The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-06-23


the dimensions given. Well satisfied
with his shrewdness, Jones dotted down
the answers, and passed the applicant
to Brown. Brown is the cattle-king of
the county and had Just staked of
ground for big corral. He had en-
ployed an Irishman who had been
NAVY on the railroad to dig the ditch
for the pickets, at SC much per cubic
yard of earth excavated. He wanted
TO find out exactly how much his bill
would be, and he asked Miss Green
She told him. This closed the exam
nation. The Trustees consulted few
minutes and gave her the school.
"She lasted q month. Smith mixed
his sheep dip according to her figures
and ran through his flock. The next
day the herders reported sheep dying,
and, despite every effort to save the
woody animals, they continued to drop
off until his flock was diminished one
third. He learned then that the dip
had been made about three times the
requisite strength. The schoolmarm' S
figures had lied, and Smith was furious.
Jones made out his lumber bill and sent
the order to the merchant. The amount
ordered was large one, but Jones was
good, and, after some little delay, his
order was consigned to him. 1t took a
whole train of cars to transport it, and
he nearly went crazy when he found
that there were enough shingles alone
in the consignment to cover half the
houses in the county and joists and
planks enough for the new State Capt.
toll.
"Two years ago was employed, and
have been here ever since. like the
place and the people, and, if say it
myself, have school to be proud of. ;"
The children were beginning to arrive
as he finished speaking, and he invited
me to stay and inspect the school.
There were about fifty pupils, varying
in age from seven to twenty. All over
sixteen were pay scholars. Two-thirds
of the school were MexicaDs or half
breeds. The latter were the brightest
and quickest to learn. Many of the
children could not understand a word
of English when they first entered the
school and were unable to read and
write Spanish. For my benefit several
of the scholars recited little memorized
speeches in both languages. l thought
the performance very creditable, and
told the schoolmaster so that night.
Eyes" he answered, :. they do very
we'll Did you notice that large boy sit
ting at the further left-hand desk?"
..The one who recited The Burial of
Sir John Moore in English and then
repeated it in Spanish?"
Yes. Two years ago he did not
know his A b Cs
''He must be twenty years old. !"
Just twenty, and at eighteen he was
as large as he is now His father Is u
wealthy cattle owner. and this boy is
the only child. He had been petted
and spoiled from birth. In the States
that would make a sap here it makes
desperate. He ruled the roost at
home, and his father could do nothing
with him. He cursed and smoked,
gambled and drank, and always went
armed. His father wanted him to en-
ter the school as a pay scholar and /
consented to receive him. He did very
well the first three days and then was
absent. l sent q note to his father in
quiring the cause. He replied that the
Young ruflian refused to go any more,
and adjured me to use my authority and
compel him to go. One of the smaller
scholars informed me that the truant
was out on the side of the mountain
armed with a Winchester and six
shooter. sent him word to come into
school and be punished for truancy.
He told the messenger to tell me to go
to hades.' / deputized four of the
largest boys to go after him, and Or
dered them to bring him into school if
they had to knock him down and tie
him. They returned back in about half
an hour and reported that he had
stood 'em off with his Winchester.
Thereupon placed the schoolin charge
of one of the larger scholars, loaded up
my Winchester and walked over to the
mountain. After little search l found
the young ruffian. He was sitting be-
hind rock, and before he was aware
of my approach had him covered.
Throw up your hands, Thomas!'
commanded.
"He hesitated moment and obeyed.
Then made him step off little dis
lance and took possession of his Win
chester and sfx-sh00ter.
What yer goin' to do?' he whined.
al intend to take you to the school,
house, first. Thomas, and then punish
you in the presence of the whole school.
"'Gimme my gun and six-shooterr'
he yelled, and started toward me.
Il raised and cooked my rifle and
halted him.
Thomas said, you know that
am dead shot. Do exactly what tell
you to do or l will kill you"
He hesitated moment and then
marched sullenly away toward the
school-house. With the assistance of
two OF the largest boys tied him up by
the wrists and administered an admoni-
tory lecture and good thrashing with
live-oak switch. He beloved like
mad steer and made all sorts of PROM
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