The Indiana State sentinel., 1877-02-07
SWEARING OFF.
From 4" The Barton Experiment" by the
Author of "Helen's Babies"


TFrom The Barton Experiment." by the
Author of "Helen's Babies."l
During the first day of the trip Crayme
MADE me no trouble for himself and Fred;
under the friendly shelter of night the two
men had two-hour chat, which alter
nately humeross, business like, and retros-
pective. and then Crayme fell asleep. The
next day was reasonably pleasant out of
doors, so the captain wrapped himself in a
blanket and sat in all extension chair on the
guards where with solemn face he received
some condolences, which went far to keep
him. in good humor, after Sympathizers had
departed. On the second night the captain
was restless and the two men played cards.
On the third day the captains physique
reached the bottom of its stock Of patience,
and protested indignantly at the withdrawal
of its customary stimulus: and il acted with
more consistency, though no less uglines,
than the human mind does when under ex-
citement and destitute of control The cap
tain grew terribly respondent and Fred
found ample use for all the good stories he
knew. Some of these amused the captain
greatly, but after one OF them he sighed
Poor old Billy HOclzess told me that the
only time Lever heard il before ana didn't
We have Brious time that night He'd
just put all his money into the Yenesic-that
blew up and took him with it q year after
ward-and he gave us q new kind of punch
he'd got the hang of when he went east for
the boats carpets Twas made of two bot
ties of brandy one whisky two rum, one
gin. TWO sherry and four claret, with gauva
jelly and lemon peel that had been soaking
in cocoa and honey for 4 month. IL looks
kind of weak when we think about it,
but there were only six of us in the party
and it went to the spot before we got
through. GOlly, but didn't We make Rome
hOwl that night"
Fred shuddered and experimental upon
his friend with a song. He was rewarded by
hearing the captain hum an occasional ac-
compartment; but as Fred got fairly into
merry Irish song about one Teddy O'Rana,
and uttered the lines in which the poet
states that the hero
"Took a whisky punch
Every night for lunch,"
the captain put such a world OF expression
into long drawn sigh that Fred began 10
feel depressed himself; btcause songs were
not 50 numerous in Fred's repertoire, and
those in which there was no drinking could
be counted on half of his fingers. Then he
borrowed the barkeeper'S violin, and played
one after another of the airs that had been
his fayorite in the days of his courtship,
until Crayme exclaimed:
Say Fred. we're not playing church;
give us something that don'U bring all of a
fellows dead friends along with it,
Fred Redeemed, swung his how viciOusly,
and dashed into ''Natchez Under the HILL"
an old air which would have delighted
Offenbach, but which will never appear ina
collection of classical music
All, that's something like music!" ex-
claimed Captain Crayme, as Fred paused
suddenly TO repair broken string never
hear that but / think. of Wesley Treepoko
that used to run the Quitman; went after
wards 10 the Rising Planet when the Quit
mans owners pat her on new lne as an
opposition boat. Wess and | used to work
things so as to make Louisville at the same
time-he going up. going down, and then
turn about-and We always had a glorious
time Of ii, with one or two lively boys that
we'd pick mp. And WesS had fireman that
would fiddle OF old Natchez in a way that
would make corpse dance till its teeth rat
tied, and that fireman would always
be called in just as we'd got to the
place where you can't tell what
ing, and, I'll tell you, twas so heavenly that
a fellow could forgive the last boat that beat
aim on the river stole a landing from
him. And such whisky as Wess kepti used
10 20 cruising around the back country SAM
pling little lots run out of private still He'd
always find nectar, you'd better believe
Poor old boy! the tremens took him of at
last He hove his pilot overheard, Just be-
fore ne died, and put bullet into Pete
lSngstOn, his second clerk-they were both
trying TO hold him. you see-but they never
laid it up against him. 1 wish they knew
what became of the whisky he had
when he walked off-no I don't either;
what am | thinking about? But do. though
hanged If dOnt!"
Fred grew pale; he had heard of drunk
ards growing deliriOus upon ceasing TO
drink: hR had heard of men who. in periods
of alteration, were impelled by the motive
OF the last act or recollection which strongly
impressed them; what if the captain should
suddenly become delirious and try TO throw
him overheard or shoot him7 Fred deter.
mined to get the captain at once upon the
guards-no, into the cabin, where there
would be no sight OF water to suggest anything
dreadful-and search his room for pistolsi
But the captain objected 70 being moved
into the cabin.
"The boys" said the captain, alluding to
the gamblers, ''are mighty sharp in the eve,
and like as not they'd see through my little
game. and then where'd my reputation bes
Speaking of the boys reminds me of Harry.
Genang that cleaned out that rich Kentucky
planter at bluff one night and then swore OFF
gambling for life, and gave a good bye sup
per aboard the boat. Twas Just at the time
when Prince Imperial cham pagne came out
and the whole supper was made up of that
splendid stuff. i guess j must have put
away four bottles. and il I'd known how
much he'd ordered | could have carried
away couple more. I've always been sorry
I didn't
Fred wondered if there was any subject OF
conversation which would not suggest liquor
- The captain; he even brought himself to
aSk II Crayme had ever seen the new Metho-
dist church at Barton since Il had been fin
4sned.