The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-02
y Lenten ale.

| George is genial companion, a jolly
| good fellow, but he would occasionally
get drunk and forget to go home. He
has the advantage of a fine education
and 1.-The old man" never flinches when
George pulls his Leg" He Is the only
son, and the only son usually has about
all that he wants in the way of funds,
| that is If the stern parent has any
funds, and Georges indulgent sire has
plenty of them.
About 40 days ago George told his
parents that he would abstain from the
| red bowl during the Lenten season. He
| was willing to make this sacrifice, he
said and he confessed that it would be-
for him, big one. George really did
find it difficult to break away from the
| high balls and the fizzes. Every day
| some friend would invite him to kill
| Chinaman" or crack a bot" but
George waived the ceremony and
pleaded indispostion, or Just going to
call on a lady friend" or going to play
whist at home or something else far
from his thoughts and inclinations He
played billiards at the club and took
checks and shook dice for them and
sometime won all the pots. Then he
didn't know what to do with the specie.
He knew what he would under other
circumstances; but with all that temp
tation jingling in his pockets, he really
did not know what to do. He wished
that he had not won, for his friends,
of course. wondered why he did not do
the honors, and he didn't like to do the
honors without taking the same
please" and there he was His COM
panions were supposed to know moth
ing about his "Lenten sacrifice
These distressing times were more
than George had figured on when he
took the pledge and finally he pulled
himself altogether away from his form
er associates, STAYED at home and read
Shakespeare, Paradise Lost" and
Dante's Inferno" He also regularly
read the Standard. He read the adver-
tisements in the Standard, every one of
them; he came to the Standard office
his friends in the East and to others
in Europe. He paid a year in advance
for all and received seven premiums
A few day ago while walking down
Main street George met an old friend
who FASTENED to inquire why he insisted
upon holding himself aloof and remain
ing away from the club so persistently
ITO tell the truth, Charlie, I'm going
to be married soon after Easter" was
the surprise he gave his friend. Then
they walked into the Butte hotel writ
ing room, and there in the mellow light
of shaded incandescents, George pour
ed his past into Charles ear. Whenev-
err men become confidential especially
when there is love story to tell, their
voices become piercing. They endeavor
to speak in muffled voice, yet try to
enunciate SO distinctly that a whisper
will suffice in the most profound mo-
ment Of secrecy. 1t is at these moments
of suppressed excitement that the mar
rators voice becomes poignant, sharp
and penetrating-he thinks that only
one person is listening, when, in fact
man Is feet away hears it all. He can't
help it. 1t came clear and distinct:
She said now that I have quit drink
ing she will have me- l never thought
that the few drinks I took had
any effect on her. ] just put it up that
she didn't care for me. and that while
I had eXacted no promise from her, I
should demand nothing of her; besides,
we have always been the best of
friends. One day quite recently she
came to our house. She seemed to be
so glad to see me.
Il confess l always did like her and
now, since she displayed so much ami
nation in her declarations that she
was glad to see me looking so well, 1
opened both of my eyes, and let me tell
you candidly, I saw in those big blue
eyes world of love. I have looked
into those eyes many a time before, but
may be my sight was dimmed then;
may be I could not see what was there,
She said, oh, George, your mother told
me all. She told me about your COM
ing home and saying that you had quit
drinking; and how awfully drunk YOU
were and how awfully nice you spoke |
of me- And when she told me that YOU
were going to pop the question to me
as soon as you sobered up, I felt like |
shouting for joy, Oh, George Now, l
did say that to mother for she said T |
did, but, Charlie, I'll be riddledy-slam-