The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-20

good? Just see how it smiles! It's
the very best in town, and we've got
more bottles in waiting. There's ten
whole glasses for you, Billy, just for
down your throat. an remember how
1t smells. Lordy! I do feel almost
like drinking 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
shining, his lips trembling, his whole
form in a CULVER; but even then, with
forced his arms back to his Sides.
Don't, O'Neil!" he implored
don't, don't, don'tl" his voice rising
quaveringly. You know how it's with
It'll do you good,'' infexibly.
you're getting thin from going with
out it SO long and it's better to enjoy
the stuff trickling down your throat
bottlefuls. You know what we say
goes, Billy, and you must drink the
whole thing
Billy dropped upon his knees.
Don't" he repeated DULY, 'I don't
want to. If 1 smell it 1 can't stop
then. You and mes been good friends,
O'NeiI. and I've danced and-and
drunk lot for you. Let me off this
time. And-and if you don't mind I'd
like to say why
ooh, let the poor devil make his con-
fession, O'Neil," interposed one Of the
cowboys good naturally. You know
hof It's with Patterpat. If he smells,
as he says, he won't stop easy. It'll be
two months before he sobers up. Let
him start in right"
Billy shot him a grateful look
Its like this" he said, with a pa
thetic eagerness in his voice. ''Six
country and l saved girls life. She
was caught by a bear, and-and I
suppose acted some brave. Anyhow,
she and her folks thought so and took
me in. Since then I've been up there,
and amt tasted drop and I've been
feelin' that mebbe l could make
something of myself some time, like
used to think IA long While ago."
There was a little catch In his
voice, then he went on in lower tones;
me and the girl was to be married
came down today for a ring and
license. They believe in me up there
and I've Joined in with them, and, .
his eyes suddenly became steady and
aggressive at a giggle from one of the
cowboys, eff 'twant for the whisky I
believe I could be a good man again;
better one than you could ever be-
Danny. But. of course" his voice
again dropped and his hand reached
mechanically toward the bottle, this
will finish it all. Up there they don't
have anything strong to drink, and
and they never suspected I was that
way. When they find this out it'll be
over with us. I'll run through myself
soon's I can, and-and the girl and
they'll feel sorry; but you'll have your
dance carnival. So we won't all lose.
Now you can give me the bottle,
O'Neil."
But O'Neil was holding the bottle up be-
tween his own eyes and the sun
Seems pity to spoil such good stuff
he said regretfully, but it's got to be-
Then in a. louder voice: Here you fer-
lers. see that stone over t'other- side the
street? Wen, every one who's got a bot
tie shy at that, and the one who breaks
into the most pieces will go with Billy
to see about the ring and license Then
We'll all club in for a present and
Billy's head went up suddenly His eyes
were moist.
mo. no." he protested. IT don't want
no present, gentlemen. I've been working
hard up there and have got some ahead
I'm all right longs can keep away from
that STUFF.
Shut up, Biliyr" ONen retorted IN
grao4ously. "'Tain't you; it's a present
for the bride And I reckon we'd better
be handy's anything up among them
Mennonite farmers. Now, fellersI one
two, three and crash!" and with the last
word a half dozen or more bottles. delfv-
cred from as many unerring hands
crashed against the stone-Frank n