The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-13

gether on that fatal walk, arm in arm. A
short walk brought them to the tavern, and
they entered the little bar. Here they found
several whom they had met when they were
last there, and a conversation Immediately
commenced. George had not felt in such
good spirits for some time in fact, it was
the want Of such excitement that he had felt
SO much. Presently some one invited the
the rest to step up and take drink with him;
all did so except George.
"Come, man, said his companion, "we
are all waiting for you.''
Excuse me-" replied George, gently,
1.but do not wish to drink tonight
What harm can one glass do y, said
Frank, with hesitation, for he felt uncertain
how George might take his interference.
on forget my promise, sir y was the
reply.
sCome, come, don't speak so; that was a
forced promise, and forced promises are ne
Der binding, you know, a mere ruse de
guerre;' you surely are not afraid that one
glass will upset you, are you I"
g As for that matter, can drink as much
as any Of you, but do not choose" replied
George, angrily.
ooh that is very easy to sag, but then
the doing it is different thing, you know,
ha hap and tittering rung through the
crowd around Here was most dangerous
temptation, for such a nature as Georges
always feels afraid TO acknowledge itself
afraid of any thing, and is especially irritated
and thrown off its guard by any approach to
ridicule, and alas, the temptation was too
strong to be withstood."
g on think so, do you :" said George.
'tDo you dare to try"
"Do dare that's not the question-do
you dare?"
Come here if you wish to know, and
let these men judge who is the most daring;;"
and forgetting mother, promise and all, in
the wild energy of his nature, he seized the
glass and drained it! Lo how the temp
ter triumphed, but he was not yet satisfied
he determined to lead him farther on. g One
glass and you are lostp had his smother said,
and her words were prophetic.
They drank long and deeply-a crowd
soon gathered around them, for one at least
was becoming excited; and the flashing eye
of George, and his dilating form showed
that there was fire within him now that
was blazing and consuming all other emo
lions save the tickling pleasure that its flames
inspired Frank became seriously alarmed,
for he perceived that unless they stopped
soon, George would become unmanageable;
he therefore said, coaxingly-
'sCome, we've had enough, let us stop
nown
/, hal al 10, - lat
us see then who is the most daring; do You
dare to drink this ~ and he poured out two
glasses full and seized one Of them.
ooh! | did not propose it on my own
account" cried Frank, irritated at his words,
and initiating him in swallowing the draught
* but, my dear fellow" continued he,
ironically, :. was only about to ask you.
ifyon drink any more, how you expect to
get HoME?"
As that last word caught the ear Of poor
George, inebriated as he was, there flashed
across his mind gleam Of misery awful in
the extreme-the idea of his mother, his
perjury, the dread of Witnessing her agony
all condensed into one dark instantaneous
thought rushed upon him with such force
that lie staggered back and had well-nigh fall
len.
"What is the matter ?" cried Frank, now
too late repenting his expression, are yon
sick?
When he heard that voice, George raised
his pale and trembling face, his eye flashed
with such CLEAN Of determined fury, that
the other recoiled in terror. g Sick villain,
SICK ~ he cried, S'doubIe-dycd scoundrel,
who brought me here who tempted me
here devil answer me! who tempted me
--ah she said,' bcacarc the tcmpter.w and
his voice sank to supernatural whisper, and
then rose to wild scream of rage q Ha
ha sick let me clutch thee, tempter, and
learn how strong ] am" With one sudden
and tremendous bound he leaped upon
Frank, and shook him with the strength and
fury of demon. They rushed upon them
and by main force tore them apart ..
"Villains !--unhand me,"-hc shouted
hoarsely, I" do you dare see he will es-
cape me! he, the tempter! off! let me 90, say
--letme-a-h-h-h." They started from him,
for from his ears, his nose, and mouth, there
spirited forth dark red stream of blood,
sprinkling those around with its crimson dye;
with loud crash he fell upon the floor.
g Great God ~ cried some one, raising
him up" run for a doctor, he has broken a