The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-09-26
I'll be glad to have compa-

III go III tor the bundle, and be back
in a minute
Take a drink, Harry said Rolfe,
persuaoive!y "Itu keep the cold out -
"rhankYou no, - he answered, laugh
ing. 1T may keep the cold out, but
its apt to put something in that's ten
times worse than cold. Iou know |
never touch liquor and don't suppose
| ever viii.
lie walked out, leaving u suocring
laugh behind him.
"rhc impotence Of that hoy cjacu-
lated Eli Grimes, whose face was rcd
dor and voice hoarser since he last
opened his lips, "preachin to his cid
ers and betters, and settin' hisself
above en-
ooh, he's good boy" answered Mr..
Rolfe, "only he's got foolish notions,
and he's set in EN-. Take another tod
dy. Mr., Harvey. You'll need all the
warmth You can get before You get
home
Mr.. Harvey, an industrious farmer,
was by no means an habitual drinker
No man abhorred drunkard more than
he did, and weeks and months would
elapSe without his touching a drop of
liquor. But lie thought total absti-
nence pledge was the worst of folly for
men who could control their appetite
for strong drink.
For instance, on such night as this,
how necessary a toddy was to men COM
PEELED to expose themselves to inclem-
ent weather. In his utter ignorance,
he believed that he laid up store of
warmth in his blood with every drink
hc took. to resist the cold outside. SO
he swallowed another toddy, and felt
/ glowing and comfortable.
I'm ready, Mr.. Harvey and Harry
stood at the door, bundle in hand.
zone moro drink cried the solicit
Gus Mr.. Reeves, and of couse Mr.. Har
ney could not refuse. But that one
more drink set his head whirliug very
strangely. He went to the buggy,
scrambled in, and gathered up the
reins.
Il declare, Harry, can't see we'll to
drive. The colds made me stupid-likc.
! You know the road, and if you didn't,
old Ball does. Just take the reins, will
you, and let him go ahead?'
1t was a pitch-dark night. sleeting
heavily, and the cold growing mo-c in
tense every moment. The horse made
his way but slowly in the thick mud.
and sometimes stuck fast in q deep
hole. Through Harry's warm cover
ings, the cold penetrated until his blood
seemed turning to ice. He spoke to
his companion, but found he was sleep
ing heavily.
Hes drank too much" he thought.
Maybe he'll sleep it off"
SO he pulled thick blanket over Mr..
Harvey 5 shoulders, covered his knees
with the buggy cloth, and made him as
comfortable rs possible. He himself
began to suffer severely, until IA strange
numbness crept over him. With a
thrill of terror. he remembered all he
had heard of people freezing to death
What am l to do? I'm getting SO
drowsy | cannot keep awake. ! must
try and get my blood in circulation
He jumped out and trudged on foot
by the horse, holding the reins. He
stamped on the ground, leaped up,
threw his arms about, did everything
he had over heard or read of to keep
himself awake and in motion. He
pulled Mr.. Harvey. shook him. tried to
get him ont o.. the buggy, but the
drunken stupor could not be broken.
The man moved and groaned little,
but stretchcd himself in his corner, and
relapaod INTO his heavy sleep. hls
hands we're getting cold. and Harry
rubbed them with might and main, until
they seemed warmer.
The poor boy walked along, his heart
heavy as lead, and feeling his strength
f,iIjnr him Emf he nn,6el rasolutolv