Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1902-06-05

but at the landing as well, from which
most of the ladies had come, and to be
shamed in the presence of the Landing
people could not be borne. Their diff
culties seemed to be increasing, for at
this point something seemed to 60
wrong with the orchestra. The cello
appeared to be wandering aimlessly up
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 solemnity, gravely winked at me
and said:
"Shlipped cog, Misther Conner!
Mosh hunfortunate! Beauchiful hin.
strument, but ships 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! 1 pitied him, but
thought chiefly of the 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 it seemed to me a 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 l heard a great
shouting in the direction of the bar
followed by trampling and scuffling OF
feet in the passageway. Suddenly a
man burst through, crying:
'Let me go! Stand back! l know
what I'm aboutw
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 OF
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 a beer bar.
rel. Then he stepped into the center OF
the room, bowed to the judges and be
gan sailors hornpipe.
The committee We're perplexed, but
after deliberation they decided to hu.
NOR the new competitor especially as
they knew that Nixon with whisky il
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, garnished with
acrObatic feats, the committee inter
fered. There were cries Of "Put him
outw and LET him alone! Go on, Nix
onv' And Nixon hurled back into the
crowd two of the committee who had
laid demonstrating hands upon him
and, standing in the open center, cried
out scornfully:
"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 elaboration, eff any man
ays a finger on me, Ill-Ill eat his
liver cold"
He stood for a 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. I looked around
for Billy, but he was nowhere to be
seen. Graeme touched my arm.
'There's going to be something of a
time, so just keep your eyes skinned"
be said.
what are you going to do?" asked. !
"Do? Keep myself beautifully out of
trouble" he replied.
In a few moments the crowd came
surging back, headed by Nixon, who
was waving whisky bottle over his
head and yelling as one possessed.
Hello" exclaimed Graeme softly.
Il begin to see. Look there"
''What's up?" asked.
'You see Idaho and Slavin and their
pets" he replied. They've got poor
Nixon in tow. Idaho is rather nasty"
he added, "but think I'll take a hand
N this game. I've seen some of Idaho's
work before" I
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 fill. Behind the re. =,
freshment 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
md whisky from two kegs hoisted up
'or that purpose. Nixon was in his glo-
y. 1t was his night. Every man was
TO get drunk at his expense, he pro-
claimed, flinging down bills upon the
able. Near him were some league men
lie was treating literally, and never far
away were Idaho and Slavin passing
bottles, but evidently drinking little.
l followed Graeme, not feeling too
comfortable, for this sort of thing was
lew to me. but admiring the cool as.
'urance 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
light of Graeme. Here you are?'
passing him bottle. "You're q
lnocker, a double handed front door
-nOcker YOu noIiShad off oId ,,,b;e,-r