St. Landry democrat., 1888-06-30
HE ExCAvATED WITH A vIGoR.

| N@-9l1@--A4I- -
| HE ExcAvATED WITH vIGoR.
/ sionally he went several rods away and
| breathed. when earth began to cover its
own his task became easier. He finished
| it, tramped back across the field with the
| spade, and they resumed their ride.
| An expression of intensity came out on
| Judiths face. The Colonel showed a qniet
smile, but he kept an alert and frightened
| eye upon her.
Without much talk thus they rode on to
Newark.
The procession was already moving in
| the principal streets; a gorgeous pageant
| full of banners, flower garlanded carriages,
| brass bands, the sweet faces of children
| and the gray heads Of honored old men. Be-
hind this array came molly gang of human
rag bags, masked and playing pranks
| mounted on lean nags.
Small boys exploded fire crackers on the
pavements. Cannons doomed as they had
| been booming since daybreak The crash
and extravaganza Of typical Independence
Day stirred all of Judith's blood with de-
light.
$50 and take that old woman to safe
seat" said the girl, suddenly. "She will
get hurt
The old woman indicated was profes.
sional beggar, who had chosen the curb as
her best vantage ground.
The Colonel beckoned to colored man
and paid him silver to stand at his horses
heads Then he went to the old woman,
and with her formed the center Of dense
crowd which thronged close to hear him
argue with her. She was deaf, blind, dumb
and pa1sied by turns She was lame she
1,n1n1 10 - Fol to A Gyva lolI 1{o
would not move her to any other seat, but
when his bid reached ten dollars she let
him lift her, and hobbled on his arm to
chair within a barber's shop, where he
gave her an additional five dollar piece and
paid the barber to let her stay, lest she
should return to her perch and his task
would have to be repeated.
Part of the crowd took him for tender
minded philanthropist and gave him advice
as to where he might soak his head. Others
inquired if she was his long-lost mother,
and a lot Of boys clamored after him for
fire-crackers, promising to move in any
direction he indicated
Without a word he returned to his car.
riage. He had just taken up the reins
when cries arose from the procession; with
lightning swiftness space opened for a
frantic horse, and it few, dragging the
rider by the stirrup
30 catch that horse?'' screamed Judith.
She would have given her life to take the
words back as the Colonel sprang from her
side She wrung her hands and covered
down upon the floor of the carriage, seeing
him tossed and dragged at the bride. She
hid her face and prayed alone as people in
stinctively do in utter helplessness. The
thuds and the raging clatter ceased; an al
ready excited multitude shouted, and she
raised her face to see the Colonel stepping
up beside her. He was covered with dust;
one coat sleeve was torn off. He had
bruise above his eye.
There's your horse,'' he said, fitting his
head toward the run away. Plenty of men
now held and soothed it, and stretcher
was already provided for It's injured rider.
He was to be taken to the hospital.
Judith set quite still beside the Colonel
as he turned his horses away from the pro-
cession
sWell, that's three, y tailed the Colonel.
"Only one more"
'sAnd Pm going to ask that now.''
ssLet fellow breathe suggested the
Colonel, ssand get himself repaired. The
business houses are all closed. can't even
get coat. So we most liant for dinner in
some inconspicuous spot
II won't let you breathe twice till / ask
the last thing" said Judith. II love you
now with all my might. I love you for pa
thence. love you for gentleness. love
you for heroism. My heart will burst,
love you SO ~
ssThis is hard,n murmured the Colonel,
when can't even kiss your hand befor
this crowd. y
Never mind. My soul is on it's knees
kissing your hands. And we have the
years
Eyes, we have the yearsl''
But the last thing I shall ask will be
hardest of all. And it is never to mention
these tasks that set you again.
aWhy, that's no task at all"
i" I think, may be, it might be in the long
rum said Judith, sagely, ssfor some
men, but not for you. will remember
them will remember them as four great
labors."
..Of the wild buffalo, said the laughing
Colonel.
Then, having turned into a deserted
street, he bent over and received her kiss
M RI rArnppwoop