River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-10-13

They landed in Donaldson. And SIRE
e. ough, as they sauntered down the
street, there was Debeyoise walking on
the other side, grip in hand, hot and tired
and dusty.
They caught up with him, and Mr..
Dobbins was duly introduced. Now
remember" whispered Higginson, into
the ear of Dobbins, keep him away
from that big factory that you see there
in the hollow, and keep him drunk all
day tomorrow"
Mr.. Dobbins, past master in the art of
making an evening go pleasantly and
fast, started in. And Mr.. Debevoise, find
ing that Mr.. Dobbins was made up of the
real fibre, joined him. They began with
a wine supper that diminished Mr.. Dob
bins roll to some extent; then they took
in the local theaters, then gambling
house or two, then with few other
kindred spirits, sat about table at the
hotel, and just drank, drank, drank. Mr..
Dobbins kept constantly at the side OF
Mr.. Debevoise, and kept up flow OF
conversation that was remarkable.
"Higginson." remarked Mr.. Dobbins
to himself "may know how to make
money, but | certainly know how TO
spend it, all right, all right"
Mr. Debevoise was not altogether at
ease. Something seemed, from time to
time, to trouble him. He was trying
evidently not to forget himself. But
Dobbins was constantly on hand with a
fresh order and fresh sally and mer-
ry burst of laughter which attracted Mr.
Debevoise's attention from whatever he
may have had in mind.
Once he took out note book IL
mustn't" he murmured to Dobbins, Il
i mustn't forget-business. Business
before pleasure, don't you know. Il
mustn't forget"
PLEASURE returned Mr. Dobbins,
neatly, "is my business. So have pleas
ure before pleasure and pleasure after
pleasure; in fact I'm very busy at it all
the time"
Whereupon Mr. Debevoise called for
another round, and time went on-and
On-and on.
The others left, but the two still re-
manned. Debevoise kept constantly re-
ferring to something that -1e had to do,
81 must not forget business he said
But he did forget business. He forgot
everything. It was after five o'clock in
the morning that his head sank upon the
table and he fell asleep. Mr.. Dobbins,
who had drunk sparingly during the
evening, but who, nevertheless, was
weary, called hotel porter.
81 think | can improve on Higginson's
plan" he whispered to himself. Then
he spoke aloud to the porter. Porter"
he said, this gentleman and l are due
at East Monroe, up on the mountain, at
eight o'clock Can you get us a rig?"
East Monroe, as Dobbins had found
from inquiry the night before, was a
small deserted village far up the noun
tain side without railroad accommoda-
tons. Dobbins reasoned that if Mr.. De-
bevoise were landed there, he would
have some difficulty, considering every
thing, in making connections with p.
B. Hathaway, the manufacturers OF
glue. The rig was procured-a large,
old-fashioned affair; and they hoisted
Mr.. Debevoise inside, and Dobbins took
a seat beside him, and they were off,
for long, gentle, weary drive up the hill
side. 1t was such tedious drive that
Mr. Dobbins himself, was forced to close
his eyes; and side by side, the two men
slept. At East Monroe the driver woke
Dobbins, and, as Debevoise still slept,
they carried him gently into the village
tavern and put him carefully to bed.
Then the carriage turned around and
went back home. 'Now," whispered
DObbins to himself, as he sat beside the
PROSTATE form of Debevoise in the little
room, now I've got to keep awake to
see that he keeps asleep" Twice did De-
bevoise start up somewhat wildly, his
hand on his notebook, and cry that he
must attend to business. But Dobbins
religiously piled him with the cup that
cheers and inebriates as well, and he
dropped off once more. All that day
Debevoise slept and all that day Dob
bins watched. At dusk the landlord
called Dobbins down to the telephone.
Higginson was at the other end of the
wire. He had found out at Donaldson
that they had climbed the mountainside.
"You can come down now" he said
to Dobbins, 'just as soon as you like.
Good-by." Then he rang off. Dobbins
went back to Debevoise with broad
grin on his face.
''Hey, old man." he said, wake up.
You've got some business to transact.
Don't forget that you've got to go down
to P. B. Hathaway's."
Debevoise stretched his arms above
his head and yawned.
"P B. Hathaways," he asked. For
what?"
Dobbins grinned ITO get an order
for that glue"
Debevoise snorted. Then he reached
in his inside pocket and drew forth a
paper. Good Lord" he answered,
there's their order. for the whole
blamed thing. l had it in my pocket
yesterday afternoon, and had packed
my grip and was going home when you
chaps met me-" He rose and slapped
his thigh. by George" he exclaimed,
81 knew there was something. For 10
hours I've been trying to send back to
the shop a good news telegram and
haven't done it yet"