St. Landry democrat., 1888-02-11

lump in, which he did, and they were
soon flying back to Johnny Shay's.
"You know the way, don't you, IA
ther?" asked Paul.
'Oh, yes; I've been there a good
many times. But how came you to be
over in that part of town, and to find
out about johnny"
This was a hard question for Paul to
| answer. He stood somewhat in awe
of his father, and cared very much for
his good opinion.
.Why, Ned Wallace and I've"
He did not know just how to confess
| what now seemed to him such a con-
temptible trick. His father noticed his
confusion, and eyed him keenly for
moment.
"Wel, father" Paul said, frankly,
"Ned and started to do a mean thing.
We saw some comic Valentines in
window down street, and one of them
looked exactly like Johnny Shay. We
thought 'twould be fun to send it to
him; but we were afraid he wouldn't
| get it, and so we concluded to take it
ourselves, and leave it at the door. We
expected he'd chase US with his stick. "
"H-m-m!'' said Mr.. Dudley; land
did YOU leave the Valentine?'
mo, sir; for Johnny's mother was
crying, and we felt terribly ashamed
and sorry. Here it is. "
And he drew the crumpled envelope
from side pocket, where he had
thrust it with a vicious squeeze when
he left the Shay house. His father
took it from his hand, opened the
crushed envelope, and spread it out on
the robe over his knees.
"You thought it would be fun to rid
icule misfortune" he said, gravely
1--WE boys like to tease Johnny, you
know, Just to see him get mad said
Paul.
THAT is natural perhaps replied
his father, .'for Johnny is Il poor, fool
ish fellow, and boys do not always
stop to consider. But do You know
how he came to be crippled and lose
his wits?'
No, Paul had never thought to in
quire.
Il will tell you: In his youth, some
forty or forty-five years ago, he was
as bright as anybody. He was out
skating with dozen or more OF his
comrades one day, and one of them
broke through the ice, and came very
near being carried under Johnny
plunged in after him, brought him up.
kept his face above water until, with
great difficulty, the boys could get
, near enough to draw him out, and was
himself finally dragged from the icy
river with broken leg and other in
: juries In leaping into the water he
had struck splintered tree-trunk,
sunk in the bottom of the stream. The
prolonged chill resulted i'll partial
: paralysis. He never recovered either
his shape or his health. At one time,
I believe, he drank BADLY, and of late
years has seemed to grow rather fool
ish. But his old mother still thinks
, him the best boy in the world. .
BY the time Paul had heard this
much of Johnny's story they hae
reached the house. This was not Doc
, tor Dudley's first visit to them in sick
ness, and the old mother welcomed
q him with grateful tears. He examined
his patient gave him an anodyne, ant
j said he would return again before bed
a time.
!. Paul found Ned working out his re
a pentant shame at the wood-pile, ant
repeated the story he had heard.
1--WE never thought of Johnny Sha.
i as a hero, did we, NedP" he said.
s'Why didn't somebody tell us s.
e long ago, wonder?' exclaimed Ned
o who was very fond of heroes.
], As soon as Doctor Dudley's visit wa
/. finished, he slowed both boys in hi
e cutter and drove away.
I'll Father" said Paul, with some hesi
\ tation, 'sI'm afraid they haven't an
thing to eat there. wish I'd saved m
g ginger-snaps."
Cant we buy something's" sug
r gested Ned.
II was waiting to hear from 20
9 boys. Now, if you could wal
o all the way out to Johnny Shay
to carry a comic Valentine,
y wonder how hard task it woul
be to take some meat for broth, an
some tea and sugar, and other things
( to the old motherp''
n Both boys expressed their delight q
g being allowed to 60 back on this bel
l. ter errand.
81 have to change my horse, and g
= into the country some distance, bu
4 shall be back in time to see Johnn
again tonight. He is very sick. 70
n may go to the grocer's and order wha'
e ever you are willing to carry out there
. Get two pounds of round steak, 70
beef-tea, first, and then use your iuds
j ment about the other things"
If Here were motive and spirit very di
ferent from those of the first trip.
vi 81 can't very well send these thing
e out tonight, !" the grocer said, as b
Il E. Al