AND THE WILDERNESS BLOSSOMED 



consumption of strong liquor, but in spite of it ; 

 for Cal, to tell the truth, was usually drunk, — not 

 stupidly drunk, but brilliantly so ; never fighting 

 drunk, but invariably good-natured. Sober, he 

 was quiet and retiring; half-seas-over, he was 

 genial and sociable ; while drunk, he was a genius. 



In the latter condition he compiled his weekly 

 half-column of local items for the county paper, 

 and much of it was as amusing as any of the work 

 of newspaper wits with a national reputation. 

 Many years ago Cal walked unsteadily up the 

 village street, and seating himself upon the steps 

 of the little hotel, gazed about him upon the 

 people waiting for the stage. A quiet lad in an 

 armchair caught his eye, and then, gathering 

 himself together for a moment, he broke out 

 with, " Willie, you 're a good-hearted boy, but 

 you can't whistle worth a d — n." Having set- 

 tled Willie, he turned upon the assembled sports- 

 men, and after examining them carefully for a 

 moment, remarked philosophically, " Well, after 

 all, folks is very much like other people." Then 

 he discovered me, and said pleasantly, " I believe 

 this is the first time I ever saw Mr. Dexter." 



" Is that so, Cal ? " I asked. " It 's not the first 

 time I 've seen you." 



44 



