Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-12-30

morrow wifi be New Years: There Is
something I wish you Mauld bring me
home tonight for Q New Years ent.
Wiii you?S His wife c1dng tQ him az
she spoke, both arms around his neSA:
| "What is it?" he asked. His throat
was full of husks, but his manner
softened. The boy crept to him and
wrapped him tight.
"a new man, George" she said brok-
enly.
He kissed her, stopped and Kissed
the boy and went out without word.
Halverson walked with uncertain,
hesitatihg steps eastward i'm the dim
bystreet to Clark. Empty cars were
running southwark. 1t was O'Clock.
The sky was clearing, and the night
promised fair. Along the great ar
terry of the north side, smooth in its
hcw dress of asphalt, the brilliant
Electric light shone in fsrfetching
lanes, d milkt way fallen TO gross
earth. As the bell of an approach
ing train heralded it's coming he felt
mechanically in HRS pocket for fare.
There was nothing. Struggling closer
into his collar, he started riperward,
| Walking more briskly now. He was
shiyerinp, although well clad, and
within a block he entered saloon
The barkeeper was alone.
II guess you'll have TO let me have
one on credit till next time, DICK,
said Halyerson, with affected brish.
hess. "It's pretty sharp outside, ola
man. on the shelf, please
The batseeper looked at him cur
iously as lie potired out a glassful OF
whisky and drank il eagerly.
"'You look like q ghost, sure
enough" his host commented as Hal
Serson set down the glass. Nhat
have you been doing TO yourself, my
SOM"
A roistering party Of young men
burst through the doorway before
Halsersoh could answer. lie knew
them ali, and they greeted him effu'
sively.
"We're out for sport tonight, Geor-
gle, my LAD. Come along and see the
old year out. BE a good fellow!
cried one, slapping bis back with
jealous energy.
Halvorson laughed. I'm broke to-
night, Charley" he said airily, as If 1t
were joke he could not but relish.
"That makes no difference" re-
turned Charley boisterohsly. i've got
enough for both of us. just drew n
months pay, you know Come on"
What did il matter? Since he was
eonk to end il ali, was going TO make
his escape, was going to shuttle off his
responsibilities this night before ever
the new year dawned, what did it
matter? One more night, with the
riot of spirits in his shaking pnlses, a
last whirl OF the town! II might
harden his grim resolution. He would
go, and he went.
1t was ten hours later when a por-
ter with bucket, mop and bfooni'
shook him roughly by the shoulder.
sect up and get some air. It's New
Yehr's!" called the white aproned
man behind the bar. "You ain't dead
, are youT"
Halvorsoh rose with d start, awake
Recollection had rushed upon him like
an armed man and thrust home. lie
knew what he had to do and grimly
set to do it quickly. Without word
he went out He walked fast to Ran
dolph street and put his face to the
east. So this was the hour! Well, Inc
was ready. The water might he cold
| but he would not shiver long. He
went on swiftly.
Presently he was aware one paceC
, behind him with equal step. Ii h'
( slackened, the other Jagged. When ht
put forth brisker foot, the other heit
to his heel. This annoyed him, but h'
did not look around. Il will shake
him off at the viaduct," he said to him
= self.
You are In haste tonight" the 9th
: er called banteringly over his shoul
5 der "Why tonight? Why not yester
day? Why not ten years ago? WHY
= not tomorrow"
? The other drew beside him. Hal
verson looked furtively and knew hi
/, companion, though it had been lont
l since they had spoken. gloom.
? frown clouded his flushed brow.
2 at must be tonight. 1t is the end,
5 he said, as if in apology
+ "Ah!" said the other. rs it so? i
: is you, then, who will leave it all be
{ hind, who will fee, who will be tn
p coward? What of them? What o
: her? What of the boy? Must the,
= bear the brunt alone?"
: II cannot help it," he faltered. "The
a can be no worse off anyway. And
$ isn't my fault. It's the cursed luck!
he ended savagely.
|. "Yes, the cursed luck, p" the othe
t answered, echoing his own innermos
!, thought. "Whose cursed luck? Theirs
not yours. Has she been loyal, dc
voted, loving, true, forbearing, wife
\ q mother? And has he called you pa
). pa, dear, and looked with his deel
e truthful eyes to you as his shield an
s his refuge, his solace, his God? An
v you, what have you done? Have yo
e poured your patrimony down you
n throat? Have you sunk your manhoo
n at the gaming cloth? Have you pal
love with neglect and cast the joys
@ fatherhood to swine? Have you, wh
n have talent and education and once ha
d friends, sold your possessions stick
stick until your wife pawns her wee
+ ding ring to buy fire and food for h'
r baby--and for your
, Halverson hung his head. The
C were on the viaduct now. The otht
o. drew vet closer until he touched hin
g A pale light faltered among the stal
which marked the east before then
- They walked on together.
4 "Pah!" cried the other in burst {
= high scorn. "You sicken me. You al
= less courageous than the mere beas
4 you with brain. Do you think yo
= are nothing? Do you believe by pul
=, ing the shelter of the lake over yo'
~ own miserable head and body you pr
80 serve your honor? Why, man, ma
y mani Awake!"
= They stood far out upon the lor
;, pier beside the deep water.
=" "Even now," the other cried, Wi
:. energy, turning Halverson to him,
y that they looked in each others S
face, "a sweet faced woman kneels b
'e side your bed and prays. Tears ff