The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1919-05-14
CHAPTER X
TEMPTATIONS

There were many ways in which
Merlin was tempted ways in which
boys who occupy more obscure posi-
lions never experience temptation.
Being the chief and only reporter of
the little daily, he was forced to
"cover" the town every day, going
dRike into The homes of the best
citizens and into the dives and dPs
the strone-holds of vice. The sa-
loon was oae, the ohief Of tfgss
places. EVERY day he was forced
to visit it on enc erraKd or another.
Sometimes to get names of those
arrested by the town police; often
to write up fight and not infre-
quently to report and inquest. Each
time he was more disguised by the
loathsomeness of the place, which
was a rendezvous of the drunkards
and ,toughs. And almost every
time he was offered liquor by some
Of the loafers, sometimes abused
for refusing it. AS the miners who
gathered there all seemed to be
friendly, and as he did not wish in
any way to incur their displeasure,
it was often very hard for him to
refuse to drink with them.
1t was especially so one evening
when Pedro tried to persuade him
to have glass of whiskey. Pedro
every since Merlin took up lodging
at the boarding house and became
his bedfellow, had seemed to have
special liking for him. Merlin
had noticed this and was glad of It.
Remembering what his host had
said. he was pleased to find friend
in the young Mexican on whom lie |
could depend nc matter what The |
issue. He was at loss to know .
how to refuse when on his accept -.
ance depended Q friendship he so
much coveted.
He had come into the saloon in !,
order to obtain particulars of a
new find that had occurred on a
claim west of town. The room was j
crowded with miners, most of them
intoxicated and all of them talking
loudly. Pedro, who was strum-
ming on his guitar, greeted Merlin
warmly when he entered. Hello!
There Senior Mitchell, heem my
good freend!" he said as Merlin
walked into the midst of the group
md began to ask questions about
he strike.
Come here; come over and have
| leedle drink! All on me, l do
he pays" Pedro continued, mo- ,
ioning him to the bar.
mo, thanks, Pedro, 1 don't
rink" Merlin said as softly as 6
'ossible.
only one leedle drink-all on me,
ou no pay" insisted Pedro.
mo, Pedro, l never drink any
hing. l just came in here for
ONE news. I've made it a rule
ever to touch any kind of strong +,
Kinks"
The miners were all listening
ow and it was plain they were not
LEASED by his remarks. "Uh.
grunted one, hes a damn prohibi ,
onist!" .
Yep" agreed another, "a soft
issy!"
And concluded third, "by
cd, If he is too good to drink with u
5, he's too good to hear us talk!
ow, young man." turning to Mer-
n, If you want to know about
lat claim ut to the west, you 90
1T and look over it all you damn
lease. But don't come pryin'
FOUND us to find out-were misera G
e old drunkards and might cuss =,
your presence!" a
The young reporter did not ans =
err but his silence seemed to in I
nse the miners even more against $
m. They were talking and curg-
& loudly now and it was all =
'ainst him. They shook their h
It's in his face, yelled and raved as G
unken brutes will, and threaten
to smash his face If he even 50
UGH as batted an eye. Finally a p,
II muscular villain, who could re-
rain himself no longer, struck
erlin full in the face, Knocking 7
IN back against the bar; then the in
hers rushed upon him like a pack 20
wolves rushing upon the fallen re
their number. In vain he strug- ga
I'd and battled to escape; in vain
called for help and plead with on
EN- to release him. In spite of te
entreaties they continued 10 Nv
TX him and rain blows upon him, ba
q so many engaged animals. ca
AID