The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-04-14
By Hem !: Sydnor Harrl4oc<'


which he described the primest stun In
The house. From this he poured Hackley a
remarkably stiff potion. slightly wetting the !;
bottom of his own glass the while. The bot
tie he left standing ready on the bar.
Here's how, friend Jim"
Whatever 3Ir. Hackcys foibles, he was a
man ut his cups. His platform was the
straight article uncontaminated by ice or
nabby sparkling water; and chasers and the
like Of those he left to schoolboys.
Amt took q drink for days." he said,
holding up his glass to the electric light ana
souIntlng through it. Cut It out religious.
7 have. Been settin' around the house. an
settin', under physicians orders, tryin fer
to get my health back SOS I could 90 to
moldin' agin. But Lordamussy. what's the
Use Of torkln! I amt no more fifteen Ter
work than g. moo born baby. Well, here's
luck, Ryan,"
He set his glass down and involutartly
smacked his lips. The fiery liquid perco-
lated through him down to his very toes.
He felt better at once. more ambitious, less
<-4N
taneously, he lost something OF that indo-
lent good nature which was the badge Of
all his sober hours.
RYAN regarded him with friendly anxiety.
You gotter be more careful with yourself.
honest! Here-strengthen your holt 1T
tie One little swallow amt no help to
man as beat out as you are"
AS yer like. Dennis" said Mr.. Hackley.
Istlessly. What 1 RELY need is good
long rest. like In u 'orspittte."
Kindly Mr.. Ryan filled the small glass
almost TO the brin: and Hackley, though
he had nodestly stipulated for "on'y drap"
tossed it all of thrstily at single practiced
toss.
"ThatIl fax you up nice. But amt l
glad" said his host with sly chuckle,
that nobody sees you taking these drinks
on the quiet, which we know you need bad
FOR your health"
Mr.. Hackley set down his glass again,
this time with something Of bang. "How's
that% he demanded suspIciously
Ryan laughed deprecatngly. While do
ing SO, he manipulated the tall dark bottle
again.
.'Shuh" said lie. It's only the boys
fun, of course. Don't you mind them. JIM
What re you drivln' att" asked Hackley,
bristlng a bit. Ii you got anything worth
sayin to me, spit It out plain, I say"
Well" laughed Ryan. "a II some OF the
ho,,, ,ro. IN eee vou in here D,ittinp aWay
q harmless drink or so. O. course they'd say
that you was gettin" up your Dutch courage
He heT'
Dutch courage" cried Mr.. Haclsley, in.
dlgnanty. An wot the hell fer?"
Ssh! Not so loud, Jim. Why. it's only
their little joke, O. course They'd say you
was gettin up your nerve to meet them
two friends of yours from New York! Hey?
lie. he"
"Not friends?" asked Hackley again.
hotly. "
Ryan observed the mounting color on tho
others cheek and brow, and his eye, which
was like small. glossy shoe button,
CLEANED.
why. that un that killed that dog O
yours. and put YOU to sleep before tho
crowd. and that 'un that sent Mamie Or.
rick TO Gawd knows where. But shucles.
Drop it. jim 1 wouldn't have allooded to
it. on'y 1 thought you'd see the fun OF the
thing"
Il takes 4 philosopher to perceive humoI
in taunts at his own personal courage and
Mr. Ilackley, with three drinks OF the Otto
mans choicest beneath his tattered waist
coat was not that kind Of man at ALL
He leaned forward against the bar with
bcl!iGerence suggesting that he wished
TO push it over, pinning his pleasant spoken
host to The wall and pounded the top Of 1t
till the glasses tingled.
Fiji her up with the same" he ordered
loudly, looking suddenly, and for the first
time. very much like the rough looking Gus.
toner who had tackled Peter Maginnis in
defense of his dog An I'll have you
know Mister Ryan-I'll have you know, my
line. bis, bouncin' buck, that Jim Hackley
Amt afearcd Of anything that walks"
Ryan filled her up again. though this time
more conservatively. He was keen man
and an excellent judge OF what was enough.
"Shuh! Don't know that, Jim! Why.
after that big bloke licked the stuffin' out
CT you the other night, the boys said: Well.
that's the last o that little difflcultyl Jim
lIackey II meyer foLer that up none they
says And what'd say?"
We'll, whard you say?"
Il says, Hell! l says. You boys don't
know Jim Hackley. >"
I'll interdoocc myself to EN-! -" said Hack
ley savagely And whoever says that
Maginnis licked me S liar. You hear me?
Tripped my toe on rock, did, and banged
all the sense outen my head"
Il understand. JIM" interrupted Ryan
suavely Just what told the boys. o.
course, just between you an me- have
been kinder took by surprise that you've
waited 80 long TO get your evens. Why
this morning when the piece came out In
the Gazette. tellln' the whole town that the