The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-06-12


determinations, revilings. discharge or
even worse when his fault was discov-
cred. Could 1t be possible that they
did not know 1t yet? To be sure he
had been extremely careful in tapping
it, but, nevertheless, 1t plainly showed.
Surely they must have seen it. And
yet nothing was said.
However If concealment was the
word he was very strong for conceal
ment He would play his part. At
2:45 he made ready to trudge out Of
the station and up the hill with his
heavy load to the college. Barker
swore that he heard him sigh regret
fully as he caressingly lifted the heavy
keg and departed.
DR.. Boden met him at the entrance.
Good" he exclaimed. Il was afraid
you wouldn't be here In time for my
lecture. and I needed this for demon
stration."
He led the way to the lecture room.
where were awaiting them perhaps a
dozen students with notebooks In hand.
'Sit down for a few minutes" said
the doctor to Hank. you'll be inter-
ested In this"
He closed the door, and Hank sank
into a chair behind the students, won
dering rather uncomfortably what
would happen when DR.. Boden found
his keg a third emptied. as he judged
1t must be by this time. But he was
In for it now he knew. SO he gritted
his teeth firmly together and watched
while the doctor began skillfully to
pry open the head Of the keg.
II have here" began the doctor In
the usual formal tones of his lecture
II have here. gentlemen" he continued
as he removed the top and, putting on
a pair Of rubber gloves. began to grope
about in the interior. "a specimen
which have only been able to pro-
cure with great difficulty In this Sc
cluded place and In ways into which
I hope you will not inquire too deeply,
a specimen which I know will greatly
interest you" And with that he drew
forth from the dripping alcohol and
held before their eyes-the awful head
Of negro!
Like the Gorgon's head In the hands
Of conQuering Perseus. this horrible
thing confronted them with q distort-
ed. frozen grin upon its features. But
to the medical students 1t was as moth
ing. They gazed upon 1t with absorb
ed interest shining In their fascinated
eyes
Nov, gentlemen" pursued the doc
tor. with a twinkle behind his specta-
cles as he watched the whitening, h0r-
ror stricken features Of Hank Jones,
I'VE Will
But he never finished that sentence.
There was q stihed sound as of NOR
tai choking in agony and dull thud
as Hank Jones dropped 70 the door In
a dead faint
A few moments suf3ced to revive
him.
1T IL really too bad of me. Mr..
JONES'" said DR.. Boden. Il should
have realized how 1t might affect one
on seeing such thing for the first
time. We physicians grow hardened.
and, Of course. we don't think of 1t at
all. Only noticed that you had a
great interest in kegs-this one espe-
cially-and / thought You ought to
know what it contained after taking
such good care Of It,"
It was a cruel revenge for such lit
tie thing as tapping keg Of alcohol.
Hank looked feebly into the Doctors
grimly smiling face. but replied never
q word
Half an hour later Barker opened q
note which waslhrought to him by one
Of the Joneses' neighbours boys:
Dear Mr. Barker-I don't suppose Hank
will be able to work any more this after
noon. He had q severe nervous shock
he was nearly run over by q livery team
on his way from the college and Is very
much upset. ! think he will be all right
by morning. MRS. HANK JONES.
Barker read II over again before he
sent It by the waiting boy to the col
lege for DR.. Boden. During the after
noon he burst frequently into unex-
pected fits Of laughter over the routine
work Of the depot and occasioned much
wonder among the waiting passengers.
who were apparently so constituted
mentally as to require q visible cause
In the case OF sudden hilarity.
OF course the story got out. Stories
always do. But Hank was really re-
formed. As he told his former tempter.
Lem Higginson. che just couldn't ever
take drink again"
why. II was only to think about
takin' drink" he said as he refused
the sociable and well meaning offers Of
that bfbuIOus worthy. II actually be-
iieve I'd die. 700 can't have any idea
how awful it waA.
Naturally Lem didn't think Il, could
Be 30 bad a to spoil . mans thirst for
ever. He didn't think anything could.
but then 4 hadn't happened to Lem.
Nevertheless you see was rigAt-it
does take IN nnn6ualiy hard shook -
ssess1 : eenarne1 tsDss.