The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-09-22


tell it because there Is warning In
1t.
When Arthur Winfield secured the
position ofstatlon-agent and telegraph
operator at the little station Of Wood
vile, Ia one OF our Western States.
every one who knew him was glad
Of Il, and his friends sid he was
starting out In a career that would
DO successful one.
He was ambitious, energetic,
prompt and attentive 10 business,
and his mental qualifications were un-
usually good. He had been the best
scholar at the village school, and had
always showed deposition te make
the most of himself.
Here was an opening for him In
the direction to which his likes and
laolinailons most strongly urged him,
and those who knew him an agreed
that II any boy weuld be likely 10
succeed, that boy was Arthur
Winfield.
The STATEN was at one side Of the
town, away from the business part Of
Ii, and Il was not oilen, except al
such times as trains were expected
n, that the "boys." collected thero
But one afternoon several boys Of
the rougher class gathered In the
waliing-room and fell 10 havlag what
they called . sgood time" there.
Cigars and whisky wero circulated
freely, and sosn some Of the boys
were 50 much uader the influence Of
the liguaF they had taken that they
became aggressive and lnyl.ed them
selves into Arthur's sillce, WHICH was
partitIoned OF from enc corner Of the
waiting-room.
He pushed aside his book as they
came, aud said, pleasantly
ssGood- Afternoon, boys"
ssShake ~ said the leader Of the
invading party. putting out bis hand.
"You see, we fellers have been dis
putin 'hout yoa. Some on 'em said
you were stuck up-felt big, yeu
know-an' bstter'n as an said I
didn's b'IeIve Il, an GOD these fellers
-dldn't ye, boys ? An they dared
ns in 10 ask you out Said yos
wouldn't cene, cause ye dlda't
think we was good 'nough Tor 20 20
'sociate with, an q lot o. such trump
cry. We know better, dent We,
felIsra ? Come opt an get 'qqaiuted.
Coed felleFs, them, when ye get used
to 'em. Kinder rough outside, but
the right kind Of m'lerial inside"
Arthur heslt ,ted. He did not want
TO 20 out among them. Neither did
be want TO have the impression 60
out that be felt himself better tran
they were. He knew they were
net fit associates for him, but they
would not appreciate the reasons by
which his decision was made On this
score, and ts refuse to maks. their ac-
qualrtance was 10 offend than and
strengthen the belief that he felt
"above them"
So he accf pied their invitation,
and went cut Of the Office with his
visitors. In the waiting room he was
introduced In bluff, good-natursd
fashion, to the 'so,her fellers," and,
anxious TO make friends with, he
tried to adapt himself 70 their ways,
and show them he did not feel him.
self "too good to 'socIate with 'sm. !,
81 say, cap, I guess We were kind.
er mistaken in ye," said one Of the
young men. "S'posen we take Q
drink, hopin' for q better 'quain.
tance.D
lie drew q bottle. partly full Of
whisky, from his pocket, as hs spoke,
and held IL out to Arthur.
"I thank you, but I do not drink, .
said Arthur.
"Ne ? Well, ! didn't s'poss ye
did, much, from the looks 81 ye,"
responded the other. "But this ID
jest for the sake q friendship, ye
know. Don't want 10 git ye drunk,
do we, fellers ? hi. I,'s cust'm:ry out
here to drink with folks when ys git
quainted with 'em, an 'twouldn't
be treatIn' each other fair not to,
would It boys P'
"Of course not,D chorused all ol
the ssboys."
Arthur hesitaled. He had never
drank liquor. He had been taught
10 fear 1t. He knew that he ought
to say No, resolutely, and the words
came to his lips just As one of the
young men, who saw his hesitation,
said, In an undsrtene, 10 his conIpan
joins
"Hs's Jraid TO drink -
Arthur heard the whisper, aud the
No he was about touttsr was unspok.
en. Afraid Did they take him fol
coward ? Was he afraid of one