Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1910-01-20

IN FEW MOMENTS HE WAS IN THEIR
MIDST
to dodge and holding his revolver i'll
readiness to meet possible objection to
his payfuness. "Patterpat won't
dance. He's Joined the little party of
Mennnnites up country and gone plain.
Amt you heard? Billy amt frivolous
any more"
Were going to give him a drink
nrst," significantly. "There won't be
any trouble then. You used to know
Billy"
The figure at the counter straighten-
ed. "Why, of course, of coursew he
conceded. "a good drink will be oil
for Patterpat's feet. | did used to
know Billy. The only trouble with
him was that all his brains and fun
and everything was jest in his feet,
and with them gone plain there couldn't
be no Patterpat any more. Well oil
'em with Billy's special limberer."
AS they filed out a newcomer from
Texas looked discontentedly at O'Neil
Amy special inducement bout that
Patterpat's feet?" he inquired. I've
been pretty comfortable sitting on the
counter. We have dancing down to
Texas"
Better go back there" curtly, "or
stay sit on the counter if you like. As
to inducement. there amt only one
dancer, and that's Patterpat. I've been
to Frisco and to Kansas City and to
Chicago, and I've seen dancing-least-
ways, what they called dancing. But
I've never seen but one Patterpat.
Only he has to be limbcred up with
great jagS of whisky first. Then his
legs are all wheels and parabolas and
ricoshays and scintillates. Now you
stay right here and I'll santer out to
the middle of the street. That's him
coming yonder and beginning to dodge
already. That's the way he used to
do, and we had TO round him like we
would n Wild mustang and then FIJI
him up"
Billy Patterpat was block and
half away. coming on slowly and look
ing from side TO side for some avenue
Of escape. The gradual spreading of
the cowboys across the street brought
up memories OF past experiences, and
his eyes had begun to grow troubled
and full of apprehension. At length
he stopped and looked back. but 1t was
too late now. Several OF the cowboys
were near their mustangs. and as he
turned they swung into their saddles
and dashed up the street. In a few
moments he was in their midst. strug
Cling and protesting, his eyes big with
terror of what lie felt was coming
Don't YOU give it to me, gcntlcmen"
he pleaded. I'm plain now, and it
would not be right. | amt danced in
six months and amt tasted drop
Don't you make me now"
Look ut that, Billy" said O'Neil,
holding up n bottle between Billy's
eyes ana the sun. Don't that look
good? Just see how 1t smiles It's the
very best In town. ard we've got more
bottles waiting There's dozen
glasses for you, Billy; all you can
drink. Think how It'll feel running
down your throat and remember how
1t smells. I.ordy! feel like drinking
the whole thing myself But here,
Billyr
He reached out the bottle suddenly.
and Billy's hands. both Of them. went
hungrily toward 1t. His eyes were
SHINING, his lips trembling, his whole
form in culver, but even then, with
an almost superhuman effort, he forced
his arms back to his side
Don't, O'Neilr he implored. Don't.
don't, don't" His voice rose quaver-
ingly. you know how It's with me.
Please don't. / don't want it."
"It'll do You good" inflexibly. you're
getting thin from going without it so
long. and it's better to enjoy the stuff
trickling down your throat slow than
TO have it poured down In bottles full
Aou know what we say goes, Billy,
ana you must drink the whole thing"
Billy dropped upon his knees.