Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-09-12

THE Man WHO WAS KICKED.
But, Nevertheless, a Man whom All the
Camp Found Cause TO be Proud OF.
New York sun.

New York sun
first saw Davis at H Academy,
when, mt the beginning of the spring
term in 1850, he sidled into the further
end Of seat to lean against the wall.
He was then about twenty-seven years
of age. \ tall, gaunt, awkward man,
clad III Il faded, ill-titting suit of home
spun, and walking with an undecided,
hesitating gait, with his head thrown
forward, and one uncertain hand help
lessly rubbing n receding chin, was the
figure presented Us he went ont OF the
hall mt the close of prayers. lntirmlty
Of purpose was written all over him,
He had an air of being cd without ever
having been young. His face was
long, with large features, high cheek
bones, a long nose, prominent mouth,
and il rectding chm, from which 4
Struggling whisker protruded certain
way, AS though in doubt whether to
grow longer or disappear altogether.
Ii was very weak face, with IN lntirm
culver of the hardly closed lower hp,
and vacllating. half timid eyes of n
very pale blue. Its weakness and in
decision might have been comical had
not an expression of earnestness and
seriousness made it pathetic. His
speech was hesitating and appealing, as
though craving constant indulgence for
his temerity when speaking mt all. Yet
there was such assurance ofhis hearers
sympathy and help, that ii generally
carried It's point.
From the time when Davis first
sidled into the seat and leaned against
the wall for support, he continued lean
ing, only exchanging the wall for his
classmates, or indeed any one who
would carry his weight. No sooner did
his support give way IN one direction
than he transferred himself to another,
and leaned all the harder. During the
wears OF his academieal life his manners
retained their primitive rustlclty,
despite the constant attrition to which
they were subjected at the hands OF his
fellows. His taste in dress tooEno turn
for the better; his bearing and gait
changed not an iota; and when he set
out on foot for the hill region whence
he came, he seemed exactly the same
old young man that had sidled nupon
us three years before.
a short time afterward | learned that
he was teaching the school OF his native
village. 1t turned ont, however, that
he carried his habit of leaning even with
him there. He asked the advice of his
pupils as to what ne should DO so ire
auently that they took advantage Of his
weakness to do pretty much as they
pleased. They barred the master out,
refused to attend recitations, save AT
their own pleasure, and otherwise en-
Dyed themselves to such an extent that
the Trustees felt compelled to demand
his resignation on the ground OF lack OF
government After that ne went into
the country ar. taught district school
boarding round among his pupils. 1t
was while thus engaged that he became
temporarily resident in the family OF a
small farmer, possessed Of a .grasplng,
questionable character, and several
daughters for some time In the matrl
monial market. These latter were thin
sharp-faced, managing maids, who par
took Of the unattraCtlve characteristics
of their sire. The most unattractlve
perhaps, of them all set her eyes upon
Davis. in lack of better material, and
actually became his wife before that
heCitatng person had decided what tc
coin the matter. After this he drfted out
of my knowledge, and his memory, with
that Of other class associates, RAPIDLY
merged into the sere and yellow leaf 81
recollection.
In the summer of 1871 | Was one Of a
semi-t fficial prospecting party in West
ern Dakota. We intended to penetrate
the Indian country as far as the Sour
River. near the British line, returning
hy the way of the Black Hills, ifcircum-
stances permitted. The dozen men
constituting the party were all heavily
armed, and we had, by way Of lmpedl'
ment, three mule wagons. The day
before we started from the small town
which, for the fortnight previous, had
been our headquarters, a tall, round
snouldered man sauntered into the
camp, and, leaning against wagon.
wheel, looked kindly but lnquirlngly
about. He wore long coat OF alpaca
Of ecclesiastical cut, and wideawake
hat, fustian trousers and low CATER
tied With a StrlDS. MS lace was Iopb
and its features large, and setreatlng
mouth. almost destitute Of teeth. gave 9
greater prominence to his rather lon.
gated nose. He carried black silver
headed stick, and altogether he was a
curious mixture Of the clerical with the
rustic. After being made the butt q
considerable ridcule, be expressed, u
hesitating way, his desire to 60 to tht
Black Hills. And when | returned Z
camp toward evening, ! found 81 stran
ger added to the party az the GUIDE
philosopher, and friend Of one OF tht
mule teams. a glance at the awkward
figure was enough. It was DAyls. How
he came there was told in asingle on
u hls hesitatlng sentences.
You see, Mrs. Davis left me, anc
took UP with a neighbor Of ours.
suppose ! was too slow for her. But
thought il might make her uncomfort
able 70 have me living 30 close BY; 50
came west