Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-10-29
HE FELL FROM GRACE.

II 81 " y
date citizen had, 1t is true, erred. on
election night, that is to say, he fell
from the aqua vehicle with quite a
thud.
Consequently, when he started down
town to his office on the following
morning. he was filled with misglvlngs.
There was an incident or so OF the
previous evening that he did not clearly
recall. He was certain, however, that
| this incident or so would be recalled
for him; for man that is born of wom-
an dearly loves TO relate unto his errlng
friend the dreary tale of the latters
imbecilities OF the night before. This
man reflected gloomily, as ms car
pushed down town, of the narrowing
things which he was to hear Of himself.
He was prepared for the worst.
"Oho! here he isl" exclaimed his hrst
friend when the man who had erred
aiigated from his car. Poor ola IN
jun! Narrow shave you had, all right.
II I hadn't come up just In the nick
OF time you'd ha' been trying TO zen
Judge Kimball all about 1t In the ponce
court this b%eauteous, russell morning.
How's your top-piece?'
"In what manner was l violating the
law?" inquired the citizen who had
erred, ignoring the question.
Huh! The nerve of him! Better
ask me what you weren't doing TO vlo-
late the law! Trying to lick all the
hackmen in town, pulling cops play1uliy
by the ears, standing In front of cleo
trio cars, and daring 'em to run over
you-well, IL hadn't drifted along
you'd ha' been in a little six-by-six this
morning, waiting for the Nubian
Marie! What did your wife have TO
say?"
"Oh, that's coming later dismally
replied the citizen who had erred; and
\ he hrpln q NO " from friend MOL ana
went to procure some spirits OF m
monia, clam juice, and things.
well, we'll, well-you're alive. heyg'.
was friend No. Us greeting as he came
up before the citizen who had erred
and pounded him heavily on the back:
Feeling punk, Ell. On, you'll be all
right by next Thursday week. / thought
sure you'd get into a rough house with
that big marine, though"
What big marines" inquired the cit
lien who had erred, huskily.
why, don't o remember that huge
Mulligan of a marine whose cap o
! playfully tipped of into the GUTTER
said friend No. 2, Took all OF the
~soft-soaping of the bunch of us to keep
him off you, especially as you declared
that 1t was your particular graft to
bite the arms off of marines. the bigger
and Irisher the better. Don't you re-
member that?"
NO" replied the citizen who had
erred, huskily, diving into a drug shop
to get something to ease his nerves.
why, old pal, you really look as If
you'd been to bed" was the greeting of
friend No. 3, examining the citizen who
had erred with a critical eye. Last
thing / saw Of you last night 0 were
standing at the corner (of 'teenth street
and the avenue, reciting Gray's Elegy'
to the sky, and swearing between
verses tina you never intended to go
home any more in this or any other
life. Changed your mind, hey? Well,
Did chap, that was a great imitation of
John Mccullough in The Gladiator
that you gave the bunch. Could hear
you believing 1t two blocks away"
The citizen who had erred pressed
his hand to his feyered brow and
moved on.
Hal Here comes the newly re-
Vealed singer!" exclaimed friend No.
4, bearing dow upon the citizen who
had erred. Say, why the deuce didn't
you ever tell us that you were such a
much as a singist?"
WAS L singing?'' weakly inquired
The man who had fallen from the
|~sprinkling cart.
well, / should say yes" was the
Joyous reply. Don't remember stand
Ing on the corner of 'umpty street last
night and entertaining a large and en-
thuisiaStic crowd, composed chiefly of
small boys and drivers OF night liners,
with Down Where the WurZburger
Flows EN-? Why, say, chum, it was
great. We moved you along, Billy and
I, or you'd have been pinched, sure.
Better cut that sort o. thing out, old
chap. You're too much of an Ogalalla
when o get that way. You've been
up the pole now for a couple of years,
anyway, haven't you? Well, you'd
better climb up again and lash your
self to the mast. Nothing in the mock
ing bowl, pal, and you ought to know 1t
by this time"
"Oh, / know it," responded the Sad
souled citizen who had erred. hopping
the perspiration from his t~hrobbing
brow.
why. good morning, old man. said
friend No. g., coming up behind the
citizen who nae erred and placing his
hand on his shoulder. Il hope you
don't feel seedy? You ear at least
have the consolation of feeling that you
know how to behave yourself like a
white man in a gang of Indians, such
as we We're last night, and that's more
than any of the rest of us can say"
The fists of the citizen who had erred
relaxed.
Were you with me all the evening? %
he asked friend No. 6.
Took o home In my cab" replied
friend No. 6. Met you about 10
O'Clock. and didn't leave you from then
on"
The citizen who had erred took friend
No. 6 by the lapel of his coat and led
him confidentially into a hallway.
Say, look here, old chap" he said
TO the man who had given him he one
word of encouragement he had got
since his appearance down town. for
which the gratitude welled up in his
soul. You know that note of yours
that I hold? vas thinking about
that note the other day I'll let you
have a six months extension on 1t IL