New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
DAVE.

Of two men who sat talking at a table.
IL tell you he's sweet on my cousin Phoebe
damn himi" exclaimed the younger man. bring
Ing his fist down the table
"And what's that got to say TO ito" replied
the other in a slow. heavy voice Josh Tuck
EFT 'ull never see no DARKER o. his married 70 a
drunkard.'
Dave amt no drunkard: he takes his glass
and goes out. Dang him. | wish he wor"
The elder man leaned forward and caught
bold Of the button Of his companions coat.
answer mo this. Tummas Rod" he said,
"didnt his father die o drink"
"Ay sure
"And his grandfather afore him."
"Ay certain
"Bant his three brothers lying In the church,
yard this very minet reglar soaking the place
VT spirits. the grass nver growed casual over
their graves the same as it did over tother
folkcs"
"Whats that got 20 do wi Dave7'
"Why. begore, he'll come to the like sooner
or later mark my words II he don't. He's q
drunkard now-at heart. Scores o. times I've
reckoned to hear his throat split and crack
when the drink dizzles down it,
A heavy flush rose TO Rods face. And may
It: the sooner the better" he said.
"you and ne thick anur boys" re-
piled the old man. rising. and regarding him
curousy.
Rod turned away and went back to the bar
Didn't tell zee that ne be sweet my
cousin and her ol him." he answered. In
sulen voice.
There was a sound If footsteps. and Dave en-
tered. the old man taking his departure at the
same time Rod glanced with quick scrutiny
at the newcomers gaunt but boysh face. As.
dropping his bag of tools. he tlung sixpence on
the counter.
"A half and half Tom" he said. My throat
ba reglar dring'i squeezed up with thirst"
The flush Rods face receded. leaving 1t
ashen gray He filed a small glass TO the brim
with spirits and pushed it across the bar. Dave
swallowed the contents at gup and stood.
lingering the glass nervousy
Take another nip" said Rod.
"Naw wan ba anufr. thank ee.''
"Come. I'll stand yer
Dawes thin white face redeemed. Il dursn't."
he said turning away and picking up his bag
Of tools
The innkecper burst into rough laugh You
puts me in mind Of a maid before her first kiss.
terrible afraid. but wonderful willing he re-
Piled Come" ne urged. unsteadily drink
There was silence a moment.
"Ba it zummat pertikler speshiiT' Dave asked
st length.
IL told ee ia set my mind on it,
Drink ba kindidlins temptsome." Dave NUT
tered, half to himself as ne watched Rod fill
two glasses with spirits. "Wull." he added,
gulplng down the spirits with feverish iinpa-
tience may zee git what zee want and more"
is ms wit n
ing: TO the damnation Of Dave Vlint body
and soulr' he exclaimed. and draining thc glass.
flung II across the bar at the wall opposite.
For moment The two men regarded each
other in silence: then Dave turned on his heel.
halted moment at the door. and glanced
back Did 'ee mean they wuds'" he said
",Twor mort but a bit o fun" Rod answered.
forcing a laugh.
"Ther amt mort speshil vantyGhecny Snowy
In SIGH Jokes" replied Dave. and going out he
left Rod alone He made his way through the
street and up the hill behind the village. where
the pin. trees stood inassing the blue sky Ike
heavy blue-g green clouds. Leaving the road. he
entered the wood by a footpath 1t was au-
tumn. Che ground was strcwn with cones. over
head The wind soughcd with The sound Of the
sea Standing beside broken stiIe was girl:
her chestnut hair. escaping from the kerchief
that bound it, rippled and curled about her
neck and forehead Dave started when he saw
her and advanced more slowly. She came
toward him. and they stood together: she vas
not tall. about az high AZ his heart.
Waits come to ZEE Dave" she exclaimed, In
Z soft cultural voice; its dree weeks since
you've bin a-ngh me"
He was SILENT aver,ing his eyes as If he were
frn.t