I want to do somethin' for Uncle Sam.I--I'd like to try and enlist for the duration of the war--swear off for that long, anyhow.Then, maybe, I'd be able to keep on for life, you know--duration of Labe Keeler, eh? Yes, yes, yes.But I could begin for just the war, couldn't I? Maybe, 'twould fool me into thinkin'
that was easier."
"Of course, Labe.It's a good idea."
"Maybe; and maybe it's a fool one.But I'm goin' to try it.I AMtryin' it, have been all day."
He paused, drew a shaking hand across his forehead and then asked, "Al, will you help me? I asked you up here hopin' you would.Will you, Al, eh? Will you?"Albert could not understand how he could possibly help another man keep the pledge, but his promise was eagerly given.
1
"Thanks...thank you, Al....And now will you do something for me--a favor?""Gladly.What is it?"
Laban did not answer at once.He appeared to be on the point of doing so, but to be struggling either to find words or to overcome a tremendous reluctance.When he did speak the words came in a burst.
"Go down stairs," he cried."Down those stairs you came up.At the foot of 'em, in a kind of cupboard place, under 'em, there's--there probably is a jug, a full jug.It was due to come by express to-day and I cal'late it did, cal'late Jim Young fetched it down this afternoon.I--I could have looked for myself and seen if 'twas there," he added, after a momentary hesitation, "but--but Ididn't dare to.I was afraid I'd--I'd--""All right, Labe.I understand.What do you want me to do with it if it is there?""I want you--I want you to--to--" The little bookkeeper seemed to be fighting another internal battle between inclination and resolution.The latter won, for he finished with, "I want you to take it out back of the buildin' and--and empty it.That's what Iwant you to do, empty it, Al, every drop....And, for the Almighty's sake, go quick," he ordered, desperately, "or I'll tell you not to before you start.Go!"Albert went.He fumbled in the cupboard under the stairs, found the jug--a large one and heavy--and hastened out into the night with it in his hands.Behind the shoe store, amid a heap of old packing boxes and other rubbish, he emptied it.The process was rather lengthy and decidedly fragrant.As a finish he smashed the jug with a stone.Then he climbed the stairs again.
Laban was waiting for him, drops of perspiration upon his forehead.
"Was--was it there?" he demanded.
Albert nodded.
"Yes, yes.'Twas there, eh? And did you--did you--?""Yes, I did, jug and all."
"Thank you, Al...thank you...I--I've been trying to muster up spunk enough to do it myself, but--but I swan I couldn't.Ididn't dast to go nigh it...I'm a fine specimen, ain't I, now?" he added, with a twisted smile."Some coward, eh? Yes, yes.
Some coward."
Albert, realizing a little of the fight the man was making, was affected by it."You're a brick, Labe," he declared, heartily.
"And as for being a coward-- Well, if I am half as brave when my turn comes I shall be satisfied."Laban shook his head."I don't know how scared I'd be of a German bombshell," he said, "but I'm everlastin' sure I wouldn't run from it for fear of runnin' towards it, and that's how I felt about that jug....Yes, yes, yes.I did so...I'm much obliged to you, Al.I shan't forget it--no, no.I cal'late you can trot along home now, if you want to.I'm pretty safe--for to-night, anyhow.Guess likely the new recruit won't desert afore morning."But Albert, watching him intently, refused to go.
"I'm going to stay for a while, Labe," he said."I'm not a bit sleepy, really.Let's have a smoke and talk together.That is, of course, unless you want to go to bed."Mr.Keeler smiled his twisted smile."I ain't crazy to," he said.
"The way I feel now I'd get to sleep about week after next.But Ihadn't ought to keep you up, Al."
"Rubbish! I'm not sleepy, I tell you.Sit down.Have a cigar.
Now what shall we talk about? How would books do? What have you been reading lately, Labe?"They smoked and talked books until nearly two.Then Laban insisted upon his guest departing."I'm all right, Al" he declared, earnestly."I am honest--yes, yes, I am.I'll go to sleep like a lamb, yes indeed.""You'll be at the office in the morning, won't you, Labe?"The little bookkeeper nodded."I'll be there," he said."Got to answer roll call the first mornin' after enlistment.Yes, yes.
I'll be there, Al."
He was there, but he did not look as if his indulgence in the lamb-like sleep had been excessive.He was so pale and haggard that his assistant was alarmed.
"You're not sick, are you, Labe?" he asked, anxiously.Laban shook his head.
"No," he said."No, I ain't sick.Been doin' picket duty up and down the room since half past three, that's all.Um-hm, that's all.Say, Al, if General what's-his-name--er--von Hindenburg--is any harder scrapper than old Field Marshal Barleycorn he's a pretty tough one.Say, Al, you didn't say anything about--about my--er--enlistin' to Cap'n Lote, did you? I meant to ask you not to.""I didn't, Labe.I thought you might want it kept a secret.""Um-hm.Better keep it in the ranks until we know how this first--er--skirmish is comin' out.Yes, yes.Better keep it that way.
Um-hm."
All day he stuck manfully at his task and that evening, immediately after supper, Albert went to the room over the shoe store, found him there and insisted upon his coming over to call upon Rachel.
He had not intended doing so.
"You see, Al," he explained, "I'm--I'm kind of--er--shaky and Rachel will be worried, I'm afraid.She knows me pretty well and she'll cal'late I'm just gettin' ready to--to bust loose again."Albert interrupted."No, she won't, Laban," he said."We'll show her that you're not.""You won't say anything to her about my--er--enlistin', Al? Don't.
No, no.I've promised her too many times--and broke the promises.
If anything should come of this fight of mine I'd rather she'd find it out for herself.Better to surprise her than to disapp'int her.
Yes, yes, lots better."
Albert promised not to tell Rachel and so Laban made his call.
