Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-02-12

Captain Elisha was q trine disap.
pointed.
"Oh," he said, ION business, was It'll
I hoped-I didn't know but you'd come
Just out Of sociability. However, I'm
mighty glad to see yon, Caroline"
Captain Warren" she began. IL
came to ask q favor. I am obliged to
ask It because you are our"-she al.
most choked over the hated word-"our
guardian, and / can no longer act on
my own responsibility. / wish to ask
you for some money"
Captain Elisha nodded gravely.
II see," he said. "Well, Caroline, !
don't believe you'll find me very close
fisted. / think l told you and Steve
that you was to do just as you'd been
in the habit Of doin'. Is your reg
lar allowance too small? Remember.
I don't know much about such things
here in New York, and you must bt
frank and aboveboard and tell me II
you have any complaints"
"I have no complaints. My allow.
ance is sufficient. 1t is the same that
father used to give me, and 1t Is all ]
need. One Of the maids, Annie, has
trouble at home, and wanted to help
her."
The captain nodded once more.
"Annie," he repeated, that's the rosy
faced one, the Irish one?"
"Yes. Her father was seriously In.
jured the other day and cannot work.
ElS hip Is broken, and the doctors bill
will be large. They are very poor,
and l thought perhaps She hesi-
tated. faltered and then said haughti-
~, Father was very sympathetic anu
liked to, have me do such things"
"Sho! Sho! Sartin! Course he did.
l like it too. I'm glad you came to
me just as you did, Caroline. How
much do you want to start withT
81 don't know exactly. l thought |
might ask our own doctor to attend to
the case and might send them some
delicacies and food"
Good idea! Go right ahead, Caro-
line. How'd the accident happen:
Anybody's fault, was it?"
Caroline's eyes snapped. Indeed it
was! she said Indignantly. 1T was
a wet morning after rain, and the
pavement was slippery. Mr.. Moriarty,
Annie's father, was not working that
day, and he had gone out to do the
family marketing. He was crossing
the street when an automobile, reck-
lessly driven, SO every one says, drove
directly down on him. He tried to
lump out Of the way and succeeded,
otherwise he might have been killed,
but he fell and broke his hip. he L
an old man, and the case Is serious"
"Dear, dear, you don't tell me! Poor
old chapI The auto feller-did he help:
Seems to me he ought to be the one to
be spendin' the money. Twas his fault"
"Help! Indeed, he didn't! He and
the man with him merely laughed as If
it was a good joke, put on speed and
disappeared as quickly as possible"
"Why, the mean swab! Did this Mr..
Moriarty or the folks around get the
license number Of the auto"
mo. All they know Is that 1t was a
biz yellow car with two men in it."
"Hey? A yeller carr"
Eyes. Somewhat similar to the one
Malcolm-Mr. Dunn-drives."
$50, sol Hun! Where did it hap
penT
"On st. Nicholas avenue, near One
Hundred and Twenty-eighth street"
"Eh? st. Nicholas avenue, you sayT
"Yes." Caroline rose and turned to
20. THANK you, Captain Warren" she
said. II will tell DR.. Henry to take the
case at once"
The captain did not answer immedi,
ately. With his chin in his hand he
was gazing at the floor.
"Good afternoon" said Caroline
Her uncle looked up.
"Er-wait Just q minute, Caroline"
he said. "You have your doctor go
right ahead and see to the old man,
and you order the things to eat and
whatevers necessary. But afore you
give Annie or her father any money
I'd kind Of like to fgger little mite.
His niece stopped short, turned and
stared at him.
"Oh," she said slowly and icily,, 81
Internationally. Don't trouble
to figure as you call It Oh, why
did 1 humiliate myselff I should have
known"
Caroline, please
But the girl had gone, closing the
door after her.
Half an hour later the captain called
upon Malcolm Dunn, who was much
surprised to see him.
Captain Elisha took the offered chair
and dropped his hat on the floor be.
side 1t.
"Well," observed the young man
after q moment, whats the trouble,
admiral? Better get 1t OF your chest
hadn't you? We're private enough
here"
81 came to see you about an auto
mobile" said the captain.
"An automobilep The young man
was SO astonished that he actually re-
moved his feet from the desk. Then
he burst into a laugh. IAN automo-
bileT he repeated. Captain, has the
influence of the metropolis. made you
a sport already2 Do you want to buy
cart"
"Buy one?" 1t was Captain Elisha's
turn to show irritation. BUY one Of
them things? Me3 No, Mr.. Dunn,
'tain't that. But one of the hired help
up to our place-CarOline's place, i
mean-is In trouble on account Of one
of the drafted machines. They're poor
folks, Of course, and they need money
to help 'em through the doctorin' and
nursin' and while the old mans out OF
work. Caroline was for givin' 1t to
'em right of. She's good hearted
girl. but l said-that Is, kind OF
coaxed her out Of 1t. thought ID
ask some questions first Here's the
first one: Don't It seem to you that
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