St. Landry democrat., 1884-03-01
A MODERN KNIGHT.

| Susy PerciVal, and Jehoshaphat, HI:
brother, were both in the room. Susy
was binding her eyes and pricking hel
fingers over an endless seam in a shir
which Tom intended to honor her BY
wearing. Jehoshaphat, adorned with
long beard manufactured from the con
tents of his mothers cottonwood bag,
and spectacles confiscated from his
grandfather pockets, was lecturing to
an array of the dining-room chairs, IN
emulation of the wandering patriot who
addressed a crowded meeting in the Mu-
sic Hall last week.
1t was an old, Well-thumbed book that
Tom was reading. It was flied with
stories most wonderful to hear, of the
golden days of chivalry, when every
body was a knight, and every knight
fell to fighting with every other knight;
when beautiful young ladies were very
often lost in the woods, and every
knight that happened to come along and
find thenf4was instantly seized with q
desire to knock half a dozen other
knights on the head; when there were
encnantments and spells of fairies upon
earth; when the human race consisted
entirely of gentlemen and ladies; and
when disagreeable people, who will
have coarse hands and ragged clothes,
were never heard of. Altogether it was
a most charming book
"Do pull up that curtain, Sue! |
haven't got but half a streak of light in
this corner" remarked Tom. He con-
sidered employment good for his sisters
health, and used kindly to prescribe for
her, even when her business was most
pressing. That Susy. rising in haste to
obey his orders, should lose her thimble,
break her needle and tip over her work
basket did not in the least ruffie his
composure. Great minds are never dis
turbed by tribes.
All! but they were pleasant reading
these stories! There were the wonder
full adventures of Sir launcelot-
Launcelot the brave and bright, fairy
guarded, iron-armed, deadly in stroke
and gracious in pardon; he who was the
pride of the good King Arthur, and the
knights of his Table Round; who for
many a long year loved the Queen,
Guinevere the Beautiful, as never
Queen was loved before; who fought
with the fiercest and strongest of
knights that trod the shores of ssMerrie
and led warriors into battle
and conquered Kingdoms; who faced all
enemies, all hardships, all danger; who
would have yielded life itself for her
sweet sake.
Swords and daggers!'' exclaimed
Tom at last. What a stupid age we
do live in! No chance for chap to be
anything or do anything. The fair sex
9re not appreciated; they are not prop
arly defended. [ will be their cham
pion-I will fight for them-I will die
for themr'
'Oh, Tom! please do look out;yorl've |
got your feet on my sewing!n cried !
Susy.
'.Make those button holes smaller
han the last, said Tom, tripping out
# labyrinth of cotton and putting on
lis cap.
''Dear as the sisters at our firesidesn'
shouted Jehoshaphat, bringing down
10Th fists on his desk with a force that
Knocked off his spectacles. .'Where' re
ire you going, Tom?"
''Where are you going?" asked Susy,
aging down her work. Tom looked
inpatient. 1t was impossible, YOU
NOW, to make a girl understand his
creat schemes of adventure.
"Oh, won't you take me out skat-
ng9' pleaded Susy. i've got nv new
Hates, and I can't learn because 1 can't
% alone. All the other girls, brothers
% with them; I did want -
Couldn't possibly, interrupted
Tom, sporting his fathers cane. 1--WE
.ot SO much business on hand TODAY:
is out of the question-out of the
uestion. y
Sue, " said Jehoshaphat, meditatiye-
Y, 'swhat are your
What am IP A girl, I suppose!''
Will they fight and die and bleed
Or them?' began Jehoshaphat again.
franticaIly at his audience,
7hile he set them up against the wall.
Tom started out for walk, shoulder
1g his cane like amusket; then he re-
ected that knights did not have mus
cts, and tried to carry it like a sword;
ut it got between his feet and nearly
tipped himup. However, this was but
slight drawback in the career of pIo- {
= upon which he had entered, He
rould find all the fair maidens who
ere plunged in distress; he would be
leir deliyercr; they would smile upon /
i'm, and he would wear their favors.
Le would revive the old dead DAYS of
rivalry; lie would be dubbed Sir Per t
val, a new hero of romance, before /
HON even Launcelot's fame should
ale.
Have you found any of 'em yetP''
allied voice behind him. And there /
as Jehoshaphat He had followed,
nseen. all the way. and was now walk. t
g demure.y IN his brother Q footsteps, {