News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1899-10-04
LARAWAY'S BIBLE.

U&11HH1111H>H-"1 VHHNHNTNNNN
On a cold and starless March even
snq in the face of a keen northwest
wind. we were riding home to the
ranch. There was no talk between
man and man, but to his mount each
smoke a. word from time to time-a
word of encouragement when he
Jagged or of reproof if he stumbled.
Toward 10 o'clock, when nearing the
gate of the pasture, 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 fence
post some twenty rods off the road
and swinging in the wind. By its Mt
full flare a man in a long ulster was
digging in the hard soil with short
handled spade.
The man engrossed in his task mad
not seen, or, at least had not noticed
us. The loose horse turned in at the
gate struck up lively gallop; there
was a general shaking up of bride
reins and ringing of spur chains.
Up long hill and down a steep, short
one. and we were at the ranch house.
and the grumbling cock was turning
out to get us hot supper. Half an
hour later we were we'll warmed and
eating good meal in the mess-house.
"Laraway is digging up his bible
again" remarked the cook, as he
poured some strong black coffee into
big cups
Frank Laraway was better man by
half the men you know. He had
spent as much will power in resisting
the drink habit as would suffice to car
ry two average men through life in
honorable careers, surrounded By
friends and family, and pass them n
with Al credentials to a better world.
On the ranch and range he became a
valuable employe, but twice or more
each year he would disappear for a
time, returning haggard, shrunken and
dead broke, and with a fresh deter
animation to conquer the appetite
f'I don't want to be good, or great, or
rich" said he; 81 just want to be my
own boss."
1t CHANGED one day that Laraway,
then SOLDERING up in a little railroad
town, heard a man say: 81 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, request
ing him to produce the largest pulpit
rbible, was solemnly sworn, with his
hand on its open page, to abstain for
ever from all intoxicating beverages.
THAT is a long while" was Lara
ways comment.
"Do you keep the bible locked up?"
asked the Irishman, anxiously.
''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 I can't get at the book
when the first is on me I can let off. -
Laraway bought a bible, and he
promised himself with his hand upon
it. that he would taste no liquor Cor
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 flyleaf, 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 a cent before me
now" said Laraway, "but before the
year is up I'll be crazy Irishman my
self"
He made no secret of the measures
he took against himself and wher
some one offered to keep the book tol
him in secret place, said: 1T would
do no good. If wanted it wheC the ap.
do no good If I wnted it when the ap
petite is upon me I'd have it if l hat
TO kill my best friend.
The one year pledge proved too hare
to keep. Twice since it's 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 thirC
time.
"Why don't some Of you make c