The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-09-24

| "' think I'll go to Dorsey's to-
night he said. Il won't say anything
about it to father. for he always has q
lecture ready whether I'm right or
wrong. I won't stay moro than an
hour. Just to show the fellows that can
do as please sometimes
| "sDon't co. I said. You know
that father is right in calling Dorsey
an infamous hole. It's a miserable
drinking and gambling shop. and the
people who stay at the tavern you
wouldn't notice if you met on the
street. Besides, the boys are evidently
intending to have spree. VIII Esta-
brook has drank more than is good for
him already
".And t suppose you think shall
get intoxicated, too! he cried, impa-
tiently.
sAh, I knew it. More than once
since our return from school, my broth
er had crept up to our room about mid
night, not drunk, perhaps, but with q
flushed face and unsteady steps. Idon't
think he had any real appetite for
liquor. but his easy, pliable nature left
him at the mercy of every temptation.
The subject was never mentioned be-
tween us. Twas ashamed to even mem
ton my suspicious to him. Oh. how
weak, how despicably weak, I was!
for had l prayed and pleaded with him
from the first false step, who can say
what might have been averted?
eyes, I'm goingr Charles said. de-
cidedly, beginning to dress. Halo,
Ormond, is that your Come in. I'm
not quite ready yet, but I'll not keep
you waiting many minutes
81 haven't come for you.' Ormond
said. gravely. 'uor am I going myself.
In fact. I've come to try to persuade
you to stay at home. The boys have
been drinking already, and there's no
knowing what mischief they may do.
Besides, ALI Grimes. the bridegroom, is
a regular blackleg, as everybody
knows, and the tavern is swarming
with gamblers from Almont. They say
they've come to pluck the green geese
in this neighborhood.'
"'Et tn, Brute" said my brother,
laughing; so you're joining forces
with Hal there, to convince me that I'm
one of the young goslings that Will fly
ing all the same. hate trouble, you
know, and it's easier for me to 60 with
the boys for an hour or so to the tavern
than to explain to them why can't 60.
Rather humiliating, too, to say can't
take care of myself. Well, I'm ready.
Good night. But say, Ormond, stay
with us tonight. I'll be back before
you 60 to bed and tell you all the
news and humming tune. he ran
down the steps leaving US looking at
each other uneasily.
"'I don't like his going Ormond
said. Those boys will get into mis-
chief
He said no more about it. We
tried to talk of other matters, but it
was vain effort. Two hours, three
hours, passed. We sat at the window
looking and listening.
eel can't endure this suspense Or
mond said at last. jumping up. I'm
going to Dorsey's to see about Charles
60 just what Iswas thinking of do
ing I answered. rising too.
"No, you better not co. he said.
Charles may be'-he hesitated. We'll,
he may think if he sees you. that
you're watching him, and that will
make him angry, and then shall not
be able to get him away
"'Very well,' said, won't go into
the tavern, then, but will wait outside
and not show myself unless it's neces-
sary to do so.'
"When we got near Dorsey's we
could hear the noise of loud laughing,
shouting and singing.
"It's regular pandemonium,'
Ormond said, when we reached there.
'Now, stay outside whilst I hunt up
Charles in this den of thieves and
drunkards.'
"He went in, and I stood there
vaguely wondering how my brother,
with his refined tastes. could endure
such disgusting associations, when sud-
denly there seemed to be lull in the
noise, and two mems voices rose loud
and furious. One l instantly recognized
as Estabrook's.
81 ran to the window cit was q
ground foor) and looked in. Near the
window was q table, and at it were
seated two rufianly looking men with
Charles and Estabrook. They all had
cards in their hands, and it only need
ed one glance at my brothers indamed
face, and eyes flashing with drunken
rage, to make my heart sink with shame
and grief. A revolver lay on the table
before one of tho men.
"'He's cheat. thief cried Esta-
brook, trying to rise on his unsteady
legs. Il say, Charles with q terrible
oath. that scoundrel drew the card
from his sleeve. saw him. Let's 60
into EN-
"'You scoundrelsr cried my brother,
grasping the man nearest him by the
shoulder. 1t was the man before whom
thu r,iafol Low He sfrofchad nrf his