River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-03-17

to the middle Of the street. That s MIN
comm yonder, an beginnin' to dodge
already That's the way he used TO 40,
an we had to round him like Wild
mustang. an then filI.him up
Billy Patterpat was a block and a
half away, coming on slowly and iook-
ing from side TO side tor some avenue
of escape. The gradual spreading OF
the cowboys across the street brought
up memories of past experience, and MS
eyes had begun to grow troubled ana
full of apprehension. AT length ne
stopped and looked back; but 1t 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 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 | amt danced II
six months, an amt tasted a drop
Don't We make me now.
Look at that, Billy" said Bronco,
holding I'D a bottle between Billy s
ewes and the sun. Don't that look gooo!
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 we, Billy, jest for you. THINK
how it'll feel runnin' down your throat,
an remember how it smells Loroy:
do feel almost like drinkin' the whole
L: Dirt
He reached out the bottle suddenly
and Billy's hands-both OF thenl-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. | don't want to-"
It'll do you good" infexibly. 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
Billy dropped upon his knees.
DON'T" he repeated, duly. Il 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 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 naturally. "You know
howt 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 a grateful look.
Its like this" he said, with a 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' | 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 a 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 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 a giggle from one of the
cowboys-''if't wasn't for the whisky
l believe l could be a 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 l was that way When
they find this out, it'll be over with us.
I'll run through myself soon's | caTl, an
an the girl an they'll feel sorry; but
you'll have your dance carnival. SO We
won't ali 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 Spite such good
stuff" he said. regretfully, "but it's got
to be di l." 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 we're 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. 'Taint you; it's present
for the bride. An l reckon we'd better
make it two of our best ponies They'll
be handy's anything up 'mong them
Mennonite farmers. Now, fellows! one,
two, three, an crash!" And with the
last word, half dozen or more bottles,
delivered from as many hands, crashed
against the stone.