The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-27

wen, 10 cut my STORY hnOIbI tuo ulieoi-
able little tad took prizes over Packs head
and mine, sir DR.. Beebe was delighted,
and went about mentioning him to the visi-
tors as ''one Of the Da Coetas of the West
Indies, sir Our establishment has a wide
spread reputation, sir"
You may bet we boys were mad. How
ever the story leaked out that Leon wal 60
ing in, the next day, for the prize for orig
inal Grafton and we knew he'd get 30
thrashed there he'd remember it all the days
of his life. Pack had always had a dead
sure thing on that.
Sure enough, when the programs came
out, there was "human rights" by Master
Leon da Costa.
"What does that little rat know about
human rights" Pack said, 30 loud that old
Beebe heard him.
o "Msster Da Costa belongs to q most re-
spectacle and cultured family, and has had
every opportunity of knowing what rights
belong to man." he said.
Well, sir, the hall was crowded on exhi-
bition day. 1t really was only the big school
room; but when the platform for the speak
ers was up and the windows trimmed with
pine we call it the hall. All the trustees
were there, and everybody from the town.
Tit Markles came in their carriage, with
bouquets, ready to throw to Pack when he
should win. But none of us thought what
kind of a victory he was going to have.
The other exercises lasted for an hour or
two, and then the doctor called =
Competition for original Grafton. Messrs
Markle and Da Costa"
There was a buzz all about il, and then
the band played while Pack walked up to
the platform. He had that Grafton on
"chivalry in 1876" 1t was very fine, in
deed-all about the American gentleman,
and his bravery and courtesy and all that.
We boys stamped whenever he stopped TO
draw breath.
After he was done, little Da Costa went
up. 1 never saw him look 30 little or skim
ny or yellow but his big black eyes were
burning. He was excited to that degree,
sir, that his hands shook as if he had the
palsy but he kept his voice steady. There
wasn't much in his Grafton. Anybody
could understand it. 1t was only that ev-
cry man had a right to education, and all
that. That, if God gave him a brain, men
had no right to hinder him from using it.
But when he talked of poor children, who
cannot be taught or fed or have any chance
the fellow was in such deadly earnest that
somehow it made you SILVER, and come Of
the ladies cried. My own opinion is that
such children have a very good time moth
ing but loafing all day long. However, the
audience took Icons view Of it, l suppose;
for they clapped tremendously, and called
him up three times, and everybody whis-
pered: "West Indian. E. Enormously
rich !"
Nobody was surprised, when the first
prize was called, to hear master Da
Costa"
AS soon as it wa presented to him, with
q little speech from the doctor, the perfor-
mances were over, and everybody crowded
up to the platform where he was, the ladies
saying, "Oh what q dear little fellow !"
and asking to be introduced to him. The
doctor stood, smiling, his hand on his Shout
der, and introduced him right and left to
the ladies and trustees, always giving his
first name and where he was from. Just
at that moment, what should l see but old
Gambo Politics. black face thrust in among
the rest, in the crush about the doctor,
right next to Mrs. Markle, in her diamonds.
The old mans eyes were full of tears. Old
Beebe caught sight of him.
"What are you doing here, sir ?" he whis-
pered shortly, pushing him back. "The
old fellow has mistaken his way to the
kitchen. Yes, judge, this is our most PROM
| ising scholar, Master Da Costa, son of
Senior Manuel da Costa of the West In
dies"
The little chap had been growing paler
and paler since the applause began but at
this he drew back, cropped the prize books
on the floor and faced the doctor.
cts not true" he said slowly. "My
name is Joe Polite, and | am Old Gumbo's
| son !" And he darted after the darby and
threw his arms about his neck. "Come
back, father" he cried.
There was an uproar then, you may sup
pose. 1t all came out. Old Gum had saved
money, and wanted, he said, his boy to have
the same chance as other boys. OF course,
| he couldn't be admitted to Beebe's, being
a darby SO the old fellow had played this
trick.
"why hab yoh done dis, chile ?" he cried
wriDging his hands.
81 couldn't act a lie any longer" said
Leon, stubbornly. SIN the same boy ]
was yesterday !" looking at the doctor. "IT
study as well, pay as much, be as good
fellow every way and my skin will be nc
yellower. Why cannot l stay?"
Old Beebe actually hesitated, pulled and
wiped his face, and looked about uncer.
tainly. Then it was Pack showed the
stuff he was made of. He spoke oul
boldly.
you can do as you please, DIR. Beebe.
But if you choose to keep this niger in
your school l leayo it,"
"And l."
al"
81" called out all the boys.
"Yes, yes, undoubtedly" said the doc.
tor. 81 never approved OF mixed SCHOOLS
ladies and gentlemen, even in the case where
the government has authorized one. The
West Point cadets have nobly shown theii
disapproval of the plan. l am informed
that the colored cadet is not recognized by
them as a human being. Leon-I NEAR
Joe, you will go with your father. You
property shall be sent to his cabin this af
%ternoon."
So Master Ds Costa walked of with the
old man. He looked from side to side, al
he passed through the school but not
boy would speak to him, except little Char
ley Patmore, who broke ranks aud threw
his arms, about his neck, crying 81 low
you, Leon. You've been awfully good L
me. i want you to come to our house, Sat
urday."
''You forget! You are whitel" said thu
little darby, quietly, and he put Charley
aside and went on.
Well, that was the end of it. Pack wen
back to his old place in the school, anC
non of the boys ever took 1t from him
though they all tried to be like him.
Old Gumbo disappeared. / heard thai
he had taken Leon to a college for coloreC
boys, saying that he would show, some day
that there was better stuff in him than il
Pack Mackle.
SHE may do it" old Beebe said, when
carried the news to him. Packard is-well
we'll not be critical" chuckling. "But i
won't avail, in the long run. Young Pot
tie is handicapped heavily, sir. He can
change his skin, and we must consider tn,
skin We must consider the skin !"