The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-08-21
WHAT WAS 1T?
TED JoNEs's DOUBLE.

a bad thing for Poor Ted, as it has beer
for many,a better man before him, ant
not week passed but that he was es
corted home by some friendly neighbo
from the "Corners," in the condition
described by old Giles ToddlecOme a
"drunker n billed OWL So often wa
this the case and so many were the night
that Mrs. Jones was called upon to watcl
the wee hours. and then "retire" hin
minus boots and hat upon settee in the
corner, that Ted became at last the warn
ing of the country side, and was regu
larly quoted at sewing societies and S. o
T. "quarterles as the terrible exam
pie, the irreclaimable, the drunkard pa
ercellence.
The poor fellow was going rapidly dow
hill; and as is the case in such matters
he was made the scape-goat of the dis
trict and forced to bear into the wilder
ness of sin, not his own wrong doing!
only, but many of the rascalities of hi:
neighbors for miles around.
Matters were in this deplorable shape
and promising to reach even a worse pass
when suddenly, without pledge or prom
Use, and surely without known reason
our gold-medal sinner reformed.
The rumor of this almost miraculous
change was tardily accepted at first, anG
more than one old lady shook her head
wisely over her tea (tenth cup, anG
looked incredulous when the statement
was made that Ted Jones had quit drink
ing; but the fact remained, nevertheless
Ted had really reformed, and after ter
days wonder the parsons latest baby
was again elevated as the subject of repu
table gossip, and Jones was allowed tc
sink or swim as best he might.
But to select few the man told his
wonderful story, and as one of those who
sat before the open fire in Squire Park.
bursts office that stormy winter night
and listened to the tale, give it to you.
Squire; Jones; old Uncle Nose, the one
"cullud gen-'lem - of our village; Tom
Moore, also a reformed drunkard, and
myself"
We were smoking and chatting about
the hearth-stone, and the conversation
had drifted, as conversations will, from
the natural to the supernatural, from the
corn field to the church yard, and GER
tain very ghostly and slightly tishy eN-
periences had been related by our black
brother, when Jones suddenly spoke:
esquire, did ever tell We how it wal
| KEN to quit drinkin' ,"
"Well, no, Jones'" returned the wor-
thy Judge, "not that remember. Was
there any thing queer about it l sup
posed you stopped because you had had
enough
at warn't that" replied Ted, slowly;
my taste is as smart as ever; it's the
willin' ness that lack now.'
"And where did you lose that, Ted -
queried Tom Moore.
The man hesitated moment. gazing
steadily at the bright cmbers upon the
hearth; then he responded, "Tll tell We,
if yen listen.''
We reflled our pipes and drew closer
together.
eye will mind it war in October as |
stopped. had been over to the station
with some stuff. an comm back lowed
to take nip at the Corners bein' as
the drive war cold one, an did so. l
didn't get drunk; only took one glass
and drove on. An | had had nothin'
all day.
mind the night well. 1t war kind o
hazy an foggy-like, an the stars looked
chill l lowed we have Il storm, from
the feel O the air, an SO drove right
smart ontil we come to the Toddlecome
hill, when l let the mare take her own
gait.
1t warn't late, not after nine, an |
lowed to be home by ten; fer We know
it's only matter o two mile by the
swamp road from that hill to my bars.
So jest kind o tucked myself into my
coat, an didn't pay no attention to the
boss, but left her to herself.
Every thing ran on like the common
for bit. the old mare on slow walk,
for the hill be steep, an | half asleep,
when just afore we got to the top she
stopped suddenly. l opened my eyes
with a start, but Jennie was moving
again. A moment after an she stopped
second time, then jest as quickly went
on. war vexed an when she stopped
the third time, | cried out, sharp-like-
go long, Jen! Rest when We get to the
top o the hill"
At the sound o my voice she started
again with a spring, an kind O showed
us tho something war in her way; an
peering ahead I see dark figure in the
middle O the road jest ahead.
Hillo, there.'' | cried.
There warn't no answer.
shook the reins and the mare hasten
ed little. The figure in front hastenet
| too.
"Hillow says l again, "won't y.
ridee
Still got no reply, an the mare an
| the mani could see it war man now
only logged on little faster.
Mebbc the chaps deaf, thought, ant
so | started .Jcn on Il trot; but the one il
front went jest as fast.
I'll ketch We, my boy, or take thu
wrinkles out of your legs says l to my
self, and with that | gave my beast {;
sharp cut with the whip.
She warn't used to it, an jumped ano
run like the wind for twenty rods; bu
the tother kept in front and jest in from
all the way.
begun to get scarf. Not at the queer
ness o the thing, whatever it war, bu
at myself; an | looked about me sharl
to see if | knew the road. Ie see | dit
think tremens might catch Inc some
times them days.
| But there was no tremens about this
| knew the road every inch of it, ant
the trees and fences and even the light
across the valley in Deacon Colts house
no tremens there. Then | looked aheat
again. The figure war just at my horse:
nose, tramping on like a tired maj
goin' home from 4 days work.
| spoke once more: Get in and ride