St. Landry democrat., 1890-01-18
THE WATERPROOF MAN

ON one subject, "the Water proof Man"
Old Mrs. Huzzy had been the first to intro
ducs him. She was passing along the
''5ack road, when, from the bushes by the
roadside out leaped figure dressed in a
lady's water proof, the hood drawn over
his head, the face concealed.
Don't you tech me, or I'll lay you out
with this umbrel," she screamed, beating
a hasty retreat
The man followed at a safe distance,
dancing, making threatening motions, but
keeping out of the reach of the old lady s
''umbrel."
A few days later Farmer jerks was
driving slowly homeward late in the even
ing, when similar figure sprang at his
horse. Dobbin was so startled that he
took the bit between his long yellow teeth
and cantered home at rate that defed
pursuit, and also kept the farmer too busy
with the reins to find out what manner Of
creature his assailant was.
The same night young man and lady
were out walking, when the "Water- proof
Man" interrupted their conversation and
chased them home, the young man arriv
ing first {.
In respectable town like Shawsheen
this produced great commotion. The
constables were instructed to keep a good
lookout, the farmers locked their barns
and hen coops, and the ladies and children
stayed in the house after dark as much as
possible. Yet with all these precautions
reports came in, now from the West Par
ish, then from the South, and even from
the far off "Cape Deestrict," that the
"Water-proof Man" had been seen there.
To be sure he had done no harm, but that
he was hupgering and thirsting to, was
generally believed. Even the little child
rem knew all about the "Water- proof
Man." and greatly feared him.
Carrie and Belle, in their own special
nook in the grove, back of the house, dis
cussed him with great indignation.
CANT it awful" said Carrie.
"Terwible," echoed Belle.
81 should just think he ought to be"
She paushed for an appropriate penalty.
cash shamed," supplied her sister, with
long drawn indignant emphasis.
''Put in prison, continued Belle.
Il shouldn't be s'priZed if it was Tommy
Jones, said Belle, with sudden conviction
'fOh, guess not besides, he was tall
man."
well, Tommy Jones put sugar on
pieces of soap and gave it to Dell and me
for candy. 1t tasted awful, and think
he is real mean. And when | was wead
ing to my dolls and misprcnonnced Fn5igh-
bors,' he was hiding hind the fence, and
he laughed"
"What did you say stead of neigh
bors 7" asked the other, with curiosity.
Might bords," replied Belle, sturdily.
'"Thats what it looked like"
Carrie placed hand on each knee and
looked away into the quivering leaves that
shut away the outside world Belle, with
fat fingers clasped, happy that Tommy
Jones did not know where she was, al
lowed her mind to again grasp the exciting
topic with which the talk had commenced
the "Water- proof Man"
They had just got settled for deeper
discussion of the subject when the dinner
bell rang, and they were obliged to hurry
home. That very afternoon Bellies mother
went out for "short CALL" taking Carrie
with her. Belle, with permission to stay
all night, went to visit married sister
who lived not far away. Her brother, Hal,
was going to remain after school to an
evening exhibition. Mrs. Clemens "short
calP' became long one. as sick neigh
Dor needed her aid. Bellies long call was
very short one, because everybody was
busy, and forgot to repeat the invitation
that led her to bring her little white
"nightie "
So the evening found her all alone at
home. She had supper, chiefly of pie, and
then rocked her dolls to sleep, and settled
herself to read. 1t was slow work, there
were such long, queer looking words
some that didn't have any meaning at all,
like might bords," for instance. Still she
didn't enjoy stories with such words left
out.
When the shadows had first begun to
fall she shut the blinds and drew down
one curtain. The other was waiting for
Halls slow repairs. AS it drew dark, and
the clock struck eight, and then nine, she
began to wish that her mother would
come. 1t grew lonely very fast after the
last striking of the clock. No wagons rat
tied on the quiet country road, no foot
fall passed the house. She was not fright
ened. Had she not often gone up into the
dark attic in response to Halls s.dare,
when all the family were in the distant
kitchen2
AS she sat in her little chair there came
step on the narrow brick walk that led
to the door, and the handle was gently
turned. With glad smile the little one
started to open it. but for some reason
paused. If it was her mother, there would
be the gentle knock or the fumbling key;
If Hail. hasty rattle. Neither came, so
she went back and sat down again.
Soon, among the flowers and vines that
grew close under the window, came
heavy, crushing step, and the blinds swung
Open Still sitting in her chair, Belle
looked straight out and saw dimly tall
fgure-the Water proof Man |" As she
gazed with frightened eyes, the blinds
were closed, and again the door was tried
with steady, strong pressure
80 Lord, remember ep' whispered the
little one.
Unable to bear the bright light, she
turned it low, got the poker and sat down
on the floor under the table and waited.
When the pressure came strong on the
stout old door she raised her weapon all
ready 10 throw, and prayed:
go Lord, remember me-"
Dear, brave little Belle. Her prayer was
heard, and the stranger, or robber, or
forts and went away. Then, few min
utes later, mother and Carrie and Hal all
came at orce, and she was safe.
Just who the waterproof Man" was
the Shawsheen people never found out.
He went as suddenly as he came. Most
believed that it was some poor creature
who, like the demoniac at Gadara, wan
dered in the fields and woods, not know
ing what to do.
As for Belle, she spent little time in
worrying over him. Whether ewazy
man." a "dwank man" or 'swobner," she
knew that she was safe IN keeping SO
kind, so tender, SO watchful that no harm
could come TO her.-H c. Pearson, in The
Little Christian.