Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-01-15

new passenger. IL was eVluenC tuaI
he, too, was acquainted with the lat
ter.
Evening, cap'n," he said politely.
Trains little late tonight"
ut is-for tonight's train," was the
prompt response, "but If it keeps on
at the rate it's travelin' now it'll be
little early for tomorrow mornin's,
won't itY"
The conductor laughed. "Guess
you're right" he said. 'This is about
as wet storm as I've run through
since I've been on the road"
The brakeman swung open the door
to shout: "Denboro! DenboroT The
conductor picked up his lantern and
hurried away, the locomotive whis-
tied hoarsely, and the train hiccuped
alongside another little station. Mr..
Graves, peering through his window,
imagined that here the silhouettes on
the platform moved more briskly.
They seemed almost excited. He In
ferred that Denboro was bigger and
more wide awake village than Ostable.
But he was mistaken. The reason
for the excitement was made plain by
the conductor a moment afterward.
That official entered the car, removed
his, uniform cap and rubbed q wet
forehead With wetter hand
"WeI, gentlemen" he said, 1--WE
been expecting 1t, and here It is. Mark
me down as a good prophet, will you?
There's q washout mile farther on
and telegraph pole across the track.
It's blowing great guns and raining
pitchforks. It'n be out Of the question
for us to 60 forward before daylight. If
then. Darn q railroad mans Job any
howw
Five minutes later Mr.. Graves de-
scended the steps Of the car, his trav-
cling bag in one hand and an umbrella
In the other. AS soon as both feet
were securely planted on the platform
he put down the bag to wrestle with
the umbrella and the hurricane, which
was apparently blowing from four d.
rections at once. Feeling his hat leav-
ing his head, he became aware that
the umbrella had turned inside out.
He threw the wreck violently under
the train and stopped to pick up the
bag. The bag was no longer there.
Its all right" said calm voice be-
hind him. "Pve got your satchel,
neighbor. Better beat for harbor,
hadn't we2 Here-this way"
The bewildered New Yorker felt his
arm seized in a firm grip, and he was
rushed across the platform, through a
deluge Of wind driven water, and into
a small, hot, close smelling waiting
room. When he pushed his hat clear
of his eyes he saw that his rescuer
was the big man who boarded the train
at Ostable.
"Dirty weather, hey" he observed
pleasantly. "Sorry your umbrella had
to 70 by the board. I see you was
carryin' too much canvas and tried to
run alongside in time to give you a
tow. but you was dismasted Just as
got there. Here's your dunnage, all
safe and sound."'
he extended the travelling bag at
arms length. Mr.. Graves accepted his
property and murmured thanks, not too
cordially.
"Well," went on his companion,
~here we are! And I for one wanted
to be somewhere else. Caleb" turn
ing to the station master, who came
in at that moment, "any way Of my
gettin' home tonightf"
"'Fraid not, cap'n," was the answer.
IT don't know of any. Guess you'll
have to put up at the hotel and wait
till mornin'."
I'm booked for South Denboro, and
that's only seven miles off. I'd swim
the whole seven rather than put up at
Sim Titcomb's hotel. I've been there
afore, thank you'll Look here. Caleb.
can't I hire team and drive overr
"Well. don't know. S'pose you
might ring up Peter Shattuck and ask
him. He's pretty particular about his
horses, though, and cal'late he
"All right. I'll ring him up. Pete
ought to get over some of his partic-
ularness to oblige me. I've helped him
once or twice"
Excuse me, sir" said the lawyer.
did understand you to say you were
going to South Denbor0"
Eyes. I am II the powers and Pete
Shattuck II let me-"
"You were going to drive oveff May
20 with you? I'm very anxious to
get to South Denboro tonight. ! have
some very important business there,
and I want to complete 1t and get away
tomorrow. I must be back In New
York by the morning following"
swell, I don't know, Mr.
Graves Is my name.r
IT don't know, Mr.. Graves This
amt goin' to be pleasure cruise ex-
actly. You might get pretty wet"
II don't care. can get dry again
when I get there. OF course ] shall
share the expense Of the livery. / shall
be greatly obliged II I may 80 with
you. II not, must try for q rig my
SELF" so y
"Oh, If you feel that way about It,
why, come ahead and welcome. Twas
only warnin' you. that's all. However,
with me aboard for ballast, guess we
won't blow away Wait ji6y tn ]
get after Pete"
He entered the ticket ofice and rails
ed q big hand to the little crank Of the
telephone bell.
'Let's see, Caleb" he called "Whats
Shattuck's nnmberT
''Four long and two short answered
the station master.
Graves, wondering vaguely what eort
Of telephone system was IN use On
Cape God, heard his prospective pilot
ring the instrument foe. Z full tWo &C.
ouds. repeating tn Eina foR t1n0a n