The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-02-11

put Bob ElstOn on his feet.
( hope he keeps his good resolutions
which Ina, hum-have tried to in
STILL"
Old Britt indicated a figure going
down the street. 1t was Bob Elston
whom everybody in town knew for
ne'er-do-well, but pitied him and liked
aim.
AS to Daniel Britt, the knowing
ones smiled and shrugged their Shout
iers. It was true that he had given
young Elston a suit Of old clothes, but
It was also current knowledge that
Elston in some unaccountable sprint
Of sobriety had delved and labored
in. the Britt garden for a full ten days,
receiving half pay.
Britt made great capital of his
charity" all that day. The next, how
ever, his feathers dropped. More I'M
steady and ragged than ever, Bob
Elston appeared on the streets of the
village. He had sold his clothes and
was back in his old attire. He was
III q dNClul COlultAOhs
ibid my duty, it's off my mind
commented Britt, and poor Bob as an
acknowledged institution of the lower
type of the time proceeded to pro-
Ong his spree.
1t was about a week after that when
Donald Pearce, rising young lawyer
Of the town, coming down the turn
pike in his automobile, nearly ran
down lurching, Indifferent figure in
the middle of the road. His machine
Just grazed Elston and pushed him
aside.
Marrow escape that, Bob" observed
Pearce, in a warning, but friendly
tone. ''I should think you'd about cut
this carOusing business OUT
'Would," stammered Elston, "but
I'm afraid of the results" and he shud-
dered
Pearce eyed him speculatively. He
knew Elston as an irresponsible vii
!age feature, he felt sorry for him and
wondered mentally if it would do any
good to try and remodel him.
"See here, Elston," he said, you've
got too much material in you to throw
It to the winds this way. Why don't
you brace up?" and he tried lot Of
coaxing arguments on his subject, but
Elston was impervious to them all.
He was at that stage where the stimu-
lants lay dead in him, afraid of the
horrors" and he fell behind with u
disconsolate face.
"COme to me il 1 can ever help you
-straighten up, though, mind you,"
hailed Pearce IN parting, and waved
his hand in a friendly, encouraging
way, not noting that the movement dis
arranged something from his outside
coat pocket, which fell into the road
over the side of the machine
\ Elston, coming along, saw it, picked
1t up. 1t was pocketbook and it
was filled with bank notes. For mo-
ment the bleared eyes glowed with
cOvetousness. Then Elston thrust it
out Of sight inside his coat, mutter-
ing:
mo, I won't be a thief, if am a
wreck. Pearce spoke right to me. I'll
act the man." and half an hour later
he reached the Office of the young
lawyer and returned the pocketbook.
"Whew," whistled Pearce, for the
first moment aware of his loss.
There's twelve hundred dollars mort
gave money paid me byra farmer, I
say"
He was petrified at the simple hon
esty of this lost soul. He pulled Els
ton into his private Office.
"Old fellow" he said gratefully,
you've got to let me repay this big
act Of yours. The woman who keeps
my Office in order has neat little
home. I'm going to get you room
there. You'll have the best Of care.
Rest for a week and let me put you
on your feet"
mo use, I'm afraid" returned Els
ton. dejectedly. 81 can't bear to be
shut up. I'm afraid Of the effect, and
want to be where can get bracer
II begin to see things"
TOT d lung tiLue L cdICc pIcducu Will
the poor unfortunate. At length Els
ton said:
'IIl try it, on one condition"
"And what is that?"
"You trust me-"
II guess will, after your bringing
back that lost pocketbookw
Il want you to buy me certain
remedy. l want to keep it by my side.
On my honor, will not touch it I'M
less feel trouble coming on. 1t will
help me out to know I've got it, if
reach the limit of endurance"
''Done!" cried Pearce, "and know
you'll conquer"
Elston did. At the end of week,
once more clothed again in his right
mind, he took a walk with Pearce. AS
they reached quiet spot he took out
the bottle Its contents were intact.
He gave it fling against rock and
1t shivered into thousand pieces.
"Thats the end of this business for
Ape," he said. quietly but deter
knedly.