The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-27
Our Daily Sbort Story

an 'ain't tasted drop. Don't ye make me now"
 Look at that Billy" said Bronco, hold ing up a bottle between Billy's eyes and the sun. Don't that look good? Just see how 1t smiles! It's the very best in town. an we've got more bottles in waitin'. There's ten whole glasses for ye, Billy. jest for you. Think how it'll feel rum nin' down your throat. an remember how 1t smells. Lordy! I 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 hun grily toward it. His eyes were shining, his lips trembling. his whole form in a culver; but even then with an almost superhuman effort he forced his arms hack 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. I 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 stun tricklln' 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. "I don't want to. If I smell can't stop then. You an mes been good friends. Bronco, an I've danc- ed an'-an' drunk a lot for you. Let me off this time. An'-an' if you don't mind I'd like to say why
 "Oh, let the poor devil make his con fesslon. Bronc." interposed one of the l cowboys, good naturedly. You know how't is with Patterpat. If he smells. as he says, he won't stop easy. Itn be two months fore he sobers up. Let him | start in right
 Billy shot him a grateful look. It's like this" he said. with a pathetic | 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 ain't tasted a drop. an I've been feelin' that mebbe I could make something of myself some time. like I used to think a long time ago.. There was a catch in his voice, then he went on in lower tones: Me an the girl was to be married. came down to-day for a ring and license. They be- lieve in me up there. an I've joined in with them. an "-his eyes suddenly be- coming steady and aggressive at a gig
  wasn't for the whiskey believe I could good man again, better one than you could ever be. Danny. But, of course" {" his voice again dropping and hls hand reaching mechanically toward the bot tie, this will finish 1t all. Up there they don't have anything strong to drink, an -an' they never suspected I was that way. When they fSnd 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 spiIe 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. We'll. 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 swell all club in for a present, an'-"
 Billy's head went up suddenly. His eyes were moist.
 No. mo-" he repeated. ''I don't want no present, gentlemen. I've been worlih' hard up there, an have got some ahead. I'm all right longs I can keep away from that stuff''
 "Shet up, Billy" Bronco retorted, un- graciously. 'Tain't you; it's a present for the bride. An reckon we'd better make 1t two of our best ponies. They'Il be handy's anything up 'mong them Mem