The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-14
Chapter III.
BOOK.yI.
STAGES OF DRINK.

T. Not Alice alone had observed Christine and
Tabb that day. Roger, helping Tabb, carry
bundles. had kept open his eyes and ears
The boy was more trusted now, but lived no
comfortable Hfe since he had no friend.
Frank was gone from town., Nick and Pete
turned a shoulder when they met in the
street, and the boy was alone among dis
agreeable sights and sounds But he main
tanned his courage and. with senses alert,
studied all about him.
z And so, when that afternoon he saw
I'abh kiss Christine behind the parlor door.
he felt compassion for the girl who, with
her pretty face, lacked the strength to guard
herself He had not been often to the cot
tage, and in Ignorance of the length to which
the two had gone, he ventured, when he and
Tabb were on the streets, to plead for the
girls innocence.
Let her alone" he begged. There are
other women enough
None quite so NICE" answered Tabb, with
. laugh half contented, half boastful.
Roger was silent for a minute THE poor
little dolt'' he thought, keen with his young
experience "A country girl she seems,
Tabb," he said aloud, you know the end OF
0ayoh a one-the camp"
Tabb gave hin, sidewise an uneasy glance.
why do you speak of her? Let be-
''Or the street. added Roger Come,
Tabb," he pursued, following up with swift
understanding the impression he that
ne nad uhade; us nOt ZOO late. t1aVe
mercy
LET be-" growled Tabb again.
He would look at the boy. Roger, meet
Ing no danger, thought to reinforce his appeal
by a suggestion.
''If you should harm her. he said, ''the
captain would be angry"
He meant Tudor; but Tabb turned on him
with short, harsh laugh. ''There you are
wrong!' he cried, with miserable triumph
which the lad perceived. ''The captain Or
dered it!''
"Ordered M?' exclaimed Roger; then he
understood Our captain he murmured.
'Ay,'' said Tabb. plague me no more.
No"-as Roger would have spoken again
'for It's too late, tell you"
In surprise Roger was silent. Then, in a
moment disgust began to creep over him.
Why should the captain have to do with the
debauching of a servant maid? 1t was too
small, too mean. He glanced repeatedly ait
Tabb, and saw that the man walked with
ecowling face, not liking the thoughts which
the lad had summoned. There was conscience
in him, Roger saw Presently Tabb met the
boys glance and, looking f1ercely at him,
stopped abruptly. They were before public
house.
II going in here moment he said.
"Wait." He put his bundle at the lads feet
and went into the inn. When he returned
he was wtping his mouth, and, picking up
his bundle went on again. not waiting to
Feea II Roger followed tr' 80 1900! ~
(. eff he took gin or rum" thought Roger,
going after, "he will be boastful soon
"a He knew the steps of Tabb's drunkenness
as well as of Sotheran's The captain, with
each glass, did but become more hard and
cruel, and was never overcome Tabb pro-
gressed through boastfulness to affection,
then to Ia short stage of babbling before he
collapsed Roger had often thought that in
the brief tendency to confidence Tabb might
betray a secret, If there were any to conceal.
Tabb did become boastful soon AT the
Ellery house, whence Sotheran had been
. called by other duties. Tabb paused before
i he left, and. looking around the hall, laughed
noisily.
'lHa," he said. IF Frank Ellery knew
what we are DOING
Anger stirred in Roger at the familiarity,
but he said nothing.
''And If the lady knew" said Tabb.
Roger controlled himself. 'She does
know" he said.
May" and Tabb laughed again. "She
knows not all I know-nore than you know,
my boy he leered "a good sight more Ii
she knew what I could tell-but come away
There is more to do
i, And as they passed out the gate Tabb put
@ hand on the lads shoulder. Secrecy
" he said solemnly, secrecy means life some
times, my boy" He shook his head wisely,
then fell to snickering.
'Is there secret?" thought Roger. could
I learn it?' He wondered how he should 20
about It.
'Tabb," he said when they reached the
public house ON their return. II have a
shilling to spend. Lets GET" He ges-
tured at the door.
Z 'Ay,' answered Tabb affahly, and turned
toward the inn. 'ENo, no' he cried, paus-
. ing. g 'Tis agains orders; you must not
drink.
1t was Sotheran's strict command that the
boy should no longer be allowed liquor.
''Nol'' added Tabb positively; and then sly
ly, as Roger showed the coin already in his
hand ne suggested: ''But II you will lend
the money to me III make it up to We some
other day
Roger hestatingly offered it. ''If YOU take
Goo much!" he warned. =
''Never fear, !" retorted Tabb. 'Pve no such
weak head as yourself. and to lose no time
I'll even buy a bottle"
From the moment when Tabb again
emerged from the taproom, more deeply
primed, and with his bottle safe Roger did
not leave his elbow. In the trips back and
forth, the mans moods slowly changed to the
affectionate. And when they finished theil
task, and put down their last bundles in the
Ellery entry, Tabb sat down on the settle.
II told ye,'' he said, holding up the bottle
where but a few swallows of the strorg New
England rum remained, that. could las
eff could but teach you how to drink. The
pleasure that you lose!' He wagged his
head. -. -
II know said Roger regretfully -
And now, when 1 sit down and rest" sait
Tabb, 'it makes me remember all that has
happened to me. Some way to-day p
"Now!'' thought Roger. ..-, ..
But Ann appeared before them, her hands
upon her hips. Away with ye,'' she cried
''if your work Is done. Out of my clear
housp with your dirty feet, you drunker
lout!'' a. ~ @ ..s-s.... ~. +
Dear old girl said Tabb, critically
Roger was in agony lest the mood would b.
lost. "You can't stir him. he said to Ann
Don't you see? Leave nae to manage him.
"Get out, We toon!'' repeated Ann.
Away, hags squaw!' Knocked Tabb; 20
sit down, PRETTY maid, and listen. will tel
you stories
/? Leave him to me-" urged Roger. "Ann
ao."
ITO your health!'' cried Tabb, draining hi
bottle.
Roger family pushed Ann to the dining
room go, CO." he insisted; and whispered
'Ann, it is important"
She doubtfully withdrew. Ann was no
pleased with the new order of things. Roge
turned quickly to Tabb.
Come said Tabb; "sit by my side, Roger
get to thinking-what was I tfinAing?''
"Of Christine suggested Roger.
Poor Christine!'. sighed Tabb. And yet
vow love the wench." He shook his head
"She's plaguing me to marry her. If /
weren't for the captain would do it, for
hate to see her cry; but he forhids it.