Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-10-28
CHAPTER VII.
THE LAST OF THE PERMIT SUNDAYS.


f"1HE spring round ups" were all
over and BRUCE had nothing
lMWSSl to do but to loaf about the
lSEgsgD Stopping Place, drinking old
Latour's had whisky and making him
self 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 day
and then would break forth in violent
augmentation against religion and all
who held to 1t. He sorely missed the
Duke, who was away south on one OF
his periodic journeys, Of which no one
knew anything or cared to ask. The
Dukes presence always stendied Bruce
and took the rasp out Of his manners.
It was rather relief to all that he
was absent from the next fortnightly
service, though Moore declared he was
ashamed to confess this relief.
II can't touch him." he said to me
after the service. He is fur too clever.
But" and his voice was full Of pain.
I'D give something to help him."
IF he doesn't quit his nonsense" !
replied, hell soon be past helping.
He doesn't go out of his range, his few
cattle wander everywhere, his shack
is in beastly state and he himself Is
going to pieces. miserable fool that he
is.p For 1t did seem o shame that q
fellow should SO throw himself away
for nothing.
'sYou IRE hard" said Moore. with his
eyes upon me.
Hard? Isn't 1t true2" 1 answered
hotly. 'srhen. there's his mother at
home"
Eyes, but can no help It? Is 1t oil
his fault2D he replied, with his steady
eyes still looking into me.
Ellis fault? Whose fault, thenfv
"What Of tho Noble Seven? Have
they anything to do with thisp 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
no added: What have any Of you
done to help hint The Duke could
have pulled him up q year ago II he
had been willing to deny himself lit
tie, and 80 with all of you. You all do
just what pleases you regardless Of any
other. and so you help ono another
down"
could not find anything Just then to
say, though afterward many things
came to me. For, though his voice was
quiet and low, his eyes were glowing
and his face was ahght with the fire
that burned within. aud tek tia une
convicted OF crime, Thls was Ger
tainly new doctrine fos the week On
uncomfortable doctrine to practice, IN
terfering seriously With personal lib
erty, but, in the Pilots way Of viewing
things, difficult to escape. There would
be no end to ones responsibility.
refused to think 1t out.
Within fortnight we were think
ing It out with some tntentness. Tx
Noble Seven were to have a great
blowout at the Hill brothers ranch
The Duke had got homo from hit
southern trip little more weary look
ing and little more cynical In hii
smile. The blowout" was to be HEX
on permit Sunday, the alternate to TIN
preaching Sunday, which was a con
cession to the Pilot, secured chief!
through the influence Of HI and hi
baseball nine 1t was something 4
have created the situation involved Il
the distinction between preaching AM
permit Sundays. HI put It rathe
graphically. "The devil takes hi
inniuas ONE Sunday nnd Ahe. PiIbt III