"I have never done so,--and never intend doing so. It is sufficient for me to decline drinking, because I do not believe that stimulating beverages are good for the body or mind. I act from principle in this matter, and, therefore, want no external restraints." "Then you are determined not to drink with me?" "O, yes, I will drink with you." "Cold-water?" "Of course." "One julep, and a glass of Adam's-ale," said Loring, turning to the bar-keeper. They were soon presented, glasses touched, heads bobbed, and the contents of the two tumblers poured down their respective gullets. "It makes a chill go over me to see you drinking that stuff," Loring said, with an expression of disgust on his face. "Every one to his taste, you know," was Haley's half-indifferent response. "You'll be over to-night, I suppose?" said a young man, stepping up to him, as the two emerged from the "Coffee"-house--precious little coffee was ever seen there. "O, yes,--of course." "You'd better not come." "Why?" "Clara's got a bottle of champaign that she says she's going to make you taste this very night." A slight shade flitted quickly over the face of Haley, as the young man said this. But it was as quickly gone, and he replied with a smile, "Tell Clara it's no use. I'm an incorrigible cold-water man." "She'll be too much for you." "I'm not afraid." "You'd be, if you were as well acquainted with her as I am. I never knew that girl to set her head about anything in my life that she didn't accomplish it. And she says that she will make you drink a glass of wine with her, in spite of all your opposition." "She'll find herself foiled once in her life," was the laughing reply; "and so you may as well tell her that all her efforts will be in vain, and thus save further trouble." "No, I won't, though. I'll tell her to go on, while I stand off and look at the fun. I'll bet on her, into the bargain, for I know she'll beat." "So will I, two to one!" broke in Loring-- "Don't be so certain of that." "We'll see," was the laughing response, and then the young men separated.