. yes. Uncle Cy! Lets-shall
we3"
"Why. l don't see why not Wen
cruise in company as long as we can.
hey. little girl? The squalls likely to
strike afore night" he muttered. half
aloud. "Well enjoy the fine weather
till it's time to shorten sail"
They walked all that afternoon. Cap
tain Cy was even more kind and gentle
with his small companion than usual.
He told her stories which made her
laugh. pointed out spots in the pines
where he had played Indian when q
boy, carried her "pig back" when she
grew tired and kissed her tenderly
when, at the back door Of the Whit.
taker place. he set her on her feet
again.
Shortly after their return Miss
Dawes came to inquire about Emily's
absence from school
Suddenly steps sounded on the walk
there was a whispering outside, and
some one knocked on the dining room
door.