Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-31
misfellanp.
Written expressly for the Green Mountain Freeman.
THE ANGELIN THE WAY.
A Tale for christmas end she New Year.
By RICHARD J. NEAL.
[cosCLUDED.]


destroying everything in the room and with
an oath, the bartender ieveled glass at the
head of awell-dressed young man, who in a fit
of maaia-a-potu. was demolishing everything
that came within his reach. The glass missed
] its intended mark, and just as he was about to
Vel fpotheS three men shsp we hase seen
ID the hotel, at the opening Of the tale, entered
tire saloon.
Good heavens, Barton ! " exclaimed the
foremost, " do you see that -
= " Grayson impossible, yet it must be SO
Come, let us rescue him ere the brutal bar
tender kills him.
1t was too true. In the corner of the room,
with disheveled looks, bloated features and
somewhat dsordered dress, stood Thomas Gray
son, mad with insanity caused by strong drink.
7" Grayson, Grayson!" " exclaimed Barton,
seizing his arm, =" why are you in such place,
/ and in such condition as this!"
" There they come, there they come For
God sake,. Barton, keep them off, off, tell
Z you and-with foaming mouth, and counte-
nance in which the most awful terror was de-
picted, he smote the air in impotent attempts
to dispel an imaginary foe.
!" Got 'em hard" remarked besotted speci-
men of humanity, as he quaffed glass at the
counter "Sees devils and all that sort O.
thing in tho air. Its terrible, sir had 'em
once, myself"
g Barton, Barton ! " said Grayson in wild
tone, as he shook off his friends grasp, you
was my friend once--get me some brandy to
keep these devils off There they come again,
twisting and coiling up ready for spring -
Barton, if you are my friend, keep them Off
don't let them get their Shiny folds around
me!
He clencheI his hands till the nails sank in
to the flesh, but the pain was nothing to tht
horrible agony the mind suffered, as he contend
ed with foe ever present, ever subjecting hin
to the most fendish tortures, yet never palpa
ble::to the touch But it could not last long
his strength gave way, and he sank exhausted
upon the floor Bidding his two companions
to carry him to the hotel, Barton turned tt
the keeper OF the Saloon
What is your bill sir, for the damage my
friend has caused! I"
twenty-five dollars. might get more, sir
if l carried up to the P'lice Court"
"There are fifty" replied Barton, and re
member if I ever hear of your mentioning hi
name, It's the last day you stay here"
"You won't prosecute me, sir
"That depends on your secresy-remember,
and with this word of caution on his lips, h
left the saloon
The first rays of the morning sun were cast
ing their light over the couch upon whic
lay the form of Thomas Grayson. Barton, hi
classmate in college, and ever his firm friend
was sitting beside him. At last he awoke fror
q troubled sleep. One who had known him i
his better moments would scarcely recogniz
him now. A dull light shone in those eye
once SO brilliant, and the pale wan face Dor
no resemblance to his once handsome feature,
The nights inebriation had made fear ful r
roads upon his frame.
"Is it you, Barton!" he murmured feebl,
as he turned his gaze upon his friend.
L" 1t is, Grayson. How do you feel "
so weak can scarcely rise. How Ion
have I lain here "a week, or perhaps longe
haven'tIl"
mo, Grayson ; only since last EVENING"" "
"Strange what should make me so veal
then. There isn't glass of brandy, handy,
there Barton! 1t seems as if 'twould do n
good"
~ There is no brandy, here, Tom, and yc
can have none to-day. Can't you recall
>anind the reason for your lying here'"
- On my soul, cannot, Barton but expe
& it's on account of having spree, somewh ere
g Do you remember entering old Wymar
last evening""
:" Yes, yes," replied Grayson slIuddering
see it all now. ! had it hard, did not, Ba
ton "
II should say you did, as there was no &C
trolling you Will you have glass of bra
dy, now, Tom Were to tell you your i
depended upon it, and held it to your liz
would you quaf it "
No, no; death were preferable to that
have drank my last glass
$50 you've said dozen times, Tom, a
yet here you are, nearly dead by indulging
that which is proving your ruin and covert
your name with disgrace
IL know that, Barton; but the d
shall come--do you hear it'll say the d
shall come when every friend ever had in t
city shall be proud to renew their intercou
with me''
"Spoken like a man, Grayson. That say
of the old spirit which actuated you in collie
May you have the moral courage to keep Il
resolution"
. shall, Barton, for promised her I'D n
er taste it again
Yet you did it, Grayson."
81 know it, and I'll tell you why W
to Mrs. Grahams yesterday, and Alice rejec
me.''
"Rejected you, Toni"
Yes her sense Of duty would not per
her to do otherwise while she knew my faith
consent could not be obtained, and though
did not say it, | think ny reputation had Sc
;uauence in deciding her.