The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-09-03

| o~1nt ~t&E HtJfs nVu&A IL HH* 8AJa'&
daylight. the gas was fiaring- The man
was In drunken stupor.
The little old gentleman looked, and
Into his face crept an expression Of
pity and concern.
Time you came, john be whis-
pered- quite time. The boy needs
some one bad"
Quietly he slipped across the room.
and taking the half-emptied whisky
bottle from the table bid it behind the
desk. The man started. and from his
lips came a long -arayn sigh. Still and
silent stood John watching him, and
presently. seeing that the stupor still
held him fast. he skunk away and down
the stairs
In the kitchen he found the kettle,
and, filling 1t, placed II upon the gas
stove. While the water boiled he
cleared the table. and. throwing on bis
inverness. played fhe part OF house
maid His efforts showed the prae-
ticed hand. and when, finally. he de
sisted. the dust and dirt had vanished
In like manner he treated the dining
room. and then. after washing his
hands, proceeded 70 brew pot Of
strong Tea.
Foraging in the pantry, he discovered
sugar. and. taking the tray, again be
stole quietly ~ the stairs
The man. started as his hand fell on
his shoulder. and from his lips came
hoarse. inarticulate cry. John Shook
him gently. DazedIy he sat up and
glared at him through sunken. blood
shot eyes. His face. stubbled with the
growth Of many days. showed white
ana haggard. His black hair was un-
kempt. His neck was bare. his vest
unbuftoned. and the stain Of spilled
liquor dlscolored his linen. wildly be
giared. and as a gllmmer OF compre-
hension shot into his bemused brain be
stumbled 10 his feet with curse on
his lips The visitor pressed him back
into the chair. overcoming his feeble
struggling with gentle insistenoe. The
man held his hands 10 his throbbing
head and groaned again. Taking up
the teapot. John poured our cup;
into Il be dropped two Jumps Of sugar
and stirred IL
Il want you 10 drink this. boy he
said. softly. Throat parched. chs Ev-
erything greens know know
Drink H. Revive you"
The young man took the proffered
cup with trembling fingers and drank
the dranghf with nridity.
That's good. ehge chirped John. nod
ding his head u satisfaction -0h.
yes there's another And biscuits. too.
Try and nIbble one or two. Head pref
IL bads All, let old John have a try
10 ease IT,
Slipping into the bathroom be dipped
a towel into cold water. and after
wrineIng II. skipped hack and applied
It with tender soiicltude TO the aching
hrows This accomplished. very quietly
be began 10 tidy up the Uttered room.
The man lay back with closed eyes and
switching features. His body ached.
He felt as weak as q child. The throb-
bling in his head was anguish. John
sped nolselessly downstairs. TO reap
pear with material for making fire.
In a short time he had 1t blazing
Then having cleared out the litter. be
sat down and waited
The man opened his eyes,
Another drink. boy said John.
cheerily. And have a peck at the bis
cults. Feel better presently. That's
right You look completely used up
Lie back; don't trouble to talk. III
just pull up the blind and open the
window a bit. Fresh air take away
that beastly sick feeling. Beautiful
spring morning Ned. Hear the sky
lark The buds are showing on the
trees
The man clencied his hands. and into
his eyes crept again the dull. hopeless
look OF misery. John stole across the
room and placed his hand on his shoul- |
der coinmiseratingly.
-Ned.r he said, very softly; Il know.
my boy. They told me at the
Office yesterday They said you had |
not shown up for ten days, and ! |
thought I'd Just run along to see you.
not to lntrude. boy. You won't think
that. But just because wanted TO
help you. IL could. through the bad
time I'm glad came, wish had
known before Ned. boy. forgive me if
/ hurt. i knew Mary. knew some
thing OF your happiness together. and /
know how proudly she regarded you.
Do you not think. could she have seen
you these past days. she would have
grievcd at your weaknessg No, won't
preach, lad. understand. But. can
you not see that temporary forgetful-
ness obtained at such cost serves but
to aggravate the disease in the hours OF
awakening7 You cannot bury grief for
long that way. boy. Alteration comes
only with time and brave application
to duty. The other is the blind way
or the craven. Some time II must end.
and-what them
what them" cried the man. bitter
liz. "Ohlivion; eternal forgetfulneas