The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-04-14
A SPLENDID
EASTER STORY
THE RESURRECTION
OF RICHARD RICE
BY James II.

slowly closing in upon the great city.
From the office buildings and fac
tories streamed forth the workers.
The soft fall of the April rain. gave
evidence of spring, but the chill
which swept along with it told that
winter had as yet not departed. From
numerous windows the lights twink
led. and from equally numerous troll
ley cars the blatant. discordant gong
sounder. 1t was Saturday night,
and the crowd. merry and impatient
at the same time. was anxious to
get home. For tomorrow was Eas-
ter. Easter with her lilies and her
lights; with her fine clothes. her
flowers and her music. And the
work of the week was slowly fading
from the minds of many. in the
brighter recollection of the Easter
resurrection.
d
and rolled man. From one side
TO the other he reeled His un-
shaved face. his bleared eyes. his
unsteady gait, all gave evidence to
ard. For him there was no Easter
How could there be? His only mu-
sic was the wild delirium OF his
dreams. Flowers? The blear in his
eye made everything look red
Clothes? His scattered garments once
bore that name On he lurched
Now a young girl. hurryinS home
ward stepped to one side to avoid
him. \ little farther ON q street
samin stepped into the gutter and
made faces az him. To none Of them
gave he one moments heed
Square after square he covered
thus. First in the gutter. and then
against fences. Suddenly his blcar.
ed eve tok on the ghost OF AN ex-
preston Surely he could not b.
mistaken. 1t had always stood there
As a boy he remembered its frosted
doors, it's ornamental glass windows
AS young man, he recalled its
faint, sickly aroma enticing per-
suading. urging. All, there was
warmth, and cheer within. and this
April rain was very cold
On he lurched. past the swinging
doors. How good it felt! he STUN
bled forward and fell into. rather
than took. his seat For few mo-
ments he blinked in the fierce glare
of the lights
We'll, old top" smiled the publ
can. sort OF soused."
Go long with you" retored the
other" do you take me for pint
cup. See" and he stretched out HIS
hand toward the bar "see that there
stock of yours. why man I've drunk
that much ten times over in the las:
two years. Soused? I'm no gutter
snipe. Bring me a whiskey
straight" The bar keeper went
back TO his bar with a smile. Fl
had seen many one just that way.
This man. despite his uncut beard
his tatt"red clothes. his half tipsy
condition. had once been n gentle
man. Perhaps he had once been n
moderate drinker. he mused But
now He chuckled 10 himself. This
poor piece Of fIoatsam actually
thought that he could drink the At
iantic Ocean. and get away WITH IT
Somehow his heart warmed to the
man. Maybe there was wife at
home, and little children Maybe ne
would after all straighten up. But.
that was not his concern SO H.
mixed the whiskey, and sta RED to
the table
But tn" wind had blown in an
other person AS the publican ad-
vanced from his bar, this youug. slim
girl advanced from the door No Sal
vation lassie she. Hers was n face
which TO see was not easy 10 forget.
She came timidly forward and stood
by the publican as he placed the
| whisl5oy on the smafi table.
| May I speak TO him" she m
terrupted
| Yes. miss" he laughed. "but
cant be responsible for his answer. >
Then as If desiring to get her out o.
the place. ne remarked: Bette
leave him alone. He's pretty ba,
soused right now. and he may no
like It."