The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-03-15

1
do understand. it's whist. I'll show
'em do, by hockey"
you don't mean to say you're going
to risk more money!"
Certain sure. old fellow. Come
along"
"Then you may count me out" said
Blivins, firmly.
Come, Lias-come. Mr.. What's
Your Name-your friend, there? All
hands on deck! Tumble up; tumble
up!" roared Capt. Hardcastle.
HE won't come" said Elias
"Thunder!" roared Hardcastle.
Let him alone" said Capt. Bower,
glaring savagely at Blivins. Il can't
abide lubber that leads trumps after
my kicking his shins under the table.
I'd rather have an out-and-out dunn
my"
"All right, then" roared the captain.
"All hands on deck except the skulk-
err"
Blivins was left alone in the now de-
serted bar-room, watching the hands
of the clock drag themselves slowly
over the dial plate. At ten Elias came
down looking very much flurried.
my luck's sure to turn. old fellow.
Lend me ten dollars"
Mechanically Blivins drew out the
required sum. placed it in his friends
hand, and Elias darted upstairs again.
At eleven he reappeared with an
other requisition for the same amount.
Not cent" said Blivins, resolute.
ly.
Come, old friend" demonstrated
Elias.
Mary red," said Blivins. Now I've
ordered the horse and Sleigh"
"Is that your last word?'
Final"
81 never thought you'd go back on
me-a towny," said Elias.
Blivins made no rejoinder. His
face was set like marble monument
The sleigh bells were heard at the
door.
Elias skulked upstairs. He might
have continued to play with |. o. US,
but reason stepped in and saved him
from further folly.
He took leave of the Jolly dogs" up
stairs, who were now engaged in sing
ing 1--WE Won't Go Home Till Morn
ing" stepped into the sleigh, handed
"tip" to the hostler, took up the lines,
and drove for a couple of miles in ST.
lence.
Then he said. rather sheeDishly:
81 done it for the best, old feller-1
done it for the best"
His attention was next directed to
the actions Of the horse: that unfor-
tunate animal evidently preferred
walking to trotting, though he was
now heading homeward, and the ut
most the carver" could accomplish
was to rouse him into an intermittent
scuffle. When they were within one
mile of Boston statehouse, the horse
stumbled and fell. All efforts to rouse
him were in vain.
"By Jove!" cried Elias, after an ex-
animation of the PROSTATE creature;
"the critters as dead as doornail."
Dead" cried Blivins, jumping out
of the sleigh.
Hes lost his chance for the Derby
and Oaks" said Elias. Hes had his
last sleigh-ride, and, by Jerusalem!
reckon I've had mine. What's to be
done, now?"
Foot it to Hanover street." an
swered Blivins.
"And the horse? Leave him here
the most valuable animal in Nat Par
ker's stable? No. stree! That amt
to be thought Of. They'll want to
stuff him and set him up in mona
tomical museum. Help me to boost
him into the sleigh, and we twoll tote
him into town. Don't think I'm loony
or romantic" said the wretched youth,
grasping his friends arm. 81 simply
go In for justice-and-and-re-
morse!"
He covered his face with his hands
and wept.
Then the two friends went to work,
and by the aid Of some loose rails
managed to get the inanimate animal
into the sleigh. After that they seized
the shafts and tugged away at their
self-imposed task. The ascent Of Bea-
con Hill was trial, but they accom-
plished it. Down Park street they
went at a rum. it was easy shedding
along fremont street, down Hanover
street, and so on to the stable. The
one-eyed hostler received the remains.
Here's a rum go!" said he, gloom
lily, If not sadly. "Mr. Parker's been
dreadful Uneasy since he heard how
you druv that ere horse over the
Neck. He's got peck Of evidence
agin ye.'
81 done it for the best-I done it for
the best" muttered Elias, hoarsely
"Take keer of the remains-I'll make
it all right in the morning.
That dreadful night! that horrible
morning! For with the morning came
Nemesis in the shape Of Mr. Nathan
Parker. His bill read:
ELIAS Sharp. ESQ, to Nathan Par
ker, Dr.:
To hire of horse and sleigh. ...$ 500
To value of horse killed by
overdriving ................ 1b0.0O