St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1901-10-19


I arrayed myself after the fashion of
the ancient Romans But any salts
faction I might have felt was cut
short by the sound Of voices below.
Whut Wuz tibet noise in the hay
lot, Zeke?7 said one.
Dunno" answered Zeke. "Onless
it wuz tramp. Lots Of them critters
about. Guess I'll go up and see"
Z. <Hol' on, Zeke, till I get pitch
fork. Well have some fun stirring
um upf'
The prospect didn't appeal to me IN
the least. | glanced uneasily around.
The nearest window faced towards
the house. I ran softly over to it,
however, and wrenched it open.
There was a frail spout close beside
it.. TO hesitate was to be lost in a
singularly uncomfortable manner.
] wrapped the canvas about me and
clambered out. The setting sun
flooded my form with glory. Yet l
was not happy, and when reached
the ground, breathless and bruised, l
executed a skillful flank movement
which placed me behind the barn.
After which 7 arranged my drapery.
Beyond the barn lay an orchard, and
beyond this again wide meadow with
some haystacks. Ny hope was to gain
the Comparative shelter of the or
chard and await the fall Of kindly
night.
But as I entered the orchard I saw
a large, white bulldog come around
the corner of the barn. He did not
notice me at first, but the particular
devil who governs complications
placed sharp stone in my path, and
my anglished posture at once at
tracted his attention. He came over
at an easy trot expressive Of conscious
power and fixed determination. Most
Of this saw at a glance-the rest
over my shoulder as | girded up my
loins and fed through the checkered
sunlight. The long grass impeded
the dog, but he followed gamely, and,
when [ sprang for the fence, grabbed
trailing piece of my foga. The ef-
feet was to rip the piece off and send
him flying. There was a heaven-sent
haystaek near at hand. Ireached it,
lodged round it, and climbed to the
top. The dog settled down at the
bottom, quietly enough, except for
an occasional bloodthirsty Wag of his
tail So I settled down, too, and watt
ed developments. They were not
long II arriving. As / lay, wrapped
in canvas, hay, and sort Of dreamy
abstraction, a sudden, strident voice
cried:
fsSay, come down of'n that thar
haystaekw
started, and looked down. A
farmer stood below me. He was bare
headed and in his shirt-sIeeves.
Moreover, he was tall and Of red and
stalWart persenality. Fyprvthinp
considered, I decided foreman where
/ was.
See here, what yeou doin' atop
Of my stack? Come daown, yeou
tramp, OF Ill make Jeout'
/ thought It was time to defend my
self.
pray, whom are you calling
tramp? " I said, with dignity.
"Aw, sayp was the response.
s'Tm no tramp, let me tell you,o I
continued, rising and gathering my
canvas about me; 'Sand you're making
a big mistake . Then I laughed
pleasantly, just to prove my self-pos-
session.
aOhl. said the farmer, ayeou
laugh, do yeou? Wall, | kalkilate in
jest five minutes yeou won't laugh any
more. l know yore kind. Come
daoWnp
'I WON'T I answered, calmly.
Without word he began to climb
up the side of the stack. This, as
everyone knows, is a feat requiring
the individual use Of arms and legs.
I watched my assailant, and, when
he was nearly up, | reached out and
pushed his forehead violently back
wards. He lost his balance and fell,
striking the ground with q thud
which was dull, if not sieken-
ing. But he was instantly on
his feet and ran round to the other
side to try again. Once more I bided
the psychological moment, and then
snote him roughly under the chin.
His head few back with a click. This
time he landed on top Of the dog.
During the interesting half-minute
which ensued I gathered that the ami
nal bit him; for the man yelled and
swore, while the dog retired to q dis
Aarnl.a and lnnl.ed raIens sna