New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-15
FIFTH PART.

After a short residence at the Institute shan
non was back at his desk free from the craving
for alcohol and we'll fitted 10 resume the task
of editorial work on his old paper, from which
he had been discharged for habitual intoxica-
ton
Webb was still with the same paper, but he
was no longer considered a flrst-class man.
Alcohol had robbed his brain Of its brllliancy
and he was drinking more than ever.
To the Oppenheimer treatment Shannon was
indebted for a speedy and complete regenera-
ton Within twenty-four hours after the first
treatment that abnormal craving for liquor
which made him social outcast had been per
manentlv and absolutely killed.
Shannon, approaching all that the Open
heimer Institute had done for him. had become
It's enthusiastic herald.
why don't you try this treatment, Caleb?"
he kept asking Webb, whom he pitied. for
Webbs wife had recently died. "Consump,
tion." said the doctors Heartbreak said
Webbs conscience.
why don't you take treatment. Caleb?"
Never replied Webb-he was nervous and
irritable after all night debauch-"your
only wasting your breath talking TO me about
cures for liquor don't believe in them. VIII
power is the only thing that counts. The day
] make up my mind To quit drink. III never
touch the stuff again"
But Webb forgot that alcohol had under
mined his will power, roo.
Late one night the Office received word that
a murder had been committed in saloon on
the upper west side OF the town. There were
10 details.
webb" said the city editor to Caleb, who
had Just come in from the street and about
to take off his hat and overcoat there has
been a murder in n saloon uptown. Here's the
address Get there and back as quickly as you
can. and be TO have good story about it."
Webb stared hard at the city editor, and made
no move 10 go. His face flushed. There
WEE wild look in his eyes. Evidently he had
wei. what's the natter" said the city
editor, inpatiently. There's no time to he lost
Pull yourself together and get uptown"
mo need TO go uptown" said Webb; I've got
the story already"
Have you the details?"
Yes, all the details. 7 there at the time
and saw the man killed
Good" said the city editor. How much is it
It's worth column If It's worth line" re-
piled Webb, quietly.
Then sit right down and grind it out fast
you can"
Webb pulled off his overcoat. flung It over the
back of chair and plunged into work
Page after page he wrote rapidly without
pausing for a word and illuminating the nara
tive with the oldtime flashes of genius.
He pictured the scene in the saloon Immediate
" before and after the murder-lghtS and shad-
ows drinks and death.
He told how man, whose personal appear
ne described in detail, entered the place
and, after drinking alone for half an hour, had
invited stranger, who standing the bar
ito Join" him. The stranger accepted the invi-
tation, and they talked and drank until both
had reached that combative stage of inebriety
known lighting drunk"
Then they began to quarrel over some trivial
matter which in their sober senses neither would
have considered worth discussing.
Then came oaths and vile epithets, and of
the men. picking up chair swung il in the air
and brought il down with crash the head
Of the other, killing him instantly.
In nervous. jerky sentences Webb went on TO
describe the dead man lying on his back in
front of the bar his face smeared with blood
his features hidenusly distorted ana his CLASSY
eyes staring al the gathered crowd
Webb stopped writing and brushed the per-
spiration off his forehead with the back of his
hand Then he stood up and put on his hat and
his overcoat.
Then he sat down again at his desk and wrote
these three sentences which ended his story:
Suddenly sobered by the sight of the CHASTITY
corpse at his feet the murderer realized what he
had done and fed.
THE man who did the killing was Caleb
Webb a newspaper reporter. Drink made him a
murderer
Office
On the street. he met Shannon and grasped
him by the hand