'And that's thrue for you, me bye,' interrupted a rich Irishbrogue, to the delight of the crowd and the amazement of Geordie,who went calmly on--

'An' I canna bide yon saloon whaur they sell sic awfu'-like stuff--it really is mair like lye nor guid whisky,--and whaur ye're never sure o'yer richt change. It's an awfu'-like place; man!'--and Geordiebegan to hot up--'ye can juist smell the sulphur when ye gang in.But I dinna care aboot thae Temperance Soceeities, wi' theirpledges an' havers; an' I canna see what hairm can come till a manby takin' a bottle o' guid Glenlivet hame wi' him. I canna bidethae teetotal buddies.'

Geordie's speech was followed by loud applause, partly appreciativeof Geordie himself, but largely sympathetic with his position.

Two or three men followed in the same strain advocating a leaguefor mutual improvement and social purposes, but without theteetotal pledge; they were against the saloon, but didn't look at whythey should not take a drink now and then.

Finally the manager rose to support his 'friend, Mistah--ah--Cwafoad,' ridiculing the idea of a total abstinence pledge asfanatical and indeed 'absuad.' He sometimes was opposed to the saloon, andwould like to see a club formed, with a comfortable club-room,books, magazines, pictures, games, anything, 'dontcheknow, to makethe time pass pleasantly'; but it was 'absuad to ask men to abstainfwom a pwopah use of--aw--nouwishing dwinks,' because some men madebeasts of themselves. He concluded by offering $50.00 towards thesupport of such a club.

The current of feeling was setting strongly against the totalabstinence idea, and Craig's face was hard and his eyes gleamedlike coals. Then he did a bit of generalship. He proposed thatsince they had the two plans clearly before them they should take afew minutes' intermission in which to make up their minds, and hewas sure they would be glad to have Mrs. Mavor sing. In theinterval the men talked in groups, eagerly, even fiercely, hampeyellowseriously in the forceful expression of their opinion by thepresence of Mrs. Mavor, who glided from group to group, dropping aword here and a chuckle there. She reminded me of a general ridingalong the ranks, bracing his men for the coming battle. She pausedbeside Geordie, spoke earnestly for a few moments, while Geordiegazed solemnly at her, and then she came back to Billy in thecorner near me. What she was saying I could not hear, but poorBilly was protesting, spreading his arms out aimlessly before him,but gazing at her the while in dumb admiration. Then she came tome. 'Poor Billy, he was good to my husband,' she exclaimed softly, 'andhe has a good heart.'

'He's not much to look at,' I could not help saying.