The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-08-18

can't get glass or cnampaigH III lot
3 gentleman to drink in this accursed town
f But about the advertisements" CIh
/ Camera paid him a small percentage fo
| this kind of work, and few cents now
would buy him his dinner.)
HNo." -.
The Major leaned on the glass counter
for moment 1t was two days since he
had tasted food. The steam of savory
dishes below was too much for him. A
collapsed stomach in a powerful frame
like his is a deadly drag on IA mans pluck
He looked at Sam. The fellow would give
him his dinner il he asked it, he knew.
He gathered himself up with an effort.
ia steal, but [ can't beg, he said silently.
He nodded affably to Sam and chuckled to
cured, usually tiorid face had turned cold
and blue under the moustache and Whisk-
ers, but he carried himself jauntily.
John Proctor saw the Major as soon as
he stepped on the street. There was the
identical broad-cloth, cut twenty years ago
and the vast expanse Of shirt-bosom
trayed in the plaits, but Immediately
white. The Major was a property
OF the town, well-knowr as the city clock
With his bushy white mane, his imposing
shoulders, his lofty bow, he radiated and
flied the pavement from wall to curb.
Proctor thought the old man would be
glad to see him, but he certainly had moi
expected the strange effect the sight OF
him produced. Standish stopped as
though he had been struck blow, holding
him off at arms length. His pomposity
seemed to suddenly drop from him.
"Why, Jack. jack" he stammered,
II did not look to see you. beg your
pardon, Mr.. Proctor, forget draw
ing back, yet still holding the young man s
coat sleeve with what would have been
very like caress in a woman.
"Forget? You forgot old friends, l
think"
"Prince Hal has changed his State, +"
said the Major, smiling with an effort to
be himself. 1t is time he shook off old
Falstatf.
.:How ill white hairs become a fool and jest-r
So surfeit swelled, So ola, and so profane"
touching his big breast with a bitter
laugh.
"You did not use to affect the cynic."
"No 1t is the sight of you that re-
minds me of what had better forget
Proctor was ashamed, as one man al
ways is of emotion in another.
"You had always an unreasonable lik-
ing forme, vicious young dog that was, .
he said lightly. You're at the old place,
/ suppose? I'll come around at dusk.
Wen broil a steak together, eh, Major !?
My hand has not lost its cunning.
The old man looked down OH him stead
| lily with an inexpiicable brightness in his
keen eyes. Il did not think you would
go so far as that, my boy" he said quietly.
Mr.. NJ Murrays carriage drew up at
the door at that moment. 1t was plain,
but rich, the horses thoroughbred All
nnocent-Iooking, delicate lutte blonde,
dressed with quaker-lke pIainness, looked
out and blushed crimson at the sight OF
John. AT that the blood mounted also in
TO the fellows tell-Cale face, and he went
down to the carriage, leaning on the uoor
to speak to her.
"A handsome pair" whispered With
row, who was still lettering near.
Standsh nodded. ''She looks like a
good, religious woman. M'Murray would
raise his daughter cleaner than other
girls "
''She's worth a cool half-million. That's
the way in which should think you
would regard her."
$50 / do, Mr.. Withrow. Proctor is
lucky-yery lucky, Talents, and educa-
ton, and religion, and now good wife
with money. The boy could not ask for
more.
There was something in the old mans
unsual quiet, and the look which he fast
ened On Proctor, that reused WithrOw's s
I curiosity.
There used to be some connection be-
tween you and the young man, wasn't
there? He was under Jour guardianship
for awhile when he was boy, think I've
heard? 20
'Not at all, sir, eagerly, not at all, sir.
! held certain monies for the lads use
from his father and paid his bills, that was
all. placed him under NJ 'Murray's care
when he was entered here first at school
M Murray has the entrance to the best
society and is religious; those were the
two things | looked at. Why, the boys
blood is OF the best. His father was one of
the old blue bloods of Virginia. He would
never have trusted his son to the guar
dianship Of an old scalliwag like Dan
SIandish." The Major was himself again,
his rolling voice and theatrical gestures
keeping time, and apparently enjoying
each other thoroughly.
'sOh, that's it? You were not one OF
the blue bloods, then?'
''My father was butcher, sir. I've
lived by my wits, and an Internally poor
capital they are for any man. I'll say
that. I've dined with dukes and rag pick
ers in one day, Mr.. WlthroW But the
smell Of the slaughter-house followed ME
A man is nothing without family here in
Philadelphia. = And again his eyes rested