Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1892-07-15
In a comparatively short time q

III comparatively SuUEU UltN0 u
great deal of unpalatable information
was shot upon the Colonel. He was
told that not only was Scotch whisky
far more pleasing to the taste than
Irish, but it was less injurious IL the
health, and there vas less of illicit
distillation in Scotland than in Ire
land. Warming apparently to his
subject, and totally regardless of Old
Pats passionate and profane defense.
Macleod went on to enunciate the
view that all that was good and great
in the Irish nation vas English or
Scotch in origin, that the Irish
colonies in English towns formed the
most criminal and degraded portion
of the population, and that there was
actually something in the climate or
the soil of Ireland which deteriorated
the physical and moral character of
the inhabitants. lie said this with
the calm u%ttcrance of a lecturer who
demonstrates facts. There was even
a softer undertonc %pcrceptible now
and then, as If he piticd the advocate
OF so miserable a cause.
The Colonel became almost inco-
hcrent with rage. His face assumed
Il deep purple hue. He manifested
an inclination to foam at the mouth.
'sl'or proof of this" continued Nc
lcod. lit is quite enough to refer to
Il w%cll-known and incontrovcrtiblc
fact. Whether il is due to the po-
tatucS they cat or the bog-water
which they drink, L don't know: but
ii is quite enough for my purpose
that every Irishman of anything like
ancient descent has IL black roof to
his mouth. You will bear me out i'm
that, Colonel. / am sure"
The mess in vain cndcavorcd to
preserve Il dignitied dcmeanor. They
were nearly choking with suppressed
laughter. Young Fanshawe con-
trivcd to upset IL dccanter in order to
hide his emotion. Another young
scapcgracc was Obliged to go to the
sidcboard, where he gurgled subter-
rancously for several minutes with
his back to the company.
"1t's a lie" roarcd the Coloocl,
whose eyes were nearly starting out
of his head. can Internal lie"
"NHow? \ lie, Colonel? Do you
mean to deny what l have statcd?"
"I mcan," shriekcd Old Pat, sstaat
the Powers of Ballycoran are one of
the oldest families in Irclxnd; that
they were on intimate terms with
Brian Boru: and that when the bis
sid st. Patrick came that way, twas
me own ancestorr that gave him she
Ccad mile failtac to Ballycoran; sud
if VS. can find Il single black roof i'm
the mouths of the intirc family, may
the ,liyil fly OFF with the soul of The
dirty varmin."
And with these words the Colonel
struck the table q blow which made
the glasses ring.
sI'his is very interesting indeed"
replied Macleod, gazing at the Col
onel as if that dignitary were the
Missing Link, or a new form of but
terily. IL had no idea that any one
even an lrishman-would dispute
it. Now, 1 dare say that you nave
never thought Determining your own
mouth?"
The Colonel's reply was of a nature
that would have been an expensive
one had he made it i'm the presence of
a Magistrate who piqued himself on
enforcing the penalties against swear
ing.
ssStrange, very strange" said Mac
lcod. who was still quite calm. sN0w,
l think 1 will lay you two to one in
ten-pound notes that l am right"
A woltish lightshone in the Colorel's
eyes, but he held back with the most
praiseworthy self-control. 1t would
be undigniiled to bet with a mere sub
and especially on such Il subject.
..l.will make it five to one i'm twenty
pound notes." continued Macleod,
with an air of great confidence, "that
you yourself have Il black roof to your
mouth"
81 will take that bet,' sp~luttered
the Colonel. who IA now in a white
heat of rage. 'By me soul, 1 will
take that anne. just to teach you not
to bet on subjects of which you know
nothing. 1t will he a useful lesson.
And now how do you propose to de-
cido this bet?"
Si1 James Macleod suggested that
ocular inspections would be the quick
est and most satisfactory method
ocular inspection by the senior officers
of the mess. Their words would prob
ably be sufficient to both parties.
The Colonel demurred a little tt
this proposition. 1t seemed to him
totally subversiye of discipline. He
was quite sure that the Commander.
in-Chief would not approve of it. Nc
other possible way of settlingS the
question occurred to him, however,
and now that he had got so far he
was determined to win that hundred
pounds at all hazards, and give the
young Scotch jackanapes his much.
needed lesson.
Candles were accordingly sent fol
at once and a dead silence ensued.
Every man looked at the other as II
inqHiring what would be the next act
in this singular drama. Even young
Fanshawe forgot to laugh. The
Colonel breathcd heavily. and hi.
eyes glared at his adversary, whs
still retained his unmoved demeapor
A. lost tho 1ivhfc cnno ArvpoT