The National tribune., 1901-12-19

''HE SUNK his FORK DOWN THROUGH
A COUPLE INCHES OF THEM
must do my best to sit quiet and not
make bigger fool of myself than L can
| help"
He pulled out his bandanna and mopped
his face vigorously, but the more he wiped
| the harder he perspired.
Il wonder whar is dem spoons. l
| fought | done laid dem right dar." said
one of the walters, coming up. "You
didn't see muffin OBJ no silver spoons, did
| you, Ross?'
No" was all that the Deacon would
| trust his tongue to say.
''Mouty QUAR- what become oh DEM
| said the waiter, moving off to search else
| where. Il was sho' done laid dem right
| round here, somewhat
Il think l said No all right, but | was
afraid to try more. How queer my legs
feel | know they'll bend under me if
l try to get up. Great goodness, how
long does a fit OF this kind last? The
only drunkard that L remember well was
old Jake Moore, and it used to take him
Il full week to get over his sprees The
others are noticing me. | see the Gov
crnor and DR.. Campbell looking at me, as
they talk together"
'Sho' yOu didn't see no spoons on dis
No; / didn't see anything of them
said the Deacon irritably. He was gladly
surprised to find that he could talk
clearly.
He felt his legs cautiously, but got no
hope. He had sat still so long that they
were asleep, and this scared him worse
than ever.
called the Governor. we want to speak
TO you
Never in all his life had the Deacon
felt so abjectly wretched as at that mo-
mcnt He was as certain as he lived that
if he rose to his feet and attempted to
walk that he would reel, and reveal his
condition to the Chief Magistrate of In
diana and DIR. Campbell. This would be
worse than death. But there was no
help for it. He rose heroically, resolving
to make a clean breast of it, and throw
himself on the Governors mercy. He
found no difficulty in rising. however, nor
in standing erect. He stamped his foot
a little, and the ''sleepiness' seemed to
disappear
Il amt so drunk as | thought | was"
he said to himself, but I'll tell the Gov
ernor ALL"
Stiff and erect, he marched across the
room, and began:
Governor. I'm ashamed to say''-
BE ashamed of nothing. Deacon" said
the Governor cordially. Il know that you
never did anything in your life that
decent man ought to be ashamed Of Sit
down there. DR.. Campbell and | have
been talking about you
II know it, groaned the Deacon. 81
could see'-
I'VE were saying" continued the Gov
ernor, not noticing the interruption, that
Sherman's men must be in frightfui shape
after their long march through Georgia.
and that as there are a number of In
diana regiments among them, we ought
TO send them help at once.
Yes said the Deacon. meekly, not
trusting himself farther
we must send to Washington for them
what we can at once. Probably at Wash
ingtOn they are arranging to forward
everything Immediately. The trouble is
as to whom to send with our contribu-
tions. DIR. Campbell tells me that all the
Commissions reliable and competent men
have been sent to Nashville. to look after
the Indiana men who were wounded in |
the recent battle, and they haven't a sin |
gle man to spare Therefore. we have
concluded to send you on to Washington |
with our money and other contributions |
to come into communication with the San |
itary people there, and so hurry the re-
lief up as fast as possible"
Governor" said the Deacon, rising to |
his feet, Il shall be the proudest man
in the world TO do your errand'
All thought OF his intoSication was in
stantly forgotten. He stood erect, ami
mated, delighted.
"Glad to find you so ready" answered /
the Governor. 1--WE couldn't have found
a better man, Doctor. Now, Deacon. this
affair cries haste. Those poor boys must
be In terrible need, and he gives twicel
who gives quickly. The sooner that we
can get help through to them the more
lives we may save. You had better go
right back to your hotel. and get ready
to leave on the train which goes at /