The Democratic advocate., 1909-06-25

jor announced that ne had to 60 to the
city on business matter. There was
another reason, but he kept it to him
self. He wanted to meet that masher
and make jam Of him. He felt that he
could identity him among hundreds.
and once he was identified
On arriving In the city the man of
war called on broker and pocketed
some bonds he had invested In and
then made calls at three different clubs
to see old friends and drink cocktails
to "auId lang syne." When ready to
start for the depot and home he was
in the condition known as mellow. He
thought everybody a good fellow. and
he thought every good fellow an old
veteran. and thus when particularly
keen looking good fellow asked him
into barroom on his way to drink TO
Old Glory there was no hesitation.
The major win remember to his dy-
ing day that he took brandy. He was
drinking the last OF It when he felt
sleepy and the voice Of the good fei-
low sounded far OIL. When he came
to his senses again be was in bed at a
hotel and a medical looking man was
saying to a young man who didn't look
medical at all:
Hell do now, but there was a time
when 1t was doubtful. He must have
got an awful dose"
Knockout drops, OF courseT
'oh. Of course. Lucky for him be
has a strong heart. He'll be nearly
all right in the morning. but II you
can spare the time you'd better see
him home. Hen be trembly for two
or three days"
The major heard that mach and won
dered and slept He awoke again at
midnight and sat up in bed TO see a
young man beside him. He got dose
of medicine. and then be suddenly ex-
claimed:
'Here-whats all this7 Where am
I II"
"Don't excite yourself. major .'
soothed the other. 'You are at the
Revere hotel and very, much better
than you were three hours ago Sleep
and quIetncss are what you need now
In the morning you shall learn all"
"But my bonds--my bondsw shouted
the pa.ient
Right there before you on the stand
with your watch and pin--not n thing
missing"
At daylight when the man Of Mars
swung his legs out of bed. the young
man sat by the window smoking and
smiling He advanced and presented
his card and observed that he had the
honor OF already knowing the majors
/ name.
Now, then, what's this all Hbout7
And where's my wife and daughterT'
was demanded sharply as the patient
reached his feet 20 find himself 80
weak that be had TO fall back on the
! bed.
Il beg pardon. major. but as you
( were on your way 60 the depot ycstpr.
day afternoon you met an old soldier
and drank with him. He was a con.
fidence man. entered the place Jus,
as the knockout drops had put you
1 into his hands. You lost nothing, and
brought you here and called n doc.
/ tor. You re pretty near all right
now. but shall see you homo after
we have had something 10 eat Don't
object. please. You are weak and diz
zy yet"
| The idea that he had been a ninny
grueied the major, but he was too
weak 10 shout. He wanted 20 think,
but his brain was too sluggish. lie
was. therefore, like baby in tho
hands OF the other for awhile. Strong
coffee and bite 10 eat and the ride
TO the depot braced him up, and az
the train started he suddenly exclaim
| cd
Good Lord. but what could they
have thought Of my not coming home
last nightY"
"oh. telephoned them from the ho
tel" was the answer
'But-bui See here. young man.
how did you know where 10 telephone
10? By Jimmy, sir. are you the mash
er that met my wife and daughter iu
the depotT"
"Well. major" said the other. ''to
tell you the truth, am. But I'm nc
masher. and | was trying 10 get O
chance to speak to you and introduce
myself properly when ] saw you &c.
costed by that confidence man"
"And you've been OF assistance q
mel Why. sir. you've mashed the
whole darned family Come along
with me-come along. strand meet
my daughter Kate! Lord bless the
masherF