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

ball, and most of the league men deter
mined to show their appreciation of
the concession Of the committee to the
principles Of the league In the impor-
tant matter Of refreshments By attend.
ing in force.
Nixon would not 90. However jaun.
tily he might talk, he could not trust
himself, as he said, where whisky was
flowing, for 1t got into his nose like
fishhook into salmon" He was from
Nova Scotia. For like reason Vernon
Winton. the young Oxford fellow,
would not 70. When they chaffed, his
lips grew little thinner and the color
deepened in his handsome face, but he
went on his way. Geordie desplscd the
"hale hypothick" as daft ploy," and
the spending of S. upon a ticket he
considered a "sinfu' waste O guild si,-
ler," and he warned Billy against
"coontenancin' ony sic redeeklus non.
sense"
But no one expected Billy to go, al.
though in the last two months he had
done wonders for his personal appear
ancc and for his position in the social
scale as well. They all knew what
fight he was making and esteemed him
accordingly. How well remember the
pleased pride In his face when he told
me in the afternoon Of the committees
urgent request that he should join the
orchestra with his cello! 1t was not
simply that his cello was his 10y and
pride, but he felt it to be a recognition
OF his return to responsibility.
| have often wondered how things
combine at times to mans destruc-
ton
Had Mr.. Craig not been away at the
Landing that week. had Gcordie not
been on the night shift. had Mrs. Ma
Nor not been so occupied with the care
of her sick child, it may be Billy might
have been saved his fall.
The anticipation of the ball stirred
Black Rock and the camps with thrill
of cXpectant delight. Nowadays when
| find myself forced to leave my quiet
smoke in my studio after dinner a the
call of some social engagement which
| have failed to elude | groan at my
hard lot. and wonder as look ba ok
and remember the pleasurable antici-
patton with which | viewed the APP
preaching ball. But | do not wonder
now any more than | did then at the
eager delight of the men who for seven
days in the week swung their picks up
in the dark breasts of the mines or who
chopped and sawed among the solitary
sicrccs of the great forests. Any break
in the long and weary nionotony was
welcome. What mattered the cost or
consequence? To the rudcst and least
cultured of them the sHmeness of the
life must have been hard to bear, but
what it was to men who had seen life
in its most cultured and attractive
forms fail to imagine. From the mine.
black and foul, to the shack, bare,
choercss and sometimes hideously re-
pulSive, life swung in heart grinding
monotony till the longing for a big
drink or some other big break" be-
came too great TO bear.
1t was we'll on toward evening when
Sandy's four horse team, with load
Of men from the woods, came swing
inc round the curves Of the mountain
Ibtu dliI uON II lUt street. \ gay
crowd they were with their bright.
brown faces and hearty voices, and
in ten minutes the whole street seem
ed alive with lumbermen-they had
a faculty of spreading themselves so.
After night fell the miners came down
done up Slick for this was a great
occasion. and they must be up to it.
The manager appeared in evening
dress, but this was voted too giddy"
by the majority.
As Gracmc and passed up to the
Black Rock hotel, in the large store
room of which the ball was to be held.
we met old man Nelson, looking very
grave.
Going, Nelson. aren't you?" l said.
YES" he answered slowly. "Tn
drop in, though | don't like the looks
of things much"
whats the matter. Nelson?" asked
Graeme chccrily. There's no funeral
on"
Perhaps not" replied Nelson. but
wish Mr.. Craig We're at home" And
then lie added. "Thcrc's Idaho and
'NItl III loE'llitI, anu sou Dtl thc
devil isn't far Off"
But Gracme laughed at his suspicion,
and we passed on. The orchestra was
tuning up. There were two violins. a
conccrtna aud the cello. Billy Rreen
WAS lovingly lingering his instrument.
now and then INDUCING himself in a
little snatch Of some air that came to
him out of his happier past. He look
ed perfectly delighted, and as paused
to listen he gave me Il proud glance out
of his deep. little. blue eyes and went
on playing softly to himself. Present
ly Shaw came along.
That's good, Billy" he called out.
you've got the trick yet, l see."
But Billy only nodded and went ON
playing.
where's Nixon" asked.
Gone to bed" said Shaw, "and I am
glad of It, He finds that the safest
place on pay day afternoon. The boys
don't bother him there"
The dancing room was lined on two
sides with beer barrels and whisky
kegs. At one end the orchestra sat; nj
the other was a table with refresh
ments, where the soft drinks might he
had. Those who wanted anything else
might pass through short passage
into the bar just behind.
This un = pyiInptIy a sunnriOr hind NJ