The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-02-18

took their departure, Datneu ana 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 and, holding a 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 Nixon was
ready to fight, but after a parley they
had n drink all round and fell % per-
suasion again. The night was cold, and
poor Nixon sat shiverlng on the edge of
his bed. If he would take one drink,
they would leave him alone. He 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 hesitated,
yielded, drank his glass. They sat
about him amiably drinking and laud-
Ing him as a 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 and 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 passionate drink
and drink and drink till he could drink
no more.
Before Shaw had finished his tale
Craig's yes were streaming with tears,
and groans of rage and pity broke al
tcrnately from him.
Abe remained speechless for n time,
not trusting himself, but as he heard
Craig groan, "Oh, the beasts, the
ncndsv' he seemed encouraged to let
himself loose, md he began swearing
with the coolest and most bl%oodcurdling
dclibcration.
Craig listened with evident approval,
apparently finding complete satisfac.
ton in Abe's performance, when sud-.
denly lie seemed to waken up, caught
Abe by the arm and said in q horror
stricken voice:
stop! Stop! God forgive usl We
mus 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 wanted2"
Eyes, yes. God forgive me! am
afraid 1t was" he answered hurriedly.
"but | must not"
ooh, don't you worry!" went or Abe
chcerfully. "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 m agony
Of entreaty. succeeded in arresting the
flow of profanity possible to no one
but q mountain stage driver. Abe
paused, looking hurt, and asked If they
did not deserve everything he was cali
ing down upon them.
"Yes, yes" urged Craig, "but that 10
not our business"
"Wcll so l r%eckoned," replied Abe,
recognizing the limitations of the cloth.
You amt used to 1t, and you can't be
expected to Go it, but it just makes me
feel good-lct out of school like-to
properly 10 EN- up, the blank, blank"-
And off he went again. 1t was only
under the pressure of Mr.. Craig's pray
crs and commands that lie finally
agreed to "hold in, though it's tough"
whats to be done!" asked Shaw.
"Notling," answered Craig bitterly.
He was exhausted with his long ride
from the Landing II broken with bit
ter disappointment over the ruin of all
that lie had laborcd so long to accom-
plish.
"NOnsensc!" said Gracme. "There's
4 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 Il man stridlng up ut a great pace.
1t was GeOrdic Crawford.
"IIae we seen the lad2" was his salu-
tation.
No II replied, so 1 told Geordie of
my last sight of Billy In the orchestra.
AN did We no gang after hIm?" he
asked in indignant surprise, adding,
with some contempt, Mon, but ye're n
fecklcss buddic"
Chilly 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.