midnight
It appeared that after the making of the League the Black Rock Hotel man had bet Idaho one hundred to fifty that Nixon could not be got to drink before Easter . All Idaho 's schemes had failed , and now he had only three days in which to win his money , and the ball was his last chance . Here again he was balked , for Nixon , resisting all entreaties , barred his shack door and went to bed before nightfall , according to his invariable custom on pay-days . At midnight some of Idaho 's men came battering at the door for admission , which Nixon reluctantly granted . For half an hour they used every art of persuasion to induce him to go down to the ball , the glorious success of which was glowingly depicted ; but Nixon remained immovable , and they took their departure , baffled and cursing . In two hours they returned drunk enough to be dangerous , kicked at the door in vain , finally gained entrance through the window , hauled Nixon out of bed , and , holding a glass of whisky to his lips , bade him drink . But he knocked the glass sway , spilling the liquor over himself and the bed .