Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-29

strong cofTee stea aiming on the stove. II
was he that had told Craig on his ar
rival from the Landing, of Nixon's
fall.
There was nothing of reproach. but
only gentlest pity, in tone and touch as
Craig placed the half drunk, dazed
man in his easy chair, took off his
boots, brought him his own slippers
and gave him coffee. Then, as his stu.
pcr began to overcome him, Craig put
him in his own bed and came forth
with face written over with grief.
Don't mind, old chap" said Graeme
kindly.
But Craig looked at him without
word and, throwing himself into
chair, put his face in his hands. AS we
sat there in silence the door was sud
denly pushed open, and in walked Abe
Baker, with the words, Where is Nix
onW and we told him where he was.
We were still talking when again a tap
came to the door, and Shaw came in
looking much disturbed.
Did you hear about NixonT he ask
ed. We told him what we knew.
but did you hear how they got
him7' he asked excitedly.
AS he told us the tale the men stood
listening with faces growing hard.
1t appeared that after the making OF
the league the Black Rock hotel man
had bet Idaho hundred to fifty that
Nixon could not be got to drink before
Easter. All Idaho's schemes had failed.
and now he had only three days in
which to win his money, and the ball
was his last chance. Here. again. lie
was baked, for Nixon, resisting all en-
treaties, barred his shack door and
went to bed before nightfall, according
to his invariable custom on pay days.
At midnight some Of Tdaho's men came
battering at the door for admission,
which Nixon reluctantly granted. For
half an hour they used every art of
persuasion to induce him to go down
to the ball, the glorious success of
which was glowingly depicted, but
Nixon remained immovable, and they
took their departure, batlled and ours
ing. In 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 ard, holding n glass of whisky
to his lips, bid him drink, but he knock
ed the glass away, spilling the liquor
over himself and the bed
1t was drink or fight, and Nike n was
ready to fight, but after n parley they
had 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 he would take one drink,
they would leave him alone. lie need
not show himself so stiff. The whisky
fumes filled his nostrils. If one drink
would get them off, surely that was
better than fighting and killing some
one or getting killed He hcsitatcd,
yielded. drank his glass. They sat
about him nmiably drinking and laud
ing him as 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. forgetfu
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
tcrnately frocl him.
Abe remained speechless for time,
not trusting himself. but as he heard
Craig groan. "Oh, the beasts, the
tiends"' he seemed encouraged to let
himself loose, and he began swearing
with the coolest and most bloodcurdling
deliheration.
Craig listened with evident approval,
apparently finding complete satistac-
ton in Abe's performance, when sud
denly he seemed to waken up, caught
Abe by the arm and said in a horror
stricken voice:
stop. Stop! God forgive US! We
must not swear like this"
Abe stopped at once and in sur
priscd and slightly grieved voice said:
"Why, what's the matter with thatl
Amt that what you vantedT
les, yes. 1Ou lOTSlNe NE. uLu
afraid it was" he answered hurriedly.
but ! must not"
"Oh. don't you worry" went on Abe
eheerfully. "I'll look after that part.
And anyway amt they the blankest
blankety blank"- going off again into
Il 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.
Yes, yes" urged Craig, "but that is
not our business"
"Well, So | reckoned." replied Abe,
recognizing the limitations of the cloth.
you amt used to II, 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 of he went again. 1t was only
under the pressure Of Mr. Craig's 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 Lapiing and broken with bit
tur IiSnpnoiNtnapt oynr tho ri,it, of a