Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-08-08
BIBLE.


in the face of keen northwest wind, we
were riding home to the ranch. There
was no talk between man and man. but
to his mount each spoke q word from
time to time-a word of encouragement
when he Jagged, or of reproof if he STUN
bled.
Toward 10 o'clock, when nearing the
gate of the pasture, a light appeared
ahead and to the left Of our course As
we came up to the fence we saw that it
was lantern hung on a fence post some
twenty rods off the road, and swinging
in the wind. By its ftful flare a man in
long ulster was digging in the hard soil
with a short-handled spade.
The man engrOssed in his task had not
seen, or, at least had not noticed US. The
loose horse turned in at the gate
struck up lively gallop; there was 4
general shaking up of bride reins and 4
ringing of spur chains. Up long hill
and down steep, short one, and we We're
at the ranch house, and the grumbling
cook was turning out to get us a hot sup.
per. Half an hour later we were well
warmed and eating a good meal in the
mess house.
''Laraway is digging up his Bible
again" remarked the cook as he poured
some strong black coTee into big cups
Frank LaraWay was a better man by
half than the men you know. He had
spent as much will power in resisting the
drink habit as would suffice to carry two
average men through life in honOrabl
careers, surrounded by friends and fami-
~, and pass them on with Al credentials
to a better world.
On the ranch and range he became a
valuable empioye, but twice or more each
year he would disappear for a time re-
turning haggard, shrunken and dead
broke, and with fresh determination
to conquer the appetite. Il don't want
to be good, or great, or rich" said he; Il
just want to be my own boss.
1t CHANGED one day that LaraWay,
then SOLDERING up in little railroad
town, heard a man say: Il am going to
swear off this time on the biggest Bible
in town." He asked if he might go, too
The two men went to a pastors study,
and the section hand, requesting him to
produce the large pulpit Bible, was sell
EMMY sworn, with his hand on its open
page, to abstain forever from all intox-
lcating beverages.
''That is long WHILE" was Laraway's
comment.
DO you keep the Bible locked up?"
asked the Irishman, anXiously.
1.-The building is always closed when
not in use replied the pastor.
why did you ask him that?' de-
manded Laraway, when they had come
away.
The Irishman marveled at the ques-
tion. why, don't you see?" said he.
''It's because if | can't get at the book
when the first is on me [ can let off,
Laraway bought a Bible, and he prom
Used himself, with his hand upon it, that
he would taste no liquor for six months.
Then he came home and went to work.
He wrote the date in the book, and kept
the book in his pocket. He kept the
promise to the letter and the day.
After that spree he made an entry on
the fyleaf, agreeing to abstain for one
year. This time he did not carry the
book in his pocket; he took it out ON the
range and buried it.
THAT crazy Irishman's notion about
getting let off If he can lay hands on the
book don't go for cent with me now"
said Laraway, but before the year is
up III be crazy Irishman myself.
He made no secret of the measures he
took against himself, and when some one
Offered to keep the book for him in a Sc
cret place, said: 1T would do no good.
If | wanted it when the appetite is upon
me I'd have it if [ had to kill my best
friend
The one year pledge proved too hard
to keep, Twice since its making at in
tervals of six or eight months Laraway
had dug up his Bible, Cancelled his pledge
and got drunk Tonight we had seen him
overcome for the third time.
Why don't some of you make sneak
on his Bible and cache it where he can't
find it?'' asked the Kid.
''Oh. he would kill the man that
touched it. and get drunk just the same"
declared the cook.
well, I'd like to see it tried" per-
sisted the Kid.
'Why not do it yourself?" asked the
foreman. Nobody is holding you
What me?' said the Kid. in a shaky
voice; I'm only a boy and he went
away to bed.
AS the clock struck for midnight the
mess-house door was flung open--as
thought by a stronger gust of wind.
Turning to look, | found myself looking
into the muzzle of one of Laraway's guns.
He stood at the doorway with his eyes
afire and gun in either hand.
Which one of you dogs has got my
Bible?'' he cried. Its not in the hole.
and III give you just ten seconds to pro
duce it,
''Now, Laraway," said the foreman, in
smooth tone. you got the drop on us
all right. tell you it's Gods truth that
not q man here knows anything about
your Bible. We thought you had dug it
up and was half way to town by now.''
1t looked as though someone was going