The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-09-22

He'd always join, a week or two ahead;
Ana Inougn no verses he had ever learned
Tired to look serious like and deep concerned
And az some good boy he was sitting near)
Would answer every question, loud and clear
1"as strange, when near the time of feastinf
How sure school was to get samuers name
~ ny. said teacher. rather prone to SCOT
mHe'l Il smell picnic full fortnight on
Twas strange, In different schools he rayaset
What various kinds of classes he'd be found
in. -
Three times he actually tried to pass
ana once appeared trough brick-bat among
n In small. timid infant class Of girlsl
but in whatever company he came
His appetite stood by him ali the SAM.
no picnic ne r, in weather foul or pleasant
put sam and stomach managed TO be present
ana Wnen, with innocent, unconscious air,
He placed himself at table. firm and square,
with one eye partly closed the other 10 ok 2
lntently ut the different styles of cooking.
And when, with strengthening knife and
He brought himself down seriously to work.
anu marched through every dish in conquer
And ravaged all the adjacent territory.
Making the table for some distance round
LOOK ike hercely hard-fought battle-ground.
smile upon his placid face would fall,
AS II life wasn't failure, aftcS all.
But when the exciting dinner hour was
Sam Sam always felt quite uncaIled-for and alone;
rei' snuooed ana frozen and made quite game
Sights that he didn't even know the name NJ
Due wnicn ne sensed as keenly lido not doubt
As If some foe had tod him all about it.
He always felt by that vague feeling haunted
Inat nan9s around folks when they are not
Because a boy is greedy, dun and droyl.
Il needn't follow that he hasn't soul:
because ais stomach Graves more than its
Itsno sign he was born without a heart:
1nough ragged, poor, or coarse, or impollte.
i ne may resent wrong or feel sight
LIS dangerous work, this making game of
Thinking, perhaps, they do not heed your
Don't fool yourself; for. tentoone, they know
And feel it worse in laborinx not to showit.
Well, ON one day particularly fine.
Sam felt himself invited to help dine
n small grove, green, shady, fresh and cool.
a recently discovered Sunday school; 800
"nice ..r Mnen he'd joined, he'd muttered.
It's swell crowd; the boartrll be first-class. ;.
And 20 u was; and for an hour or more
T Mons Slew things as he never did before,
"nere an these victuals'd been all this long
And made the teachers feel great SURPRISE
That they 50 moderated their supplies:
AZ And In his stomach could not but confess
That lite to-day was one good, square success.
Then, after dinner, feeling perk and smart.
He tried to make a little social start.
And frisk and frolic round, like any other.
And be accepted as boy and brother.
But az me children shrank, with scarce-hid
From strange lad in such imperfect clothing:
And soon Sans face misty sadness wore,
AS II 20 say, Il b'lieye I'm snubbed once
II He tried e put them under obligations
In turning somersaults and hand-sprines led.
Whistied and sang, danced, stood upon his
Even tried . friendly sparrinx match. TIN
Right In the act, misunderstood, and shaken
lBy the strong mother OF the lad he battIedl
Ill the provisions in him fairly ratified.
But whatsoever he did, discreet or bold
1t seemed to drive him further in the cold
The grove was near river; on whose brink
SamneI SAT down, with lots of time to think,
With wit, ), happy children fitting to and fro,
And he thought, .No, iu ain's On m iana in "a
mand."
just then trim young miss came tripping
With golden hair, and more than handsome
eye: - y
And Sam remarked, his face full Of glad
crea5eS,
That's the smart girl that scooped em speak
wonder i she learned hers like a song,
~ made the speech up as she went along
She came out first, though last upon the ffrac,t
But spoke SO long it held the dinner back:
SIN. what she said was sweet an soothin' |
Bout how We all are children OF one Father
4 that's 20, she's half-sister unto me-
At least think ri speak to her, and see.''
Ie shouted, Miss tbs eres piea sne wa dsy
s-t see bounced on. more naughty than be-
and Sam Sam remarked. 81 b1ieve I'm .nunt,sa
once more 80"
While. roughly sad, the boy sat musi . vet
1e neaI az y. shout Help! help! our boat s up
Ind, following with his eyes the fear-edged
lam saw three children struggling in the
Ind two were rescued; one went meath .
ne waters closed above her ike grave.
ne sank apparently to rise no more.
nile frantic crowds ran up and down The |
md, mid the turmoil. each one did hts b n
It's the swell girl" thought Sam, .that's
made this row;
wonder how che likes the weather now.
Snv 2 ASI III ~ W dfsu y TOO Iuucu DOCner-
Good deeds for evil-children Of one Father,
rather think she's gone down there to sfav.
ne cant De yelled up, ii they try all day
onder, II should save her, ,twould Sc bold
We dove for pennies-s pose dive for roId. q +
hen throwing of his coat-what there Was Of
le plunged into the water, rose above il.
'innged in again, and came once more To air. /
rasping pretty, golden tress OF hair,
nd nne, stylish, shapely girl attached,
With pale, sweet face, and lips that with it
matched.
Ie held her up till strong arms came from
shore:
md soon she raised her eyes. and lived once
more.