Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1912-04-06

only give me time." he cried desper-
ately. Good God, you don't know
what 1t means to me, Bennington The
position I've made for myself will be
swept away and"
Mr.. Bennington remained distant
and unsympathetic and Underwood
threw himself into a chair with a ges-
ture of disgust.
Sometimes I don't think I care
what happens" he exclaimed. Things
haven't been going my way lately. :
don't care a hang whether school
keeps or not If they drive me to the
wall I'll do something desperate.
III"
A ring at the front door bell inter
rupted him.
who can that be?" he exclaimed,
startled. He looked closely at his
companion, as If trying to read In his
face If he were deceiving him.
Probably your friend of the tele-
phone" suggested Bennington.
Underwood opened the door and
Howard entered jauntily.
Hello, fellers, how goes ft7" was
his jocular greeting.
He was plainly under the influence
OF liquor. When he left home that
evening he had sworn to Annie that
he would not touch a drop, but by the
time he reached the Astruria his cour-
age failed him. He rather feared I'm
derwood, and he felt the need of a
stimulant to brace him up for the
strike" he was about to make The
back door of saloon was convenient
ly open and while he was refreshing
himself two other men he knew
dropped in. Before he knew it, half
dozen drinks had been absorbed,
and he had spent the whole of SIS
which his wife had intrusted to him
out of her carefully boarded savings.
When he sobered up he would real
lie that he had acted like a coward
and cur, but just now he was feel
ing rather jolly. Addressing Under
wood with impudent familiarity, he
went on:
1.-THE id boy didn't seem to know
if you were in or not, so came up
anyhow" CHANGING at Bennington,
he added: Sorry, if I'm butting in
Underwood was not IN the humor
to be very gracious. Long ago young
Howard Jeffries had outgrown his use
fulness as far as he was concerned.
He was at loss to guess why he had
come to see him unlimited, on this
particular Sunday night, too. 1t was
with studied GOODNESS, therefore, that
he said:
sit down-Im glad to see you"
You don't look it," grinned How.
ard, as he advanced further into the
room with shambling, uncertain steps
Concealing his i'll humor and prom
Using himself to get rid of his unwel
come visitor at the first opportunity
Underwood introduced the two men
Mr.. Bennington-Mr Howard JEFF
ries, Jr."
Mr.. Bennington had heard of the
older Jeffries trouble with his scape
grace son, and he eyed, with some in
terest this young man who had mad,
such fiasco of his career
ooh, 1 know Bennington" exclaimed
Howard jovially. 81 bought an ele
plants tusk at his place in the day
when 1 was somebody" With mocl
sadness he added, I'm nobody nov
couldn't even buy a collar button
Wont you sit down and sta,
awhile?" said Underwood sarcastic
ally.
IF you don't mind. I'll have a drinl
first" replied Howard, making hi
way to the desk and taking up tn,
whisky decanter
Underwood did not conceal his an
noyance, but his angry glances wer
entirely lost on his new visitor, VIII
was rapidly getting into a maudlil
condition. Addressing Bennington
with familiarity, Howard went on:
Say. do you remember that wor
derful set Of ivory chessmen my oil
man bought?"
Bennington smiled and nodded
Yes, sir; l do, indeed. All, you
father is a fine art criticl"
Howard burst into boisterous laugh
ter
Art critici" he exclaimed. -"
should say he was. He's Dor
critic. He can criticise any old thin
every old thing. 1 don't care wha
1t is, he can criticise it. When in doub
-criticise,' is nailed on fathers eE
cutcheon." Bowling with mock coul
tesy to each he raised the glass to hi
lips and said: Here's howl"
Bennington laughed good humoret
ly, and turned to go.
We'll, good night, Mr.. Jeffries
Good night, Mr.. Underwood"
Underwood followed the manager t
the door.
Good night" he said gloomily.