Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-12-07

Mr.. Tanning produced some photo
graphs Of small cairns, or monuments,
erected by the United States geOdetic
survey In the course of its work and
made a running comment OH each pic
ture.
"NOw, here's one Of tho monuments
built on Mount Pisgah, the highest
point in the northern tier counties" he
said. Handsome piece Of work, don't
you think?"
"Some might say so," Lafe replied.
but don't know as l want any such
contraption in my pasture lot"
Immediately Mr. Tanning dug down
into his trousers pocket and produced
roll Of bills. from which he peeled
ten crisp five dollar notes.
"Uncle Sam amt no niggard when
It comes to paying for what he wants"
he declared. land here's $50 for the
privilege Of building small stone
monument in your pasture lot Take
'em!" He thrust the bills into Lafe's
hand and seized his hat. Now, that's
settled" he said and strode out Of the
house.
"see here" Lafe commenced, II don't
know Us ought to-
"You mean." Mr.. Tanning broke in
without pausing In his progress toward
the barn. you don't feel like taking
the money without giving receipt
Well, that's all right; your words good
enough for me-"
"Tain't that" Lafe corrected, but
"Well, all right, II you insist" said
Mr.. Tanning. pausing. Have It your
own way"
He searched In his breast pocket and
pulled out sheet Of paper. Then he
handed fountain pen to Lafe.
"Sign here" he said.
Folding the paper so that only the
spot he indicated was visible, he held
It against his horses flank while Lafe
appended very shaky signature.
Without waiting to blot 1t. Mr.. Fan
ming took the document and started to
leave.
The buggy had proceeded couple of
hundred yards when Lafe woke up.
He Immediately commenced running
and shouting ut his lungs capacity.
whereat Mr. Tanning gave his trotter
q vicious cut with the whip and start
ed Off at 2:40 gait
In the meantime Jimmie moved
peacefully at the bend Of the farm lane
near the pasture lot He had straight
ened up for moment to take the kinks
out Of his back, when the clatter Of
the trotter's hoofs and Lafe's discord-
ant roaring broke on his ear.
"a runaway he cried. and sprang
into the middle Of the lane.
There he yelled and brandished his
scythe full In the path Of the oncoming
horse until 1t was almost on top OF
him. 1t was nip and tuck. but Jimmie
stood 1t out, and ut the last moment
the trotter swerved and started up the
bank. Then 1t was that Jimmie drop
ped his scythe and seized the plunging
animal by the bride just as Lafe ar
rived on the scene. flourishing the bills
In his right hand.
"Here, you" he gasped to Tanning.
"Take 'emr' He threw the bills into
the wagon. II don't want 'emw
Jimmie held on to the horse, gaping
at the sight Of the money.
did he give it to yer" he asked,
nodding toward Tanning, who stood up
In the wagon and dropped the lines.
"Whars biting your" the topogra-
pher beloved, purple with rage. "You
leave go that horses head or Ill whale
the life out Of your
He grabbed the whip, but Lafe jump
ed I'm beside him. plnning both his arms
to his sides.
"Now, you behaveW Lafe growled-
..This may be the center Of population
of all the universe. l dunno and don't
care. Pick up that money O. yours,
an be quick about I'll"
Tanning stopped to recover the bills
from the bottom Of the wagon.
"Did he give. yer dat money! jim
mie repeated.
"He did," Lafe replied. but l don't
want 1t. Amt got no use for It, an !
amt got no use for no monuments,
neither"
Jimmie only heard the first part OF
Lafe's answer.
AN did yer sign any receipt sor
4" he continued
LAfe slapped his knee.