Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1903-10-14

|" HE spring round ups" were al
over and Bruce had nothing
l@-s=T=Sf 10 do but 10 loaf about the
SSzASJ Stopping Place, drinking old
Latour's bad whisky and making him
self a nuisance. In vain the Pilot
tried TO win him with loans OF books
and magazines and other kindly cour-
teSies. He would be decent for n day
and then would break forth in violent
augmentation against religion and all
who held TO it. He sOrely missed the
Duke, who was away south on one OF
his periodic Journeys, OF which no one
knew anything or cared 10 ask. The
Dukes presence always steadied Bruce
and took the rasp out of his manners.
1t was rather relief TO all that he
was absent from the next fortnightly
service, though Moore declared he was
ashamed 10 confess this relief.
Il can't touch him." he said 10 me
after the service. He is far too clever.
But" and his voice was full of pain,
ia give something TO help him"
If he doesn't quit his nonsense"
replied, he'll soon be past helping.
He doesn't go out OF his range, his few
cattle wander everywhere. his shack
is in a beastly state and he himself is
going to pieces, miserable fool that he
is" For it did seem a shame that Il
fellow should so throw himself away
for nothing.
You are hard" said Moore, with his
eyes upon me.
Hard? Isn't 1t trueF" 1 answered
hOtly. Then, there's his mother Mt
home"
Yes, but can he help il? Is 1t all
his faultT" he replied, with his steady
eyes still looking into me.
His fault? Whose fault, them"
"Nhat Of the Noble Seven? Have
they anything to do with this?" His
voice was quiet. but there was an ar
resting intensity in it.
Well | said. rather weakly, "a
man ought To look after himself"
"'Yes-and his brother little" Then
he added: What have any of you
done to help him? The Duke could
have pulled him up II year ago if he
had been willing 10 deny himself Il lit
tie. and so with all of you. You all do
just what pleases you regardless of any
other, and SO you help one another
down"
l could not find anything just then 10
say. though afterward many things
came TO me. For. though his voice was
quiet and low, his eyes were glowing
and his face was alight with the fire
that burned within, and felt like one
convicted of crime. This was GER
tainly new doctrine for the west, an
uncomfortable doctrine to practice. in
terfering seriously with personal lib
erty. but. in the Pilots way of vicwM ~
things, difficult TO escape. There would
be no end to ones responsibility.
refused TO think il out
Within fortnight we were think
ing il out with some intentness. The
Noble Seven were to have great
blowout at the Hill brothers ranch.
The Duke had got home from his
southern trip little more weary look
ing and little more cynical in his
smile. The blowout was 10 be held
on permit Sunday, the alternate to the
preaching Sunday, which was con
cesslon TO the Pilot. secured \ chiefly
through the influence of Hi and his
baseball nine. Ii was something 10
have created the situation involved in
the distinction between preaching and
permit Sundays. Iii put il rather
graphically. The devil takes his
innin's one Sunday and the Pilot the
next" adding empha ;ically. "IIe haint
done much scorin' yit, but my money
on the Pilot, you betr' Bill was more