Once in three or four months he would get a little intoxicated, but as a general thing he was a wary and cautious drinker although always ready to tamper a little with the enemy.

He had the advantage of me in one thing; he could get the monthly public school report and I could not, because the principal hated the Enterprise.
One snowy night when the report was due, I started out sadly wondering how I was going to get it.

Presently, a few steps up the almost deserted street I stumbled on Boggs and asked him where he was going.
"After the school report." "I'll go along with you." "No, sir.

I'll excuse you." "Just as you say." A saloon-keeper's boy passed by with a steaming pitcher of hot punch, and Boggs snuffed the fragrance gratefully.

He gazed fondly after the boy and saw him start up the Enterprise stairs.