St. Landry democrat., 1888-01-28
time had learned q good deal of

10y W lediH us lnucH as he COulQ
JImpy proved very attentive scholar
and, although he was not possessed o.
extraordinary intelligence, he applied
himself SO diligently to his studies tina
l began to fear he would soon reach
point where he would have to procure
teacher of greater erudition thar
myself Now, although Jimpy was
not seriously disabled by his lame
foot, for many months harbored al
idea that he was, like most cripples O
all degrees, sickly.
| l discovered my mistake in this
wise:
| L had been annoyed more than once
by a young man named Harding
Physically he was splendid specimen
OF humanity. Morally and intellectu
ally he was the antipodcs of his phys
ical perfection.
| Not yet twenty-five, he owned the
finest farm in the county, drove span
OF thoroughbreds, and aped the city
boys in his dress. But he drank,
smoked and chewed tobacco to excess;
and, while he could talk of very little
but himself and his horses, he spiced
that talk with the coarsest of coarse
language.
AS have said, more than once this
not very attractive youth had forced
his company upon me. and, although,
when l was merely called upon to
passively endure his society, l had
tried not to offend him. Every time he
asked me to drive with him OF accom-
pany him to the village dances, I had
decidedly refused.
One day he came down to the school
house. 1t was four O clock on lovely
spring day. and l was just about to
dismiss the scholars. From my desk l
could see him through the window as
he hitched his team. and rightly
guessed that was the object of his
visit I began to summon the neces-
sary courage to meet him when l
should leave the school, but scarcely
anticipated his next move.
The door opened, and Mr.. Harding
gorgeous in light suit of ''store-
clothes, F." set off by flaming red neck
tie, marched to my desk.
He did not so much as remove his
hat, but, with peculiar wave of the
hand, said in a loud voice:
':How do, Miss Leonard! Nice day,
this, ant itp Guess you won't say
no to ride behind my animals, Ell?
Most of the girls are only too anxious to
sit in my buggy and / suppose you're
no different to the rest of emp
Then, turning to the boys and girls
who. with one or two exceptions,
watched and more or less admired
him with wide-open eyes and mouths,
he jerked one thumb toward the door
and shouted: "You kids, git now! It's
time to go home, anyway"
was astonished, but retained
en- ough of my senses to countermand
this unauthorized order.
1.-THE scholars will keep their places
until school is properly dismissed.
| said; and, aside to Mr.. Harding: IF
you wish to speak to me, kindly take
a seat for few moments. When the
scholars are gone shall be at
liberty
With an oath, uttered under his
breath, the fellow sat down, and Ipro-
ceeded to dismiss the school.
When I thought all were gone Itook
my hat and wraps and commenced to
move toward the door.
Well" came in rude and sulky
voice from Harding. 'sare you going
with me, or amt your
mr. Harding I replied, with as
steady avoice as could command, '.do
you think for moment lady could
accept such an invitation as you have
accorded me? No. sir. Good AFTER
noon. !"
We were then at the school house
door, and as I stepped forward to pass
out Harding planted himself just out
side the doorway, and taking my arm
with a strong grip shook me roughly.
By this time he was in a terrible pas
sion, and it was in disjointed sem
fences that he shouted:
"Oh, Tn not gentleman enough for
you-you, with your high city style
and notions; you would rather not see
me--don't want to speak to me-but
you shall see me-you shall speak to
me-you shall But as he bent for
ward. evidently intending, by sheer
force, to kiss me. a fist came between
my face and his, and half stunned by
telling blow between the eyes Richard
Harding lay stretched on the ground.
Turning quickly I beheld-Jimpy!
And although during all the months I
had been at school I had looked upon
him as ,boy-as a country lad, I'M
versed in the ways of the world, and
cripple to boot saw then in an
instant, what no true woman could
have failed in perceiying. that he was
aman with all the feelings instincts and
passions Of man. ! do not think
overstep the bounds of womanly mod
esty when I say that then knew, just
as well as If he had declared it in SO
many words. that Jimpy was not
merely prompted by an ordinary sense
Of chivalry. which would have led him |