The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-08-03
regained. Not so in America He

regained. Not so in America Here.
when a man falls, II he has the
strength to brace up again. he goes to
the west. and, rubbing up against
new society. absorhs fresh magnetism
and recuperates at once. No one need
despair in this land of the free But
London is compact. The Englishman
hates to leave his home. HIS fai.ings
are known. and if he remains they are
flung in his face. There is 70 escape
for him and as his friends shun him
he falls deeper in disgrace.
This was the trouble that had beset
the shepherd. who. having sensitive
and perhaps weak miEd. succumbed to
the pressure that surrounds Inn. and
after time, with broken spirit. he
left England and went TO the colonies.
He practiced law in Melbourne for
some time successfully, but the old
habit came back on him. and, as he
could not resist temptation, he buried
himself in that sheep station.
This was the story he told me, and
there was no doubt of its truth.
1t was now getting late. and the
shepherd insisted on my taking his
couch-an old canvas cot. with plain
gray blanket spread upon it. So. as I
was tired, accepted the offer. and lay
down for nights rest: My ~ompan-
Ion stretched hic tall figure on the
grass outside. Jack lay between us.
The ttrangeness Of the scene. to-
gether with the strong tea, seemed to
Danish sleep from me, and must have
been lying there for an hour, with my
eyes closed but quite awake. when
presently / heard something stirring.
Opening my eyes, saw the shepherd
sitting up in the doorway with his
head resting on his hand. He seemed
uneasy, ard began restlessly to pass
up and down in front of the hut. The
dog remained still, but felt that he
was watching his master as he walked
light.
Presently the shepherd stopped in
front Ct the hut and came with hes
itating but irresolute step toward the
door. He entered slowly, and, stoop-
ing down upon his hands and knees.
crawled stealthily to the chair on
which my coat was hanging. He put
his hand in the breast pocket and
drew forth the flask CT liquor. And
now he seemed bewildered as If some
strong emotion had seized upon him.
and then fell upon his knees as if in
prayer.
SUDDENLY he seemed to rise. and in
stead Of drinking the liquor, placed
the flask untouched back in the pocket
OF the coat. Then. stretching himself
on the floor. with an apparent air of
comfort and satisfaction, he went off
to sleep.
The whole proceeding SO haunted me
that It was broad daylight before
closed my eyes. When I awoke the
sun was high in the heavens. My host
had prepared breakfast. After our meal
he spoke freely of the nights proceed
ings to me. I told him had seen all
that had taken place.
Il thought 1t might be So" he said,
1.-The old craving came upon me. so
strong. too: but If ever I prayed for
strength it was then. Well. at that
moment there was hand laid on my
! head, calmness came over me that
had not felt for years. and when I
returned the flask to your pocket
knew then. as I know now. that an
other drop of liquor will never pass
my lips. AS God is my Judge. be-
lieve it was the ange! hand Of my
dead wife that rested on my fevertsh
head. 1t is all over now, thank
heaven! and can leave this lonely
, place and return to the world again
with safety.
t