The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-03-18

HIS nedTt sun burned uercely. 10 nave
been called coward by the woman he
loved was thing not lightly to be for
gotten. His recent visit, to1, had been
particularly trying. In his soul he felt
that his words of comfort had been I'M
real; that, for all he had striven, he
had failed in his mission to the bereaved
mother. So he trudged across The moor
with slow step and bent head, giving no
heed to the summer beauties around
him.
He was about half way home when
his somber meditations were suddenly
interrupted. A man rose from the
heather, where he had been lying, and
stood in the path, barring the curater
progress.
"Now, Mister Parson," he said, with
menace in his thick voice and bloated
face.
Good afternoon, my man." returned
st. John, recognizing the brute of
week ago, and turning as red as tur-
key-cock.
"I'll good afternoon We, Mister Par
son! No! Ye don't pass till I'm done
wi ye," cried the man, who had been
drinking heavily, though he was too sea-
soned to show any unsteadiness in gait.
The curate drew back. what do you
want?" he asked. He was painfully
white now.
what do want" repeated the bully,
following up the question with volley
of oaths that made the little man shud-
der. ''I'll tell We what want. want
yer Apologize fumbIed with the
word-"apology for interferin' tween
a father an his kid. But l licked him
more'n ever for yer blasted interferin'."
"You internal coward" exclaimed st
John.
His opponent gasped.
"Let me pass" said the curate.
mo, We don't!" cried the other, recov-
ering from his establishment at hearing
strong word from parson.
ST. John gazed hurriedly about him.
The path wound across the moor,
through the green and purple of the
heather, cutting low edge here and
there and losing itself at last in the heat
haze. They were alone.
The bully grinned. "I've got We
now!"
"You have, indeed" said ST. John,
peeling off his black coat and throwing
it on the heather. His soft felt hat fol-
lowed. Then he slipped the links from
his cuffs and rolled up his shirt sleeves,
while his enemy gaped atthe proceed
ings.
''Now I'm ready" said the curate.
gently.
'Are We goin' to fight?" burst out the
other, looking at him as Goliath might
have looked at David. -Come on"
But the sentence never passed his
lips, being stopped by a carefully
planted blow from small but singular
ly hard fist. The little curate was
filed with a wild, unholy joy. He had
not felt like this since his college days.
He thanked Providence for his friends
the Indian clubs and dumbbells, which
had kept him in trim these past three
years. The blood sang in his veins as
he circled round Goliath, guarding the
giants brutal smashes and getting in
stroke when occasion offered. 1t was
not long ere the big man found himself
outmatched; his wird was
gone, his jaw was swollen and one eye
was useless. He made final effort and
slung out terrific blow at David. Part
ly parted, it caught him on the shout
der, telling him to the earth. Now,
surely, the victory was with the Philis-
tine. But no. The fallen man recoiled
to his feet like young sapling. and the
next that Goliath knew was, ten min
utes later, when he opened his available
eye and found that his enemy was bend
ing over him, wiping the stains from
his face with fine linen handkerchief.
Feel better?" said the curate.
swell, I'm"
Hush, man; it is not worth swearing
about" interposed his nurse. Now get
up"
He held out his hand and assisted the
wreck to its feet.
you'd better call at the chemists
and get patched up. Here's money"
The vanquished one took the silver
md gazed stupidity at the giver, who
vas making his toilet.
"Please go away, and don't thrash
your boy any more" said st. John. per-
Goliath made few steps, then re-
raced them, holding out a grimy paw
Mister Parson, Tm-I'm-"
Don't say another word. Good-by;n
md the curate shook hands with him.
The big man turned away. Present
y he halted once more. "I'm-!' he |
aid. 1t had to come Then he shambled |
St. John adjusted his collar, gave his
boulder rub and donned his coat and |
lat As he started towards fhe VILLAGE