The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-29

pGlSuuSlOu " IiIuuCe ulul W SO OOHL
to the ball, the glorious success OF
which was glowingly depicted, but
Nixon remained immovabie. and they
took their departure baflled and curs'
ing. IL two hours they returned drunk
enough to be dangerous, kicked at the
door in vain, finally gained entrance
through the window, hauled Nixon out
of bed and, holding glass Of whisky
to his lips, bid him drink, but he knock.
ed the glass away. spilling the liquor
over himself and the bed.
It was drink or fight, and Nixon was
ready to fight. but after a parley they
had q drink all round and fell to per
suasion again. The night was cold, and
poor Nixon sat shivering on the edge OF
his bed If be would take one drink.
they would leave him alone. He need
not show himself so stiff. The whisky
fumes filed his nostrils. If one drink
would get them off, surely that was
better than fighting and killing some
one or getting killed. He hesitated,
yielded, drank his glass. They sat
about him amiably drinking and laud-
ing him as q fine fellow after all. One
more glass before they left; then Nixon
rose, dressed himself. drank all that
was left Of the bottle, put his money in
his pocket ard came down to the
dance wild with his old time madness,
reckless Of faith and pledge, forgetful
Of home. wife, babies, his whole being
absorbed in one great passion-to drink
and drink and drink till he could drink
no more.
Before Shaw had finished his tale
Craig's eyes were streaming with tears,
and groans OF rage and pity broke al.
ternately from him.
Abe remained speechless for time,
not trusting himself, but as he heard
Craig groan, "Oh, the beasts, the
fendsv he seemed encouraged to let
himself loose, and ne began swearing
with the coolest and most bloodcurdling
deliberation.
Craig listened with evident approval,
apparently finding complete satsfac'
ton in Abe's performance, when sud,
denly he seemed to waken up, caught
Abe by the arm and said in horror
stricken voice:
"Stop! Stop! God forgive US! We
must not swear like this"
Abe stopped at once and in a sur
prised and slightly grieved voice said:
"Why, what's the matter with that!
Amt that what you wanted"
eyes, yes. God forgive me! l am
afraid it was," he answered hurriedly'
"but / must not.'
"Oh, don't you worryr' went on Abe
cheerfully. "I'll look after that part
And anyway amt they the blankest
blankety blank"- going off again into
a roll of curses till Craig, in an agony
Of entreaty, succeeded in arresting the
flow of profanity possible to no one
but mountain stage driver. Abe
paused, looking hurt, and asked if they
did not deserve everything he was call
ing down upon them.
Eyes, yes" urged Craig, "but that Is
not our business"
"Well, so I reckoned," replied Abe,
recognizing the limitations Of the cloth
"You amt used to it, and you can't be
expected to do it, but it just makes me
feel good-let out Of school like-to
properly do 'em up, the blank, blank
And off he went again. It was only
under the pressure Of Mr.. Craigs pray
ers and commands that he finally
agreed to ''hold in, though it's tough"
whats to be done?' asked Shaw.
Nothing" answered Craig bitterly.
He was exhausted with his long ride
from the Landing and broken with bit
ter disappointment over the ruin Of all
that he had labored so long to accom-
plish.
''Nonsensew said Graeme. "There's
a good deal to do"
1t was agreed that Craig should re-
main with Nixon, while the others Of
US should gather up what fragments
we could find Of the broken league.
We had just opened the door when we
met q man sriding up at great pace.
It was Geordie Crawford.
"Hae ye seen the lad?'' was his salu-
tation.
No one replied, SO told Geordie Of
MY last sight Of Billy in the orchestra.
can did ye no gang after him?" he
asked in indignant surprise, adding,
with some contempt, Mon. but ye're a
feckless buddiep'
"Biily gone, too?' said Shaw. "They
might have let Billy alone.
Poor Craig stood in dumb agony.
Billy's fall seemed more than he could
bear. We went out, leaving him heart
broken amid the ruins Of his league.