Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-29
THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS: THURSDAY NAY 29 1902
his point something seemed 20 90

this point something seemed 20 &c
wrong with the orchestra. The cello
appeared to be wandering almlcssly IN
and down the scale, occasionally pick.
ing up with the tune with animation
and then dropping it. As Billy saw me
approaching he drew himself up with
great soemnity, gravely winked at me
and said:
"shlipped cog, Misther Connor!
Mosh unfortunate! Bcauchiful hin.
strument, but ships q cog. Mosh hun.
fortunate"
And he wagged his little head sagely,
playing all the while for dear life, now
second and now lead.
Poor Billy! I pitied him, but I
thought chiefly Of tho beautiful, eager
face that leaned toward him the night
the league was made and Of the bright
voice that said, You'll sign with me,
Billy| and 1t seemed to me q cruel
deed to make him lose his grip Of life
and hope, for this Is what the pledge
meant to him.
While was trying to get Billy away
to some safe place I heard great
shouting in the direction of the bar,
followed by trampling and sculling Of
feet in the passageway. Suddenly q
man burst through, crying:
"Let me so. Stand back! I know
what I'm about!
1t was Nixon. dressed in his best.
black clothes. blue shirt, red tie, look.
ing handsome enough, but half drunk
and wildly excited. The Highland
Fling competition was on at the mo-.
ment, and Angus Campbell, Lachlan's
brother. was representing the lumber
camps in the contest Nixon looked on
approvingly for few moments. Then,
with quick movement, he seized the
little highlander swung him in his
powerful arms clean off the floor and
deposited him gently upon beer bar.
rel. Then he stepped into the center Of
the room, bowed to the judges and be-
gan sailors hornpipe.
The committee were perplexed, but
after deliberate they decided to hu-
NOR the new competitor, especially at
they knew that Nixon with whisky In
him was unpleasant to cross.
Lightly and gracefully he went
through his steps, the men crowding in
from the bar to admire. for Nixon
was famed for his hornpipe. But when
after the hornpipe he proceeded to ex-
ecute clog dance. Garnshcd with
acrobatic fcats, the committee inter
fered. There were cries of Put him
out"' and let him alone! Go on, Nix
on" And Nixon hurled back into the
crowd two of the committee who had
and. standing in the open center, cried
out scotmfully:
Put me out. Put me out. Certainly,
Help yourselves. Don't mind me-
Then. grinding his teeth so that |
heard them across the room, he added,
with savage deliDeration, If any man
lays II finger on me, I'll-Ill eat his
liver cold"
He stood for few moments glaring
round upon the company and then
strobe toward the bar, followed by the
crowd, wildly yelling. The ball was
forthwith broken up. l looked around
for Billy. but he was nowhere to be
seen. Graeme touched my arm.
"There's going to he something Of a
time, so just keep your eyes skinned
he said.
What are you going to do?" asked.
DO: Keep myself beautifully out of
trouble" he replied.
l., no ,r-1 n
surSng back, headed by Nixon, who
was waving a whisky bottle over his
head and yelling as one possessed.
"Uello" exclaimed Graeme softly.
Il begin to see. Look there"
whats up" asked.
"You see Idaho and Slavin and their
pets" he replied. "Theyve got poor
Nixon in tow. Idaho is rather nasty"
he added. but | think I'll take a hand
in this game. I've seen some of Idaho's
work before"
The scene was one quite strange to
me and was wild beyond description.
A hundred men filled the room. Bottles
were passed from hand to hand, and
men drank their ill. Behind the re-
freshmen tables stood the hotel man
and his barkeeper, with their coats Off
and sleeves rolled up to the shoulder.
passing out bottles and drawing beer
and whisky from two kegs hoisted up
for that purpose. Nixon was in his glo-
ry. 1t was his night. Every man was
to get drunk at his expense, he pro-
claimed, hinging down bills upon the
table. Near him were some league men
he was treating literally. and never far
away were Idaho and Slavin passing
bottles, but evidently drinking little.
| followed Graemc, not feeling too
cOmforta bic, for this sort Of thing was
new to me. but admiring the cool as
surance with which he made his way
through the crowd that swayed and
yelled and swore and laughed in a
most disconcerting manner.
Hello" shouted Nixon as he caught
5 4 Of Graeme. Here you are"
ing him bottle. you're q
l,cr, a double handed front door
kuocker. You polished of old whisky
soak here, old demjohn." pointing to
Slavin. land I'll lay eve to one we
can lick any blankety blank thieves In
the crowd" And he held up roll Of
bills.
But Graeme proposed that he should
give the hornpipe again, and the floor
was cleared at once, for Nixon's horn.
pipe was very popular and tonight Of