Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-03-27
N TWO PARTs-PART TWO
Copyright: 1887: By
LOUIS GOLDNG

1t went on and on. For the con.
viction suddenly seized the youngel
man that this was exactly what hi
friend needed. He needed to have 8
good old Souse, q soak. He needed X
/ get it out Of his system or into his
system, according to the way you look
at 1t. He poured the liquor into him
by the gallon. He would make him
swell out with liquor till he was as
big sideways as longways Then he
would have enough to last him for
quite long while. He would be a
very proper schoolmaSter for weeks
and weeks to come.
He did not take more than q pint
himself throughout the whole eve
ming; That was partly because he did
not Ike beer. but more because it was
clear he would have to drive home,
| and he was not much of driver even
without any drink inside him.
At last he concluded that Stokes had
had enough. For Stokes was glori-
ously, radiantly drunk. He could not
remember when he had seen Stokes
IN such marvellous form before. Spen-
der settled up, then they went out to
the car. Stokes, as usual. put himself
down before the steering wheel.
mot on your sweet lifei" said Spen-
der. I'm driving homel"
I'm perfectly capable, assure you'll"
said Stokes. 1t was a queer thing. The
liquor had not affected his speech at
all.
Don't you worryl" insisted Spender.
I'm driving home!"
Very well, then" courteously agreed
Stokes, IF it'l make you happyl" He
shuffled along to the passengers seat,
then burst into song. He hadn't a
bad tenor voice and he did fair JUS
tice to a number Of airs from Faust
and Rigoletto. They drove along like
that for some distance. Once Spender
nearly oblterated a cyclist. A mile or
so later he nearly tore the wing off
against mile stone.
Here let mel" requested Stokes.
No: thanks! think can manager"
said Spender
It was only when spender actually
knocked an old shepherd down that |
he yielded at length to Stokes en-
treaties. The shepherd was not killed. |
BY some miracle he was not even hurt. |
But the miShap had destroyed what |
was left Of Spender's nerve.
Al right! he said between his |
teeth. you can take the WHEEL" /
Stokes took over for him. They set
OH. Spender screwed up his eyes, ex-
pectlng the crash in anything between
thirty and fifty seconds.
But nothing happened. nothing at
ALL though Stokes was so drunk that
ne was not quite sure whether he was
stokes or not. He drove magnificently.
Ills 1ntoX1cation seemed to lift him
20 plane Of power and lucidity where
ne was normally a complete foreigner.
Lhey got back to school in great Style.
The effect OF the drink had worn off
enough by the time they got UP to
ne school gates, for Stokes to realize
o r., -k
Q have sighed to rest me-" He put
lis car away and retired to his own
louSe.
Thank you. Bill" he said, You're
pail" He went up to his bedroom
nth complete decorun, a model hus-
and and model schoolmaster. His
ye was bright and his step was easy.
US wife, too, looked as happy as a bird !
o spray. Bill Spender rubbed the ;
e winked at his reflection in the I
lirror. There you are, Bill" he said I
himself What did I tell you?" 2
On Tuesday morning Stokes came
have a word with him. Listen, Bill" 7
2 said a little awkwardly. He didn't 7
lite look him in the face. do YOU =
INK you can make Wednesday your =
could switch round to Tuesday If Z
~ like. You see He stopped. 9
"Of course, quite" agreed Spender. f
t would be so nice to go out into b
Re country once week and get right h
way from things. All schoolmasters "
ould make habit of it. Right you h
e, Walterl" r
So the two friends made a habit of n
1t worked magnificently for sew h
al years. Stokes feet behaved in the g
ost exemplary fashion throughout the
lole Of the week. They saved them W
ives up for Wednesday night. Then lie
ey had a run for their money. They h.
n for miles and miles. W
HI