The Washington times., 1895-04-21

have to give up whisky and the fiddle, for
she was a Presbyterian OF the strictest
sect, and abe honestly looked upon such
things N deadly enemies TO the soul.
Finding hiE Euit baked in this way, Dan,
with nlEnliEe propensity, actually fell dead
in love with Mas Polly, and one June even
ing, VIXEN they were HtrolIing together in
her rose garden, he sOlennly pledged her
that he would abandon both drink ard the
fiddle II Ehe would marry him, and further
that he would Join the church. And he
kept his werd and Ehe kept hers But il
went hard with MT. Tucker. AS soon as
tho neFelty OF ths new state had worn
away he baEsn to get reEtless and gloomy.
Es missed tho music OF the bSv and he
OeOGEloAslly logged ine1pressibly for a lit
ue gos6 whisky. Everybody remarked the
awful change in his locks He was a
sim, EriEtocuatioIoOkiHs man, and had
been given 10 smart dressing. Now be
dressed cErelSs1ly. occSaionally he hinted
al his desr OLD fi6dle, Bat his wife rigidly
held kina 10 hiE wsrd. UnfOrranstely, after
whtio Ehs began 10 grow GkUeWiEh. and
thiE AAzsS 10 Dams depression. Sometimes
ho 6steTzziRsd TO rebel, break his promise
a@G live tks happy cid life again. His
fiEEsrs fairy iteked for tho strings and the
ksW EEd his gentle soul yeRF1ed for the
HARMLESS music. His health failed His
wife attributes hiE decline to lsKiBeEa re-
snlttKE fruEl dyspepsia. 0Ra day she an
nSEzesS her iRtshtioh OF seiRg 10 ViEit an
aged aunt OF heu, who lived about four
miles away, with a view OF getting a re-
ciEa for q famous herb tonic then used in
U&sss EErta. AE She had not seen her ssnt
fer lsHs time, sbs decided to stay over
niskt Dan Esdsled her mare for her him
self, aRd politely wishing her a happy
visit, watched her until she turned the
bend OF tho road.
Sitting alone by his fireside that night
fer ia VIE cool autumn wc8ther-DaD was
suddenly cvercoTAs by desire TO at least
handle his fiodls ence more. Opening a
little closet over the tall mantelpiece he
drew forth the instrument and the bow
slid after. he wss about TO replace the
bew, bot turned and laid it on a chair.
Then he sighed, took chew OF tobacco
and sat down. BE did not intend TO fOndle
the strings, which were still intact, but
ne could mot help lt. As II unconscious OF
his action he actually tuned the fiddle
only little at time, and with many
intervals OF gazing dreamily into the fire.
Dan was ID sanger and be knew ii. But
he couldn' stop. Having tuned the violin,
he looked around the firclit room almost
tinidly For the first time he became
aware OF his cowardlce: then his neck began
10 stitfen, and the ancient imperial Tucker
blood began TO run. happy thought
struck HIM. Why not have just one good
night Oft? No one would knowi
Leaving the room be soon returned with
hall gallon jug. This he set on the floor,
ana opening desk be wrote tie following:
Mr. Laldlaw:
Please send me l-2 gal. best old corn
and place TO my acct. Be careful not to
let Silas know what you send. have
told him to go for molasses. fear
be would sample the liquor. Yours
truly, ID. B. TUCKER.
Then raising the window sash he called
his oic and chosen servant Silas, who sat
nOdoing with his aged wife by their cabin
fire. Siias heard, and in five minutes he
was on DIS way to the crossroads store,
about a mile off, he having been told that
his mistress, for some reason, had posi-
lively ordered the purchase for that day.
Mr.. Tucker meeldy protesting that he had
forgotten the commission until then
Silas knew the danger of disobeying the
wishes OF his vinegar-tempered mistress.
Depositng the jug in a sack, which he hung
over his shoulder. he bnskly shambled
down the moonlit road. and in due time be
was on the way home with his burden.
As he stepped across little stream that
intersected the road be suddenly halted,
and looking hack over his shoulder, said.
''Hsyoi Wbut kline O. sOun's dat?
amt uuyTeT bear no Iasses go CLICK
CLICK, Ike dati No, sub. Sump'n funny
bout dat"
CHANGING around cautiously, be united
the sack. took out the jug and shook it.
A faint smile played over his grisly
face He drew the stopper and applied
his flat nose to the mouth of the Jug
Then he softly said:
We'll. ] be bles'''
Retiring from the highway some distance
into the brushwoOd, he held the following
facetious dialogue with himself. the an