The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1897-05-22

i i |: ! ] !.
X H(MO fourth Infant
n1A ~ ~ ~ were sit
W. a K. Az ting arount
w. Y>N their mess-ta
,NX< W. BILE in Castle
SNHNAE town, the cap
@Yzk2AXz. ital of the ISL
T%Z&NssN\H of Man, on
NGNN v evening more
Il ~/ Y than thirty
y years ago
that is. all of them except one; but
then, that was only Jones. Nobody
minded Jones; even his peculiaritie.
had begun to be an old subject fol
"chafing," and, indeed, he had paid
such small attention to their "chaf.
fing" that they had come to find i,
little pleasure, add, after some weeks
of discomfort, Lieutenant Jones had
been allowed to choose his own pleas.
ures without much interference.
These were not extravsgant. A
favorite book, long walk in all kinds
OF weather, and sail when the wealth.
or was favorable. He would not
drink-he said it hurt his health he
would not shoot-he said it hurt his
feelings; he would not gamble-he
said it hurt his conscience; and he
did not care to airt or visit the bellies
of the capitalize said it hurt his af-
fections. Once Captain de Reuzy
lispingly wondered whether it was
possible to "hurt his honor" and
Jones calmly answered that lit was
not possible for Captain De Reuzy to
do So"
Indeed, Jones constantly violated
all these gentlemen's ideas OF proper
hssavior, but for some Jason or other,
no One brought him to account for it.
1t " as easier to shrus their shoulders
andScall him "queer," or say, cit was
onl mes" or even to quietly assert
his g )ardice.
On evening Colonel Underwood
was discussing a hunting party tor..the
next day. Jones walked into the
room, and was Immediately accosted ::
Something new, lieutenant. I
find there are plenty OF hare on tho
island, and we mean to give puss run
tomorrow. I have heard you are q
good rider; will you join us?"
''You must excuse me, colonel;
such thing is neither in the way of
duty, nor my pleasure"
"?ou forget the honor the colonel
does you, said young Ensign Powell.
II thank the colonel for his courtesy,
but l can see no good reason for ac-
cepting it. am sure MY horse will
not approve Of it; and / am sure the
hare will not like it; and am not a
good rider. Therefore I should not
enjoy it,"
"You need not be afraid" said the
eolonel, rather sneeringly; ''the
country is quite open, and these low
Manx walls are..easily taken"
excuse me, colonel, I am afraid.
II l should be hurt it would cause
my mother and sisters great alarm
and anxiety. am very much afraid
OF doing this"
What was to be done with man 80
obtuse regarding conventionalities,
who had boldly asserted his coward
ice? The colonel turned away, half
contemptuously. and Ensign Powell
took Jones place.
The morning proved to be q very
bad one, with the prospect of rising
storm; and, as the party gathered IN
the barrack yard, Jones said earnestly
to his colonel:
III am afraid, sir, you will meet
with severe Storm"
Il think so, lieutenant; but We
promised to dine at Gwynne Hall, and
we shall get that far, at any rate. +"
80 they rode rather gloomily away
In the rain. Jones attended to the
military duties assigned him, aud
then, about noon, walked seward. 1t
was hard work by this time to keep
his footing on the narrow quay; but,
amid the binding spray and mist he
saw quite crowd of men going rapid.
y toward the great shelving Scarlet
Rocks a mile beyond the town. He
stopped an old sailor and asked:
us anything wrongy"
"A little steamer, sir, off tho Calf
OF Man. She is driving this way, an
indeed fesr she will be onta rocks
STORE ta.night."
Jones stood still moment and
then followed the crowd as fast a. the
storm would let HIM. When he Joined
them they were gathered on the sum.
nit OF a huge cliff, watching the
doomed craft. She was now in SIGHT
and it was evident that her seamen
had almost lost all control of her.
She must, ere long, be flung by the
waves upon the jagged rocks toward
which she was driving II +hal.,,,,