Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-10-18

and in q wonderfully short tim,
to read. Then | followed with aritl,.
metic and grammar, and 1 used Il
read O him Of great men and tllei1
noble deeds. His favorites wer,
Franklin and Washington, especially
the former.
'Ile were poorer than me buI
want he splendidr Jim would say
with glowing cheeks.
The winter passed March came
and my school was finished, but jim
and ! continued tho lessons, as the
mine survey that l was to take charge
Of would not begin for q month.
One day he came in with u bright
face.
'Jost think, Boss, I've got q sitter
walton, an I'll git money, too
WHAT'S the sitcrvation, Jim = said
!, handing him q chair. He perched
gingelly on the end of it, folding his
arms in q way that reminded mo of a
night in a tumble down but by the
canal.
'lt's q menl- driver on the canal, >
said he, proudly. 4 gifts u dollar u
week an my vict,,als.'
4 am very glad,' said l, wishing l
could do something for this indie
pendentmite buLhe always refused my
offers. How will you Get on with
your lessonsq'
Il kin study on the track when Pm
drivin,' an evenin's too.
This was our last talk, for he do
parted for Philadelphia early the
next morning. The mine | was going
to survey was very pleasantly situa-
ted; in fact, the only drawback was
the character of the miners, who in
cluded in their humber some 'MolIies. l.
had the misfortune to offend one
of these men by knocking him down
for striking his child.
1t was done in the street and lie
gave the poor girl such a brutal blow
that my blood boiled. He cursed
me and muttered threats which often
would occur to me as walked
through the quiet streets and dusk,
smoking my evening cigar.
One night l took u row on tho river,
rowing in all the curves and inlets.
l found one which ran into green
meadow. followed it up.
Judge my surprise. For sitting on
a rock near the river was Jim, fgur-
ing sums with piece Of charcoal Oh
q board lis arithmetic lay beside him,
and he occasionally glanced at it.
4 can't get this ere sum, nohow,'
he said, with sigh.
Il think can help you,' said I. Nv
boat had come up so softly, and he
was SO deeply interested, tI'at my ar
rival Was u complete surprise. We
had q long talk.
I've give up drivin, and come here
with Marin Beckcr's son. Pm q goin'
ter work in the mine. He says there's
things kin do
Where do you stay9'
Over to the mems clearinghouse. !
| don't like it, he said, seeing look
cd grave; but hez ter like it, if | do
or not
Come to my rooms when you have |
time, said, rs we parted, and I will
read you some more aboutsFrnnklin,
your old favorite.' y
you kin depend on me- he valid.
Every time ] went down The mine,
! fancied there were ugly looks on
the faces of the men, looks directed
ls much towards the overseer as N.Y.
self.
He was a conceited fellow, and
thought the miners low as dirt be-
meath his feet. But he was a pleas
ant companion, and we used to enjoy
our mine survey, which was gener-
ally done at night, when the miners
were out.
Finally, my work was done. l had
only one night more, and l was very
glad ; for though my presentimcnt of
evil had not been realized, was still
uneasy.
An hour before we went down |
was sitting alone in my room, watch
ng the evening shadows falling soft
y over the mountains, when u little
hand was laid on my shoulder.
well, Jim p
1s there any one in here 2 lie wills
lered.
mo one said l, started at his pale
face. Il
Then l kin speak. Put yer head
IIde. The men are goin' ter shoot (
yG and the overseer when yer goes in s
Tho mine to night. They's got a
'radse agin yer an him. ] heard !
I'M plannin' last night, up ter the I
louise. Some of EMS MolIies, an !
'ley don't care what they does
Are you sure'' said !, a sick feel !
'Ds at my heart.
lure as truth. Don't yer go, will '
yea |
must do my duty, Jim. I will =
'endfor some of tue police now.' !
Head his hand on my shoulder, y
and fatencd those lustrous eyes on =
my fac. &
'Doesyer care fur me, boss7' "
yes, ,im.' 8
and lses me purity wc1l7' =
'Yery, cry much i
Then Ont yer go an git the per- ~
nee, i,'r II or does, Pm as good rs !
lead! o
lie kissed my hand with pas l.
''onate fervo, and glidcd out. +"
took my hyolver and went to the
'verseer's. H and my two COM
lannon's were ouipped for The mine. "
told them wht / had heard, and q
We concluded toyait till morning. a.
4 expect said the oye,seev. "that h