The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-04-23

of the Owenses, see?"
The doctor looked at him curiously
He had in his library d volume on dip
somania; others on heredity. Some idea
of the fight before the lieutenant
dawned upon him, and even he shivered
a little at the thought of what Owen
had already passed through, hiding MS
habit, yet every moment fearing detec-
ton and shame and open disgrace.
and do you expect to cure MIN of
it?' he thoughtfully asked of the trust
dog-rubber.
Spud's face gloomed.
I'm fond of a good thing on pay day,
doctor, with the boys, but sinc= this
here miserable racket I've sworn off.
What t ell? My righteous example
amt no good. He breaks out IN spells,
and there amt no knowing when Sam
my's going to break out. That's the
worst. Some day he'll do il at the
wrong time, when ] amt aroUnG-and
then it'll break the old mans heart
He looked at the now sleeping officer
in despair.
Wish he'd get shot before it becomes
known he muttered fiercely. Doc
tor, the boys will do anything you ask.
Doctor, this is for NEEDN'T give it
away. Cure him. He's a good sort"
The Kid hummed gently.
Did the senator drink hard, Murphy,
when he was trading in politics, in that
sweet land you're so fond of-the
ward?"
why sure, sir. they all did, said
Spud, but he took it like a man.
And his father l suppose" said the
Kid, grimly, took it like man, and
his, and this poor devil is the result
Murphy, my lad, when you say your
prayers or tell your beads, or whatever
you do, pray that drinking may again
become fashionable-in the interests OF
Lieutenant Owen. And, in the mean
time, before he wakes and gets the
blues. you had better corral his cart
ridges"
Il done that" said Spud, though it
might be better that way, too
No, Murphy" said the Kid. THAT
would be d bad expose. Soldiers must
fill other people with bullets, but
should scrupulously respect their own
persons"
The Kid respected private Spud's anx-
iety to save the unhappy lieutenant
from dismissal. He watched over
Ovens attack of malaria personally.
so that even that critical outbreak of
the maniac's passed unnoticed by the
adjutant of men. In week Owen was
back with the troop, gaYer and thin
HSl- uuttltI anu oiN GI liIctli tN tI. Dul
with the same nervous courteousness
which made his troopers. as also his
comrades, regard him with a plying
liking.
The little doctor and Owen had long
private talk. and it is to be supposed
the Kid dabbled in nostra outside the
regular pharmacy of the faculty for
he and Owen took together four weeks
leave of absence, and the doctor
brought the lieutenant back to Spud
looking better than ever he had since
the craving had burst upon him.
Take him, Murphy. said the Kid,
confidently, land you can let him have
the run of the pistol cartridges"
THE blessing of the ward is on you
said Spud with great joy, and there
after permitted himself to mingle as
freely as in former days with the troop.
to take his regular break at the post
traders and TO discuss the glories of
the ward and of the owen family as
magniloquently as before. Again the
old saloonkeeper received a latter from
his son. which he showed to the sena-
tor, and again was the old lawmakers
heart borne up within him, as he
dreamed of glory-real glory, not Of the
political order. whose hollowness he
knew-for his boy
For war was in the air. the Maine
went down, and then war come.
That war was six months after the Kid
had brought Owen back to duty. During
the last three of these the soul of Muir
ply had been possessed with doubt
Something was wrong with his charge,
just what he could not say. 1t was not
the old trouble-not once had the I'M
holy thirst consumed the ofiicer-that
seemed indeed TO have left him, through
the little doctors radical cure, what