Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-04-07


late now. Several OF the cowboys were
near their mustangs; and, as he turned
they swung into their saddles and dashea
up the street In few moments no was
in their midst, struggling and protest.
ing. his eyes big with terror Of what 10
felt was coming.
Don't W give 1t to me. gentlemen.
he pleaded. I'm plain now. IN
'twouldn't be right amt danced In
six months. an amt tasted drop
Don't ye make me now"
Look At that. Billy" said Bronco.
holding up bottle between Billy'p
eyes and the sun. Don't that look goodf
Just see how It smiles! It's the very
best In town, an we've got more bot
ties in waitin'. There's ten whole
glasses for ye. Billy. Jest for you. Think
how it'll feel runnin' down your throat.
an remember how 1t smells. Lordy! J
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 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
1t poured down in bottles full. You
know what we say goes, Billy, an YOU
must drink the whole thing. VI
Billy dropped upon his knees.
"Don't!" he repeated, DULY. II don't
want to. II 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, Bronze" interposed one Of the
cowboys, good naturally. "You know
how't is with Patterpat. II 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.
"It's like this" he said, with pa !.
thetic eagerness in his voice. six
months ago happened to be up in the
country, an saved girls life. She
was caught by bear, an-an' spose
| 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 my
self some time, like / used to think a
long time ago." There was catch ih
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
here, an I've Joined In with them, an"
his eyes suddenly becoming steady and
aggressive at giggle from one of the
,owboys-"if't wasn't for the whisky
believe could be good man again, q
better one than you could ever be.
Danny. But. of course" his voice again
lropping and his hand reaching me-
toward the bottle, this will
Irish 1t ALL Up there they don't have
Inything strong to drink. an'-an' they
lever suspected was that way. When
hey find this out, it'll be over with us.
II run through myself soon's can, an
AN the girl an they'll feel sorry; but
QUILL have your dance carnival. So we
Won't all lose. Now you can give me the
ottle, Bronco"
But Bronco was now holding the bot
le up between his own eyes and the
un.
Seems pitysto spile such good
tuff," he said, regretfully, "but it's got
0 be did" Then, in q louder voice:
Here, you fellows, see that stone over
other side the street. Well, everyone
hos got a bottle shy at that, an the
ne who breaks into the most pieces will
o with Billy to see bout the ring an
cense. Then we'll all club in for a
resent, an"
Billy's head went up suddenly His
yes were moist.
mo, no." he repeated. 81 don't want
o present, gentlemen. I've been work.
/ hard up there, an have got some
head. I'm all right longs can keep
way from that stuff"
"Shet up, Billy" Bronco retorted. un- 4
'Tain't you: It's present
II the bride. An reckon we'd better
AXE 1t two Of our best ponies. They'll
} handy's anything up 'mong them
ennonite farmers. Now, fellows! one,
70, three, an crash" And with the
ct word. half dozen or more BOTTLES,
'liyered from a. many hands, crashed
yninst the stone.
QUIET. REsTFUL TOWN.