Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1899-12-14

IN III hhC NfCbo -
act of cruel kindness, IL not downright
folly. especially as ne seemed but half
sober. Yet, the unfortunate man was
evidently chilled to the bone, n q
stimulant might, under IL clrcum-
staices. do him more good than harm.
What ought he to do?
Come along, Tom," he said. You
shall have your drink, If you think you
can carry it."
Garry ltg' repeated Webb, with a
grim laugh. 81 can carry a fair skin
full. especially in weather like this.
After all, you're a good chap, West
on"
So saying he disappeared in the fog,
followed by his impromptu host. he
knew his way we'll to the latter's rooms
in the Adelphi, and he wanted a few
yards start. Drunkards are as cum
ming as other more fully-deyeloped
madmen. His idea was to provide an
opportunity for swallowing the remain
ing contents Of his flash, which he
trusted to have r~eplenished subsequent
ly. He had to sneak across the road
way to accomplish his object, for West
on was strong and fleet of foot. But
he maraged it and, breaking into a
shutting run, overlook his host near
Somerset House.
Better take my arm, OF I yours. in
this fog" remarked Weston. why,
what's the ratter, TomT
What, with the hasty swallowing or
raw rum and the scurry through the
foggy air, Tom Webb was incapable or
intelligent speech. So he adroitly put
a soiled handkerchief across his mouth
and grunted automatically. This (as
was intended aroused his companions
unquestioning concern, and they ar
rived at the Adelphi arm-in-arm. A
somewhat steep climb up three flights
of stairs brought them to the modest
but withal cosy couple Of rooms which
Weston lin grandiloquent moments)
sometimes referred to as his cham
bers." A well banked fire doomed red
in the crate. and a large lamp, prompt
ly turned up to full power. revealed as
comfortably furnished a little sitting
room as any reasonable bachelor need
desire.
1t revealed something more, some
thing that had not been so marked be-
meath the fog-bedimmed street-lights.
IL tNtdl lhC AAllhb NollbiaSl bN-
tween the two
TEN Webb, from his unkempt, griZ-
Zled hair and dirty, crumpled collar TO
his frayed trOuser ends AID down-at-
heel shoes, appeared TO he an exceed
ingly disreputable vagabond of forty
five or fifty. In reality, he was barely
thirty years of age.
His host was just a well-set-up man
Of twenty-eight, who scarcely looked
his age. Neatly. if somewhat plainly,
dressed, but remarkably we'll groomed
and blessed with more than an average
share of good looks, Ralph Weston
stood forth in the lamp-light as IA very
good sample. indeed, of a healthy, man.
ly young Englishman. A look Of sor-
riw and pity that he could not sup
press came over his face as he marked
the ravages which drink and neglect
had wrought in his former schoolfel-
lows appearance. Then, taking him
with friendly force by the shoulders,
he pressed him into an armchair by
the fire, and bestirred himself on hos
pitable thoughts intent.
(which shall it be, TomT' he querfed.
opening a cellaret. Beer or whisky?
WV MUM fuiNc'S vi SuoICe, L HuSl
say"
Whisky will do all right" was the
reply, IF you don't happen to have
any rum"
Cant endure even the smell Of the
stuff" rejOined Weston; but here's
the whisky. And, as I'm pretty sure
you've had no supper yet, I'll see what
| can discover in the way Of eatables.
| feel as if l could manage a snack N.Y.
self"
Now, considering that Tom Webb
had broken his fast that day upon
nothing more substantial than n
baked potato, purchased in the street.
he might have been expected to rejoice
at the prospect of a supper Of any sort.
Not he. The money borrowed upon his
overcoat had been spent solely upon
rum. And the uppermost thought upon
ms mind now was to secure the oppor-
tunlty or replenishing his flask, with
MS hosts whisky. Ralph's brief ABB
sence TO the larder gave him his
chance, and he was quick to seize II.
A slip OF paper was hastily trans
formed into In impromptu funnel, and
half he contents of a bottle of whisky
were hastily transferred to the bar.
tered old flask. 1t never occurred To
MIN that he was doing anything wrong
or mean In thus surreptitiously helping
himself. The whisky he must and
would have, and it would probably be
refused to hin were he to ask for it.
his scruples vent 10 further.
weston noted with renewed concern
that although his wayward guest did
out scanty justice to the little suppe,
set before him, he contrived TO replen.
ism his glass several times before he
rose TO depart, and that he was thicker
or speech and unsteadier Of limb Than
Defore. He even proposed to him TO
camp for the night upon the sofa. bnt
10 this suggestion Webb would NOT Iis,.
EN- ut all. s
wen, Tom" he remarked. at Ienptn
you are your own master. and mnst
nave your own way, 1 suppose. Rut 7
nave a spare ~overcoat, and | absolute
~ insist upon your getting inside II no.
fore I'll let you GO"
10 THIS Webb consented, DOMINIC tho
prohered garment, contriyed TO holm