The Colfax chronicle., 1904-04-16

seen Dut one PatterpSt. OnIy ne HdS
to be limbered up with great jags OF
whisky fust. Then his legs are all
wheels an parabolas an ricoshays an
scintillates. It's what the good book has
to the end of it, the revelation. Now
you stand right here, an I'll sante. out
to the middle of the street. That's him
comm yonder, an beginnin' to dodge
already. That's the way he used to do,
an we had to round him like a 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 OF
the cowboys across the street brought
Us memories of past experience. and his
eyes had begun to grow troubled and
full of apprehension. At length he
stopped and looked back; but it was too
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 few moments he 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. l aln't danced ID
six months, an amt tasted q drop.
Don't We make me now"
Look at that, Billy" said Bronco,
holding up bottle between Bllly's
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 Bot
ties in waitiR. There's ten whole
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
hungriiy toward it. His eyes were shin
ing, his lips trembling, his whole form
in 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 don't want to-"
It'll do you good. infiexibly. 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 I 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 off this time An'-an'
If you don't mind. I'D like to say why"
ooh, 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 q grateful look.
tits like this" he said, with pa
thesic eagerness in his voice. six
months ago happened to be up in the
country. an l saved girls life. She
was caught by a bear, an'-an' s'pose
/ 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 l could make something of my
self some time, like l used to think
long time ago." There was catch in
his voice, then he went on in lower
tones: ME an the girl was to be mar
ried. / came down to-day for 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 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 us.
I'll run through myself soon's 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 pity to spile such good
stuff" he said, regretfully, but it's got
to be did" Then, in louder voice:
Here, you fellows, see that stone over
'tother side the street. Well, everyone
who's got a bottle shy at that, an the
one who breaks into the most pieces will
go with Billy to see bout the ring an
license. Then we'll all club in for
present, an"
Billy's head went up suddenly. His
eyes were moist.
mo, no." he repeated. Il don't want
no present, gentlemen. I've been work.
in hard up there, an have got some
ahead. I'm all right longs | can keep
away from that stuff"
"Shet up, Billy" Bronco retorted, un-
graciously. Tain't you; it's present
for the BRIDE An reckon we'd better
make it two of our best ponies. They'll
be tandy's anything UP 'mong them