Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1909-03-11


1t was a bright autumn morning.
The fall term OF st. Rudolph's School
had begun on Wednesday; now it was
Saturday, and the boys had a long
holiday before them. Out on the
playground Tom Hadden-a new boy
who had only arrived the night be-
standing By himself. and
looking about with the curious but
sober eyes of a boy who felt as If he
were in a new world, and who was
as yet extremely doubtful as to his
chances for happiness in that world.
Hello, Tom Hadden; is that your"
some one called suddenly.
Toms gloomy face frightened, and
he turned eagerly toward a group Of
boys near him, who we're talking and
laughing in the n so express
sive at once of good c~omradeship and
much self-importance, that always
marks the old boys at the beginning
OF a .e" rciool year. Tom knew
several Of those boys; he had met
them turing the summer vacations,
and their greetings now were so
hearty that in a few minutes he quite
forgot that he was that forlorn crea-
ture, a strange boy IN a large school;
aud he gladly accepted al invitation
to Join his new friends in a tramp
over the hills to a village some miles
from st. REdolph's. In high spirits
they set out; the hills were crossed
and carly in the afternoon they
reached the village. ssl
"Now for Crugers," shouted sever
al of the boys. and they led the way
to 4 saloon and boisterously pushed
| open the door.
Tom held back. He did not like
the appearance Of the place
What are VIC going in here for?'
he asked.
For Il spread, of course one OF
the boys explained. They cook great
dinners hero; come on"
Tom was quite ready for a
Spread" and willingly followed the
boys into a little back room where
the saloon proprietor assured them
they would be undisturbed. Thei1
dinner OF oysters and beefsteak was
soon served, and thoroughly enjoyed
by the hungry boys; then a desser.
of fruit, cake, and pie was ordered
and when the last crumb of the las
cake had disappeared and the waite.
had removed the dishes from tn,
table, Frank Jones, their acknowl
edged leader, said gayly: "Now, fel
lows, before We go. we'll have a .ov
ing cup"
"A loving cup; what's that:" Ton
asked of the boy nearest him.
You needn't be afraid of it. j
won't hurt you; it's only beer" tn
boy answered.
"Reer?, I don't want any," an
Tom pushed back his chair.
"Sit still; you can't go yet" Fran
Jones said, and at that moment tn
waiter returned with the black bee
bottles.
Amid shouts OF laughter the cork
were drawn. and then one of tn
boys started the song:
And here's a hand, my trusty friend
And gie's a hand of thine,
And we'll take a right guild will,
wought-
mo, no." Tom Hadden shoute,
this is wrong. I will rot drin]
Let me 60"
The boys stopped singing. "s
you are a kill-sport, are you?" OF
of them said scornfully. Z
mo. no." Tom cried, "but I can
drink. Let me CO.
The beer was foaming in the
glasses, but the boys left it untoucht
while they stared at Tom.
You are a fool. Tom" one
said. What harm can {. glass
beer do you?"
Come, Tom." coaxed anotne
don't make a row about nothin
be a man and drink your beer"
II WON'T" Tom said sharply. "I
a me CO."
. w aren't quite ready tc let, y
go YET" Frank Jones said angri
u You are a pretty fellow to kill spe
In this way; and now il you do
y drink o shall give US a temperau
y lecture. If it is wrong to drink be
you shall tell us why. Come. DO
pay attention. You will now list
j. to an address on temperance from t
eloquent orator, Thomas Hadden.'
r. Hear! Heart shouted the DO
y. and then one OF them called: "Sta
; him up on the table,"