West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-03-15

hOhitO 10 It's weight
II he had rescued Jean Baptisse from
a terrible fate, the Acadian could not
have been more vehement in his express
slons Of gratitude. In a queer patOis of
French and Engl sh, mixed with hyster-
ical sobs, he poured forth his thanks.
The stranger sauntered ,eisurely after
him, and watched with keen ewes the
markmanship of the Acadians.
"Jean Daptiste isn't half bad shot. y
he said TO himself, "but the bows too
nervous. Dare say he'd have done bet
ter II he hadn't been tearing his nerves
to fiddle strings this evening. Funny
people, these Acadiausl Too excitable
aud noisy ever TO make good marksmen. -
That night, In the loft which Jean Bap-
tiste shared with him, the boy confided
20 him his reasons for wishing to win
the great prize. He sat on his mattress.
his great brown eyes luminous with ex.
eltement, aud hiss.expressive gestures
piercing out his imperfect speech.
n on see, monsieur,1 vas born here,
and nevaire haf been feefty mile from
ze prairie. You see tall tree far of in
ze mardis' haf uesaire been more far.
l climb II, / look far out say, Jean
Baptiste Avran, II yon had a pony
Tor your own, you could run away. You
could gallop, gallop into ze big world,
and, who knows, make heap Of money
" All, or nd DicU, ! is so tired " throw
ing ont his arms with tragic gesture.
- Is not n cow; is not a horse. to be
glad and satisfy because &c grass is fine.
want togo far Off to see people, TO learn
to read. Monsieur, when strangers come
here, not good, not kind Ike you, zey
laugh at us Zey say. You rannohread
or write you know notbin'; you are no
more Zan yonr beasts Non, non. strik
ing his breast, 81 will go avayl l will
not stay herel"
i" You would leave your father. your
friends!" the officer said gently. "My
poor boy the world isn't quite heaven. y
. 1t may be bad, yes 1t may hurt me.
put IT vii not be &c prairie. All, choke
here" .sra
In plain words, you want a change.
and the officer laughed. You want the
pony to galop off into pitfalls. and
stumble aga INST walls. and to yet so
many knocks and tumbles that all the
Kings horses and all the Kings men
couldn't piece you into the old Jean
!. .Baptiste again. You don't understand a
word ] sayi was Just talking to my
selfyoa sec and youneedn'tuuderstan
80 to sleep, and sleep soundly if You
want to shoot we'll Noth.nylike rood
nights rest to steady the nerves"
About ten O'Clock next morning sew
eral haadred people assembled at the ap-
pointed place. In the open prairie, tie
?atgo fastened to a tall pole fluttered its
gay strcanors in the .brceze. aud Inc at
tention OF the Acadians seemed divided
between the bird and the stately younp
officer who lowered above them all, his
keen eyes taking in every detail Of the
scene.
Z tile lookslike st. Michael, Whispered
one. The picture in the church.. "
'Bahf' answered the other St.
Michael IS angry, he is tramping the
dragon. That man looks as cold as ice,
his face never changes, though he is
handsome. Yes he Is bcadtifQip
The shooting began, but somehow It
was unusually bad. After twenty shots
the Patgo's ribbon plumaee stiII waved
defiance. Neither wings nor head had
been brought down. ~ tlt tftlts
'Will not monsieur takcsOme chance7~
said one of the jndges, in very good Eng
lish, approaching the stranger.
"YeS ] will take four. but after Jean
Baptistc Avran. II is bis turn, now"
3 Jean Bnptiste's first shot was tolerable
as il struck the wing Of the bird. but
without bringing it down. In the next.
his nervous excitement had got the bet.
ter Of him, aud his Shot few over the
head OF the bird. Tie had taken but
three chances, and his last shot was so
deplorably wide Of the marx, that n
mocking laugh from the competitors
saluted It. at5 aHttE
"Aha, Jean Baptistel" cried one,
thou didst not say thy prayers last
night Get out of the way, mon gars'.
and let the strnnge lnonsieur try his
The officer took his rife from jean
Baptiste and smiled at his downcast
face. lie examined the weapon, loaded
II IN his cool, deliberate mar,ner md
tax ng his position, carclessly raised IL,
and, without apparently looking at the
Patgo, called out.
This Tor, the light wing Of your
The shot rang out, and the wing lay
ON the ground.
"This for the headfn
The ribbons which had adorned that
pOrtiou Of The Fatgo gave last hutter
as it swoOpod down.
"And tbs for The ponyln
As the bird fell, perfect storm or
rage arose in the crowd
"Unfairl" "Chcatery 2" "The Pafuo
should not have fallen FOR on hour yetis
"Be is n sorcorer" "lIe is a devilip
"Robberw "Vile Americana
The officer did not understand them.
but he sass thfe itening faces and pestic-
ulating arms, as the crowd pressed
closely to him Re cOolly loadeI ii.
rife, and, standing with his back to "a
large tree, waited for an attack. his Inn
passive face as calm as IN he had been
among friends Jean Baptisle, his boy
ish faco glowing with indignation. and
his eyes flashing defiance, sprang to his
side
"zey is mad rhe cried. "zey want.
10 fight you'll COward5l Aha. / has n
gun y holding IL up "T vill help you "
1.-TWO against two hundred" said the
officer cooily, with smile HIrs long
odds, my boy, "but I'll Try TO hold my
post. You must keep out Of the mess
For the life Of me j don't know whas
The beggars arc bowling about. but all
the same il they attack me I'm ready"
Bat there were some cool heads in that
crowd They dashod about AMONG me
turbulent crowd, scoidinqa at the vcrv ton
of their voices, aod giving heavy blows
right and left 20 some Of the fufious