The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-01
\ Drunken SXyitcliiiiuII.

\ Drunken SWitchmau
The blOOd-rcd light of sunset was mirror
ins itself in crimson splashes in the turbid
tides of the great western river; the black
bird was sounding its sweet whistle through
the old primeval forests, and Jonathun
Beers, sitting by his cabin door thought
vaguely of the church-bells that used to
ring at evening time in the far-oT eastern
village where he had been born and brought
up. with the roar of Pcnobscot bay in his
ears.
"Id like to hear them bell, once again
atorc | die" unused old Jonathan. ''But it
liht likely I'll ever 90 back now"
Even while these disiointed moditntions
passed through his mind, there was light
step on the cabin threshold, and the rustic
of stifly starchcd pink calico, and his neice
Dorothy came to the door.
TEAS ready. uncle dear" saws she
And I've baked Il real New England corn
bread, and some gingcr-snaps, such as
grandmamma used to make. And see, I'M
Gle, I've sliced up the little red peaches from
the tree you planted yourself on the south
side of the hill. Israel Esmaync said it
wouldn't grow, but it has. mean TO keen
saucertul and a little cream for Israel to-
night, just to show him."
''Do you mean that Israel Esmavne is
coming here tonight"
Eyes, uncle" said Dorothy, stoopinp to
recover teaspoon she mad dropped-a
spoon with an antique silver shell carved
on the handie-and coming up very rosy
from the search. ''Why not?"
Take care, Dotty That's ALL"
Uncle, what do you mean?"
Il mean, child, that I'd rather Law Won in
your grave in the new burying ground where
there's only one mound yet in the shadow
OF the church spire, than to see YOU married
to any man who drinks That's what mean.
Dotty."
Dorothys head dropped over her plate.
Uncle, that is hardly fair Because Il
man had bad habit once
and has 1t now."
The soft eyes glttered into a defiant
flash.
"fou are mistaken, uncle. Israel
Esmayne has not touched drop of ardent
spirits in year. He has promised me
never to touch it again" 81 hope he never
viii, my GIRL" said Jonathan Beers, al
though ms tone betrayed no very sanguinc
feeling, "But it amt safe thing to do.
IL Is madness, love of liquor is. and not
ing short. It's liable to break out any time.
Israel Esmayncs n good fellow enough, |
han't anything agin him but it amt
safe
Dorothy was silent. Why was it, she
asked herself, that men were so severe in
Judging one another? Why did they ALWAYS
look at the blacklist and least promising side
OF everything! Israel had promised her.
Shc believed him, aud that was enough.
And while she tripped lightly back and
ior'h about her household duties, her mind
was full of the underlined future. She could
see herself, shadowy and underlined as in a
mirror, moving about bright little home
whore flowers bloom in the easements and
BIRDS sang and clock licked
"One of these days" said Dorothy to
herself, AS she put away the saucer of peach-
es and little pitcher of thick cream on a
Whitley secured pantry shelf, "one of these
days"
She was thinking ofthc future. And old
Jonathan was living in the past
you've something to do with the rail.
road, stranger, haven't your"
~ reckon have said Israel Esmayne,
Indiiiently, SIN a switchman."
III don't take up much OF your time.
guess"
ITS got to be looked after Just the same.
though, said the tall Westerner, as he lifted
the last monster log from the cart he was
unloading to the thrifty pile at the north end
of his house
"What time does the way train come
by?" ''''''
"At nine o'clock"
'Do you suppose ] could 20 to Mellon-
Vilie ana see the lumber dealers there and
get BACK again to the station by that time 2"
israei looked reiectively at the other
shore of the river.
"Well, you might" said he, ..but if will
he pretty tight squeeze"
'l'm Il rood walkpr' said ,In .,..,,...
and as he spoke he drew a flat pocket-flask
uncorkcd it with his teeth, and drank n CO.
pous draft. Israel Esmayne watched him
with eager, glitterng eyes, like those of
some furnished wild animal that scents
blood.
Have "A drink, frend?' said the stranger.
proiicring the flask. Israel Esmayne shook
his head, with set teeth and lividly pale
check.
:! never drink said he hoarsely
iou wonld, | guess, if you could get
such stun rs this said the man, soft as
on and strong as fire. My father imported
It. There's not much like it in the country.
Taste, if you don't believe me-
Israel stood for moment, hesilating.
Then he cast an eager glance to the right
ana to the LETT, as If half fearful lest some
one should see him, and grasping at the
bottle-drank
The fevered blood mounted to his check;
n strange sparkle came into his eyes.
Have you got any more like thatY he
whispered, hoarscly, approaching his burn
ing lips so closely to the mans car that he
Involuntary started
I've got another flask, but
win you leave it behind? I'll pay
good price for it,
What for?'
1srael's eyes fell guilty. In-in case
of sickness, you know. We can't buy
such liquor here--and it is lonely spot.'
You're right enough there said the man,
laughing, as he drew out another flask, the
mate to the first. Here, take it. Pshaw,
friend, put up your purse. You're well
come to it as gift.