Williston graphic., 1904-04-14


whisky fust. Then his legs are al
wheels an parabolas an ricoshays an
scintillates. It's what the good book hal
to the end Of it, the revelation. Nov
you stand right here, an I'll santer ou
to the middle of the street. That's hin
comm yonder, an beginnin' to dodge
already. That's the way he used to do
an we had to round him like wild
mustang. an then fill him up"
Billy -Patterpat was a block and
half away, coming On slowly and look
ing from side to side for some avenue
of escape. The gradual spreading o.
the cowboys across the street brough1
up memories of past experience, and his
eyes had begun to grow troubled and
full of apprehension. At length h<
stopped and looked back; but it was toe
late now. Several of the cowboys were
near their mustangs; and, as he turned
they swung into their saddles and dashed
up the street. In q few moments ne was
in their midst, struggling and protest
ing, his eyes big with terror OF what he
felt was coming.
Don't We give it to me, gentlemen,
he pleaded. I'm plain now, an
twouldn't be right. I amt danced II
six months, an amt tasted a drop
Don't We make me now
Look at that, Billy said Bronco
holding up bottle between Blllys
eyes and the sun. Don't that look good
Just see how it smiles! It's the very
best in town, an we've got more DOT
ties in waitin'. There's ten whoie
glasses for ye, Billy, jest for you. Think
how it'll feel runnin' down your throat
an remember how It smells. Lordy!
do feel almost like drinkin' the whole
thing myself. But here, Billy.
He reached out the bottle suddenly
and Billy's hands-both of them-went
hungrily toward it. His eyes were shin
ing, his lips trembling, his whole form
in a culver; but even then with an al
most superhuman effort he forced his
arms back to his side.
Don't, Bronco" he implored. Don't,
don't; don't" his voice rising quavering-
ly. "You know how't is with me.
Please don't. l don't want to-"
It'll do you good" inflexibly. you're
gettin' thin from goin' without so long,
an it's better to enjoy the stuff trick
lin down your throat slow than to have
it poured down in bottles full. You
know what we say goes, Billy, an you
must drink the whole thing.
Billy dropped upon his knees.
"Don't!" he repeated, DULY. II don't
want to. If smell can't stop then.
You an mes been good friends, Bron-
co, an I've danced an'-an' drunk lot
for you. Let me of this time. An'-an'
if you don't mind, I'D like to say why"
"Oh, let the poor devil make his con-
fession, Bronc," interposed one of the
cowboys, good naturedly. "You know
how't is with Patterpat. If he smells,
as he says. he won't stop easy. It'll be
two months fore he sobers up. Let him
start in right"
Billy shot him grateful look.
ITS like this" he said, with pa"
thetic eagerness in his voice. "Six
months ago happened to be up in-the
country, an I saved girls life. She
was caught by bear, an-an' s'pose
I acted some brave. At any rate, she
an her folks thought so, an took me in.
Since then I've been up there, an amt
tasted drop, an I've been feelin' that
mebbe I could make something of N.Y.
self some time, like used to think a
long time ago." There was catch in
his voice, then he went on in lower
tones: me an the girl was to lie mar
ried. I came down to-day for a ring
and license. They believe in me up
there, an I've joined in with them, an !"
his eyes suddenly becoming steady and
aggressive at giggle from one of the
cowboys-"if't wasn't for the whisky
believe I could be good man again, a
better one than you could ever be-,
Danny. But, of course" his voice again
dropping and his hand reaching me-
chanically toward the bottle, "this will
finish it all. Up there they don't have
anything strong to drink. an'-an' they
never suspected was that way. When
they find this out, it'll be over with U.S..
I'll run through myself soon's I can, an
an the girl an they'll feel sorry; but
you'll have your dance carnival. So we
won't all lose. Now you can give me the
bottle, Bronco"
But Bronco was now holding the bot
tie up between his own eyes and the
sun.
Seems a pity to spile such good
stuff" he said, regretfully, "but it's got
to be did" Then, in a louder voice:
Here, you fellows, see that stone over
'tother side the street. Well, everyone
who's got bottle shy at that, an the
one who breaks into the most pieces will
60 with Billy to see bout the ring an
license. Then We'll all club in for a
present, an"
Billy's head went up suddenly. H1s
eyes were moist.
mo, no." he repeated. Il don't want