St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1889-10-26
A PRACTICAL PROOF.

The one important mail of the day had
come to certain country village In New
England, and Postmaster Pike was as busy
as a bee in distributing it among the little
pigeon holes of boxes. The post-otflce
being also village store, there was, OF
course, heterogeneous company OF men
and boys sitting on counters and barrels,
ostensibly waiting for their mail, while
stray woman was impatient for the post
master to resume his functions as store
keeper. and measure her off yard or two
of calico.
Il say, Pike" exclaimed lankey indi-
yidual. what a powerful sight O stuff
ye've got to day, ha'n't yep
ooh! fair to middlin',' answered the
postmaster sit amt worth much for
quality, though, nothin' but parcel o cir
culars. Naow then, gentlemen, step up
to the cap'n's office an get your mail.
After the grown men had been disposed
of, a couple of boys presented themselves
at the postal window.
'tNothin' for ye, John Joy, an Arthur
Payson," said Mr.. Pike, "cept yer weekly
paper an them circulars. Every family
in taown's got one of EN-"
AS the boys walked out of tLe' post of
fee and store and started on the road home
each pulled out circular from it's unsealed
envelope and perused it.
"Pretty good stuff. Ell p cried John Joy,
the older youth of the two. ''The 'Socl-
ety for the Relief OF the Cold and Hungry
invite us to contribute something, no mat
ter how little, toward the charitable work
it is carrying on in the city. AS if we didn't
know what to do with our money nearer
home -
''There's no end to these begging let
ters," rejoined Arthur Payson. 81 hope
father doesn't give them a cent. Why
should they make such fuss over the
cod and hungry people in the city
When we're cold and hungry here in the
country, we have to grin and bear it"
"Pooh what's cold and huuger?' Johr
JOY exclaimed with all the contempt of
warm and well youngster. ''WhatE
cold and hunger? I've just been reading
some voyages up in the Arctic resle9s
1t was so mighty cold, that the mems
breath smoked like steam, and the fros
nj oped their noses in less than no time
Aud they got so hungry, that on on'
sledge Journey, they just eat the seal ski
boots off thesr feet. But not man died
and | don't doubt that they were all thu
healthier afterwards for what they hat
been through"
"Dear me how I'd like to be an Arcti
yoyager or some sort of hero p said tn
Younger boy. negotiating in the countr.
here. we never have chance to show tb
stuff we're made Of
'tsee here, Arthur" spoke up his com
panion, GIVE got an idea. We both thlni
it's all nonsense so much sympathy on thu
poor, Just because they happen to be colo
and hungry sometimes Now let's prov
practically, that cold and hunger are moth
ing to endure. 1t will be quite an adven
ture, and we shall show bit of heroisn
in it."
ssThat would suit me exactly" answers
Arthur readily; "but how can we max
such practical proofT'
I'm this way" proceeded John Joy
"Let US steal away from our homes an
hide ourselves in that deserted old bar
up on the hill road over there. Well tax
no food, nor any extra clothing, and wei
learn by experience how it feels to be col
and hungry. 1t will be something like
r voyage to the Arctic for u.s.
''What fun it would be p said youn
Payton. "But won't the folks at HON
worry about us?'
"They need never know what were u
to, replied John. "You tell your fathe
YOU want to spend few days over GU
way, and my father can't object to my e
ing over your way for time. AS the bar
is about half way between our houses, W
sha'n't be tie ling a lie."
'Well I'd like nothing better in til
world than to try the adventure, declare
Arthur Payson, and the details were imm'
; diately discussed and agreed upon.
Three days later Farmer Joy and Farme
Payson, two as well-to- do farmers as an
in their township, happened to meet at tt
post office, which is to every country vi
iage what the Rialto was to Venice In i
palmiest days. m
.sGoin' to adopt that boy O mine p sa
Farmer Joy to Farmer Payson. "Tll hay
: to send bill for the loss O his service
! This springy sort O. weather, between co
an warm, makes US stir our stumps livel
An Pm getting rather short o hands ju
, naow, an want John back to his wo1
: agin.'
"What in creations name do ye mean
answered Farmer Payson 81 hain't La
ewes on hide or hair O. yer John. But VIII
want to know is when ye're goin' to sol
: nv Arthur home ag'in. sha'n't pay ye
s cent for his board, SO you can jest put tn
d in yer pipe an smoke it"
Is The two worthy farmers stared at ea'
: other in unfeigned astonishment, and Il
d result of mutual inquiries and explanation
n was to convince them that their two DO
>, had either deliberately ran away or becor
: the victims of some severe and possib
fatal accident. The fathers hearts we