The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-16

didn't like 1t. It tasted bitter to him. Edward gagged a little, but Ed was de- termined to conquer, and so he chewed the stuff vigorously and swallowed the spittle. It seemed to him that his mouth was turned into an artesian well, it filled so fast. Now and then he tried to ex- pectorate, like he had seen the men do on the depot platform, but the fluid came into his mouth so rapidly that he made a sorry failure out of 1t, and the juice tricl1led from between his lips. To add to his discomfort. he began to feel internally uneasy.
 "I feel sick" said Edward.
 Course. All boys do on the start. But you've got to tough 1t out: that is the only way to learn"
 T don't want to learn," faltered Ed ward
 ''But do," returned Ed, with empha- sis, as he chewed on. The tobacco tasted very disagreeable to him and his inter- nal agitation had taken the form of an indescribable nausea, while he felt weak and all a-tremble.
 Do you want to sit down. Edward2" he asked.
 q believe I do," returned Edward.
 All right" he returned, I'll let you" Then Ed and Edward sat on some moss at the roots of large oak and leaned against the tree.
 Let me spit it out" pleaded Edward. T don't care" said Ed.
 So the terrible quid was elected, yet the boy-or boys, if you like 1t that come over everything and things were beginning to swing around in a way that reminded him Cor them) of which they were Cor he was) riding on the train and had watched the trees anDaranflV dancing about each other on the out side. The idea was a misty one and didn't interest the boy Cor boys). only it just occurred to them Cor him). ghost" observed Ed. He couldn't see, but he felt it must be so:
 going to die" returned the other self.
 Nonsense. Tobacco doesn't kill any, one. Didn't Uncle Dock say 1t made him sick the first time he tried it? And
 "Yes, but it's different with us. l don't ever, believe l will see mamma
 Edward. brace up. Does the ground seem to be tipping up with your
 "Oh, l cant hardly stand it. II seems like 1t is going to spill me off on one
 Ed had noticed that the earth ap- peared to be lurching violently to and fro. It occurred to him that 1t was like
 
 pirate stories. and he thought he would see If he could walk the deck Edward remonstrated. but Ed wouldn't hear. He got up and tried it. He staggered like he was drunk, and then fell in bunch on the grass under the tree.
 "Oh. I'm so sick" faltered he. Ed ward, believe am going to dle."
 Yes, I feel that way too," returned the good member of the firm
 Aren't you afraid Edward?"
 No. l believe 1t would be relief to
 The boy or boys lay very still and white for few moments. Then Ed be- gan.
 "Edward?"
 Well"
 ''I expect did wrong to force you to chew tobacco.'
 'tYes, I think you did"
 ''Will you forgive me Edward?"
 '1 suppose I'll have to-"
 But if I never do it again?'
 ''Yes. Ed, let's go home:
 T couldn't walk. Oh, l believe 1 an, am going to die this time sure; What ,,,sad Wa, mamma say when she knows kiiieo you chewing tobaccoY Edward who was brave and Ed Wn9 was i towering. You will generally find the reckless wrongdoer afraid when the real trial comes, while the quiet person who has endeavored to do right will be able to meet the emergency when II comes.
 ..J2race llp. Ed said Edward. If we must die we must bear it the best we can Bllt I do wish you would De more careful and not make me do such bad things as you do.
 ing to throw that nasty tobacco so far away that I'll never see 1t again.
 He managed to sit up and make a strong effort to hurl the offending morsel far away, but he was so weak it was cast not more than 10 feet off. Then he sank weak and listless on the ground. For several minutes the boy (for now that Ed and Edward both were of one mind fin the matter they seemed to be one person again. just as it should be If things in this world were not made so strangely lay prone and white, oc- casionally grooming. but otherwise show ing no evidence of life. They were Cor he was) in this condition when. MT. cause. and after examining the uncon,- scious body concluded the child would recover in time. So he took off his coat and placed it under the boys head, ana sat by him until he saw signs that the boy was about to recover Then ne hunted up the tobacco which he sus- pected Ed would have thrown away. put it in his pocket and walked away.
 In the course of half an hour Edward came to himself and sat up. lie was bewildered but he noted with surprise the coat under his head. In the course of a few minutes he was able 10 arise and walk.
 T am so sorry for what have made you suffer-" said Ed contritely. He had reason to be for had he not entered into the suffering himself? He continued: .I'll never make you do anything like that again as long as l live. honest won't" ,,,,,. rat,rnsa Fd.