St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-11-06


his face, any one who saw it would
have been struck by the fineness of its
outline, and the thoughtful depth OF
expression in the large bright eyes
which attracted the notice of all who
saw him for the first time, although
no one could easily have guessed then
what he was one day to be. But JUST
ut that moment wild Davie, as
he was very justly called, was busy
with very mischievous piece
of sport, indeed-nothing less than
the dressing up of a ''ghost to
frighten his playfellows. In the dark
recess at the end of the corridor stood
a marble statue of Apollo the Archer,
with one arm outstretched as if in the
very act of bending his fatal bow.
Outlined in its ghostly whiteness
against the deep gloom bchindit. it was
a startling sight at the best of times;
but beneath the skillful hands of our
hero it was fast growing into monster
that might have scared General Grant
himself
Leaving the long white neck stand
| ing out bare and spectral against the
darkness, he folded black cloak
around the body. letting the cold. dead
wbiteness of the marble peep out ev-
cry here and there. Upon the face he
fixed hideous red and black mask
| with staring eyes. while over the ex-
tended arm he hung Il white cloth with
a crimson handkerchief pinned to it.
which at little distance looked terri.
bly like a broad stain of blood. Around
the lower limbs he wrapped piece
/ of yellow Chinese silk, twisted up so
as to look like coiling snake: and
then, by way of finishing touch, he
placed at the monsters feet. small
lantern, lighting up all the ghastly de-
tails with a weird, unearthly glare
.Hon't it make 'em jump chuckled
he, as he stepped back to took at the
effect of his work.
If any one had told Davie at that
moment that he was PLAYING very
cruel and cowardly trick, which had
frightened many children to death and
scared many more into hopeless IDIOTS.
he would have been greatly surprised
and shocked; for. with all his Thought
lessness, he was thoroughly kind
hearted. But all that he thought OF
was the fun that it would be to himself,
little dreaming that he was just about
to receive a lesson which would cure
him of playing such tricks for the rest
of his life.
Just then a loud voice was heard
calling ou: from the foot of the stair:
..Dayie, Davie! where are you?
Come along. quick; were going to
drive round by the lake. and watch
the sun set over the mountains.
And wild Davie' went off like a
shot.
The drive lasted so long, and there
were so many things to be looked at
on the way. that by the time they got
home again our friend Davie had for
gotten all about the fnghtful sem
tinel that he had left standing ut
the end of the upper corridor.
and went racing along it ut full speed
to get to his room. The next moment
.. a howl of terror startled the whole
house. and three or four OF the serv-
ants. hurrying to the spot in alarm.
found Davie lying on the floor. hall
fainting with fright. in fiont OF the
monster which he had himself dressed
up. All that followed may easily be
imagined the rush of the whole house
hold to see what had happened. the
wonder, the dlSmay. the seedlings
heaped upon poor Davie. and (hariest
of all for him to bear) the loud laugh
of the other boys rs they realized how
neatly he had been caught in his own
, trap.
But there was one person there who
did no. join in the laughter. and that
was quiet old gentleman with long
Grav beard-at that time one Of the
: most celebrated artists in Britain-whe
! had just come down to the country fol
a few weeks holiday.
; .This boy has the eye of an artist.
said he, looking keenly at the terrible
figure. ..He will be heard Of yet.
And the old man was right No
many years later Wild Davie wa'
! famous throughout all England -
: David Scott. the painter--Dartd her
IN Harpcr's Young People.