Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-09-24
NUMBER 80.

At the dry goods store Mr.. Brownlee
called to him: "Hello. Sinton! How do
you like the fate Of your lunch boxr'
Then he began to laugh.
II always hate to see q man laughing
alone" said sinton. ut looks 30 SELF
ish. Tel me the tnn and let me help
you."
Brownlee wiped bis eyes.
II supposed you knew. but I see she
hasn't told"
Then the three days history Of the
lunch box was repeated with particu-
lars which Included the dog.
"Now laugh" concluded Brownlee.
BLESSED II see anything funny"
replied &nton. "And II you had
bought that box and furnished one Of
those lunches yourself you wouldn't
either. l call such work q shame.
I'll have 1t stopped"
"Some one must see to that, all
right. They are little leeches. Their
father earns enough to support them.
but they have no mother, and they run
wild. I suppose they are crazy for
cooked food. But It Is funny, and when
you think 1t over you will see 1t II you
don't now."
about where would a body find
that father?' inquired Sinton grimly.
Mr.. Brownlee told him. and he started,
locating the house with little difficulty.
House WIS the proper word, for OF
home there was no sign. Just small
empty house with three unkempt little
children racing through and around 1t.
The girl and the elder boy hung back.
but dirty little Billy greeted Sinton
with, what you want here"
IT want to see your father" said
Sinton.
"Well, he's asleep" said Billy.
"WhereT asked Slnton.
"In the house." answered Billy. land
you can't wake him."
"Well, I'll try" said Wesley.
Billy led the way. There he Is"
he said. "He Is drunk again"
On a dirty mattress in n corner lay
a sleeping man who appeared to he
strong and well.
Billy was right. You could not awake
him. He had gone the limit and
little beyond. He was now facing
eternity.
Sinton went out and closed the door.
"Your father Is sick and needs
help" he said. You stay here and
will send man to see him."
If you just let him lone, he'll sleep
It off," volunteered Billy. "He's that
way all the time, but he wakes up
and gets US something to eat after
awhile. Only waitin' twists you up in
side pretty bad"
The boy wore no air OF complaint.
He was merely stating facts.
Wesley Slnton looked hard at Billy.
Are you twisted up inside nowY' he
asked.
Billy laid a grimy hand on the re-
gion Of his stomach. and the filthy
little waist sank close to the backbone.
bet your life, boss" he said cheer
fully.
"How long have you been twisted"
asked Sinton.
Billy appealed to the others. when
"a hod hn
bridger
Yesterday morning." said the girl.
els that all goneT asked Sinton.
"She went and told US to take IT
home" said Billy ruefully. "and cause
she said to, We took 1t. Pa had come
back, he was drinking some more. ana
he ate a lot Of Utmost the whole
thing, and 1t made him sick as dog.
and he went and wasted all Of 1t.
Then he got drunk some more. and
now he's asleep again. We didn't get
hardly none"
"You children sit on the steps until
the man comes" said Slnton. iii
send you some things to eat with him.
What's your name, sonnyT
BILLY" said the boy.
"Well, Billy. guess you better
come with me- III take care OF him."
SInton promised the others. He reach
ed a hand to Billy.
81 amt no baby, I'm boy" said
Billy as he shuflled along beside Sin
ton, taking a kick at every movable
object without regard to his battered
toes.
Once they passed Great Dane dog
lolllng after Its master. and Billy as
cended SInton as II he was a tree and
clung to him with trembling hot hands.
II amt afraid Of that dog" scoffed
Billy as he was again placed on tho
walk, "but onc't he took me for a rat
or somepln and his teeth cut into my
back. II I'd a done right I'd q took
the law on him."
Slnton looked down into the indig'
nant little face. The child was bright
enough, he had a good head. but, oh.
such a body!
Wesley slnton reached his hand.
They were coming into the business
part Of Onabasha, and the streets were
crowded. Billy understood 1t to mean
that he might lose his companion and
took q grip. That little hot hand
cllnging tight to his, the sore feet
recklessly securing the walk, the hun.
cry child painting for breath as no
tried to keep even. caught sinton In Q
tender. empty spot
"say, son." he said, "how would you
like to be washed clean and have all
the supper your skin could hold and
sleep in a good bedr
"Aw, geer said Billy. II amt dead
yet. Them things is in heaven. Poor
folks can't have them. Pa said o."
"Well, you can have them II you
want to 60 with me and get them"
promised SintOn.
sKin I take some 10 Jimmy and
BelleT'
"Tf you'll come with me and be my
boy I'll see that they have plenty"
"What will pa sayT
''Your pa Is In that kind Of sleep now
where he won't wake up, Billy" said
sinton. II am pretty sure the law
will give you to me II you want to
come"
when people don't ever wake up
they're dead" announced Billy. Ts
my pa deadT
"Yes, he is," answered Sinton.