The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-12-18

zsey are Applied I. the Wronx Direction

Boothby is and has been for some days
past. one Of the most miserable men in ex-
istence. He is not possessed Of 6 very strong
mind; in fact, it cannot be said with any as
surance of certainty that he is possessed OF
much mind Of any kind, but what little he
has is decidedly weak, end there is no telling
what the consequences will be if the strain
on it is continued.
The cause of Boothby's unhappiness is his
abject cowardice and the bitterness OF his
nature. The latter dictates, but the former
prevents him from performing.
Boothby the other day, however, made q
compromise between the two distinguishing
traits of his character, but he would get ex-
cited, and he got into trouble again, and this
is how it happened.
It will be remembered that the result Of the
interview at the Girls High School was .
document in which the timid little individual,
under the impression that somebody was
actually going to hurt him, signed, pledging
himself to uselevery effort to prevent recur-
renee of the attempt to mix the schools Of this
city.
1t is probable that at the time Boothhy had
an intention to do IS he promised, but he did
not adhere to it long, and in q quiet way he
set about violating his pledge as his nature
dictated, and at the same time shielding him
self as his cowardice compelled him. And
not only did he break his promise but he con-
centrated his mighty energies for . purpose
directly the opposite of the stipulation in his
pledge.
On Tuesday he visited the girls lower High
School, and made an effort to get the princi-
pal, Miss Belle Simmons, to accept for ex-
animation the dusky beauties who had been
so summary dismissed and disposed Of by
the action of the young ladies' of the upper
school.
Boothby WAS at first quite innocent and
humble. as he mildly requested that Miss
Simmons would take charge of the aspiring
colored damsels, but Miss simmons declined
to do SO. She stated to Boothby that she
had performed her whole duty when she re-
ceived applicants from the schools in her own
district without regard to color, and she
would not go beyond that duty and accept
scholars from schools outside the limits.
Then Boothby waxed wroth and got excited,
and !" stormed around considerable, all for
the purpose of intimidating the lady. He
left, however, without having done SO, as
Miss Simmons remained firm in the position
which she had taken.
A gentleman, who had heard of the affair,
and who objects to individuals stamping
around" in the presence Of ladies, interviewed
Boothby at his Office, and he (Boothby), really
asserted he did not do anything wrong, or say
anything ungentlemanly, and promised to
address a note to Miss Simmons, requesting
her to state in note to the gentleman "a
friend OF the LADY, whether or not his Booth
by's) conduct was of q nature to give ofense.
Boothby may have written the note, and he
may not, but he last evening called on Miss
Simmons and apologized for any and every
thing in his actions that she might consider
disrespectful to her or the young ladies OF
her school,
The apology was accepted, and thus the
matter ends.
Boothby has asserted all along that he is in
no manner responsible for the attempt to mix
the schools; that the School Board is alone
responsible; that he is but an executive Off
Ger Of the board, and must obey 1t.
Uuder the circumstances, the question sug-
gests itself, Who instructed him to take the
acton above set forth? Was he not rather
too willing servant, and did he not undertake
to perform more than his stipulated duty?