The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1905-03-16

more bottles In waiting. There's ten
whole glasses for you, Billy-just fol-
you. Think how it'll feel running
down your throat and remember how
it smells! Lordy, l. 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 quiver, but even then, with
an almost superhuman effort, he forced
his arms back to his sides.
'.Don't. O'Neil!' he implored. Don't
don't, don'tr his voice rising quaver,
ingly. "You know how it's with me-
Please don't. don't want it."
eth do you good" infexibly you
are getting thin from going without it
so long, and it's better to enjoy the
stuff trickling down your throat slow
than to have it poured down in bot
ties full. You know what we say
goes, Billy, and you must drink the
whole thing"
Billy dropped upon his knees.
Don't" he repeated duly. Il don't
want to. If l smell can't stop then.
You and mes been good friends,
ONeil, and I've danced and and
drunk a lot for you. Let me off this
time. And-and, if you don't mind.
I'd like to say why"
"Oh, let the poor devil make his con-
fession, O'Neil." interposed one Of the
cowboys good naturedly. You know
how tits 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 grateful look.
Its like this" he said, with a pa
thetic eagerness in his voice. '.Six
months ago l happened to be up in
the country, and saved girls life
She was caught by bear, and-and
suppose l acted some brave. Anyhow,
she and her folks thought so and took
me in. Since then I've been up there,
and l amt tasted drop, and I've been
feelin' that mebbe could make some
thing Of myself some time like l used
to think IA long while ago." There
went on in lower tones: "NIe 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
becoming steady and aggressive at a
rr4~n nf hn
'twan't for the whisky believe could
be good man again-a better one than
you could ever be, Danny. But, Of
course"-his voice again dropping and
his hand reaching mechanically toward
the bottle-"this will finish it all. Up
there they don't have anything strong
to drink. and-and they never suspect
ed was that way. When they find
this out it'll be over with us. Til run
through myself soon's 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 bot.
| tie, O'Neil."
But O'Seil was holding the bottle
up between his own eyes and the sun.
"Seems pity to spill such good stuff, .
he said reeretfully, "but it's got to be. y
Then in louder voice: "Here, you fel-
lers, see that stone over t'other side
the street? Well, every one who's got
| bottle shy at that, and the one who
breaks into the most pieces will &c
| 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.
"No. no." he protested; II don't want
no present, gentlemen. I've been work
ing hard up there and have got some
ahead. I'm all right longs can keer
away from that stuff"
''Shut up, Billyw O'Neil retorted un
graciously. "'Tain't you; it's present
for the bride. And reckon we'd bet
ter make it two Of our best ponies
They'll be handy's anything up among
| them Mennonite farmers Now, fel
lers, one, two, three. and crash!' AND
with the last word a half dozen o.
more bottles delivered from as many
unerring hands crashed against tht
/ stone.