Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-11-25
The Drag Of the Undertow.
BY T. s. ARTHUR.


He had received a case of "Roederer's
Imperial" from the city the day before,
and he and his friends had made night
of it. Hence the headache and general
out-of-sorts feeling in which he comes
before the reader.
A young lawyer of more than ordinary
promise, Medairy had already made a
name in consequence of his successful
management of two or three cases, which
from their peculiar nature, attracted
considerable public attention; and was
looked upon as one Of the rising men at
the bar.
81 don't like this" he said to him.
self, on seeing his hand shake little as
he raised cup of coffee to his lips, and
tasted the unpalatable beverage. 1t was
nearly ten o'clock, and the "hotel coffee"
had not improved much since the eight
o'clock breakfast. ..These champagne
suppers play the mischief with fellows
nerves."
He tried to eat, but his palate found
no pleasure in the food that was set be-
fore him. He must get toned up before
he was fit for anything. So he left the
table and went to the bar. A nip of
brandy did the work.
That's your sort" he said, with in
ward satisfaction, as he felt the fine ex-
hilaration creeping over his nerves, and
the dull aching in his left temple begin
to subside. Nothing like little good
brandy. Richard is himself again r"
At the billiard room he met one or
two friends. After few games they
went to the bar for drinks, drawn thith-
er by the gravitation of an appetite
which was beginning to act with steady
but unregarded force.
"Have you seen anything of Bradford
this morning ?" asked Medairy. address,
ing one Of his companions, whose name
was Henderson.
''No; l called at Congress Hall, but
he hadn't put in an appearance yet"
"His head isn't as strong as it might
be-"
The other did not reply.
'tI'm a little afraid of Bradford" re-
marked Medairy, in a serious tone of
voice.
''On what account?" Henderson lifted
his eyebrows slightly.
"a man should know himself-iust
how much he can bear.''
"Yes, that's so.'' But there was no
heartlness in the response.
whats the matter Dick ?" Medairy
grasped his friends arm and shook him
playfully. "You look as serious as old
Judge Garland in murder case"
''Do l ?" The young man forced a
laugh; but it died in a quick silence.
"l'm afraid champaign suppers don't
agree with you"
"Why not" Henderson betrayed a
little annoyance.
you're so dull and moody next
morning"
"Am ?" He smiled and made an ef-
fort to rally himself.
Speaking of Bradford" said Medairy
"do you know, feel concerned about
him. He's splendid fellow and full Of
promise; but he has no head for cham
pagne."
Gas you remarked, a man should
know himself just what he can BEAR
said the third member of the party, q
young man named Milwood, who had
not before spoken. ''This is Bradford
trouble, I'm afraid. And if he doesn't
take care, the undertow will catch him.
At this speech, dead silence fell
upon the group. Henderson and Me
dairy looked at each other, and ther
dropped their eyes to the ground. Eacl
saw startled expression in the other''
face. The "undertow l'' Its application
was too apparent not to be understood
They both felt it more than once.
"The tide is coming up, and there
going to be splendid surf" said one o
the young men, as they were strollin,
down to the beach, that was now ga,
with promenade and bathing costumes.
"Who's going in ?" asked Henderson
IL am" replied Medairy, as he re
moved his hat and let the cool sea
breeze that was coming in stlfly strik
on his heated forehead. ga dip in tn
ocean gives me new life. 1t refreshe
me like wine.'
| "And like wine it has an undertow,
said Milwood 'and both are treachel
ous."
To this remark neither. Medairy O
Henderson made any reply; the forme
separating few moments afterward
|
from his companions and going to one {
the bathing-houses.
The day was brilliant, the wate
warm, the sea-breeze fresh, and the It'd
came rolling in with its great wave
that broke and seethed along the shor'
Hundreds of bathers were gaily dis
porting themselves. The scene was flu
of excitement and exhilaration. Media
ry. in his bathing-dress walked slowl