Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-03
POOLING THE MAJOR.
OLD MAJOR BELLwEATHER AND HIS
CUNNING NEPHEW.
The Young Man Made Horse Trade"
But Did Not Get His Two Thou
sand Dollars.
from the Louisville Courier Journal

from the Louisville Courier Journal
Old Major Bellweather is one of the
best-known characters living in the neigh
borhood OF Orchard Grass, KY. He owns
an immense farm and is man of SO great
an Importance that all his foibles are not
only excused, but are smiled at by the
people Of the community.
One morning while the Major was sit
ting on his porch young man riding a
magnificent horse drew rein at the gate
The Majors eyes frightened, not at the
sight of the young man, but at the sight of
the horse The young man dismounted
and as he turned toward the house the
Major advanced to meet him.
"Good mornin', sub Good mornin' p
the Major exclaimed, with hearty cordi-
atty. "Walk right up and have seat.n
"Thank you" the young man answered,
stepping up on the porch. Is this Major
Bellweather ~
Yes, sub"
You do not know me, presume" said
the young man when he sat down.
Well, never having seen you before
can't say that do"
The young man smiled. 81 am John
Grapnell, your youngest sisters only son."
You don't say SC" the Major ex-
claimed, seizing the visitor and almost
shaking him out of the chair.
Yes, do say SO, uncle, and have rid
den all the way from North Carolina to
see you. | arrived in the village yester-
day evening, and would have called last
night, but not knowing anything of your
habits | was afraid that | might disturb
you"
The truth is that the young man had
remained in the village for the purpose of
learning all he could with regard to his
uncle.
You might have come right on here"
said the old man, "for you ought to have
known that l should be delighted to see
YOU
/" am glad to hear that uncle. for, in a
measure, have conferred my hopes on you.
The fact is have decided to go into bust
ness, but haven't the money. | had two
hundred and fifty dollars, but bought the
horse you see out there, believing that the
money We invest in horsefesh is never
thrown away"
You are right, my son. If had in
vested more money in horsefesh and less
in whisky when | was of your age, should
be good deal better off now"
Spent a great deal of money for whis-
ky, eh ?"
Oh, it was not so much the money |
spent, my son. as it was the money | gave
away while l was under the influence of
liquor. Why, it was nothing for me to
give away a thousand dollars
The young mans eyes frightened. "Yeu
don't drink now do you, uncle?"
My son, twenty-seven years ago to-
day, | rolled barrel of liquor into nv
cellar, and then said to myself: Major
says l. it is time to call halt That's
what said twenty-seven years ago to-day"
"a good resolution, uncle; but as | have
perfect control over myself you would not
object to my taking little Of that twenty
seven year old stuff, would your"
Not at all, my son not in the least
Here Sam calling a negro boy, go down
in the cellar and bring glass of that
liquor from the corner barrel-and say,
Sam, bring me glass of that ginger ale'
The boy executed the commission. The
young mans eyes shone with peculiar
CLEAN.
Now, my son. said the Major, you
will find that the best stuff you ever
smacked your lips over"
have no doubt of it, uncle. By the
way, who is that coming down the road ~
The Major turned to look, and the young
man, with quick motion, drank half the
ginger ale from the Majors glass and filed
the glass with whisky.
:" i don't see anybody" said the Major.
Tt1, I Al.
.ew rejoined "Well, here's to you, uncle.n
Drink hearty said the old man, lift
Ing his glass. Ah-hah drinking that
Is Tue juice for the gods, young fellow, and
i ava sorry that can't Join you, but fate
is ,ainst me; but, by the way, this is the
best ginger ale | ever drank. l have had
it for some time, but didn't know that it |
improved SO with age. Here, Sam, bring
us some more. Bring whisky for the young
man.
uncle as | told you just now, must
have some money. want about two thou
sand dollars
Time enough for that, young man.
That ginger ale fits me closer than knit
shirt. Here We are"
The young man directed the Majors at
tention to the magnificent horse standing
at the gate, and repeated the trick of mix
ing whisky with the old man's ginger ale.
All, hah" said the Major, putting down
the glass, that rolls me over on the play |
ground Of my youth. Let's repeat it. Sam, |
where are you y
Now about that money, uncle"
That's all right, my son. AS we are
so close kin, and as we have never met |
before, why We must make up for lost time. |
Ha, hap he laughed, that's not bad |
idea. Here We are again, as the old clown |
says. Excuse me just minute, please. / |
want to get chaw of tobacco. This GIN |
ger ale brings to my old age the fond vices |
of Years ago
The young man poured whisky into the |
old mans glass.
The old fellow soon returned with a |
mouthful OF natural leaf.n
Now, uncle, let Us get down to busi- |
ness. I've got to have two thousand doll |
ars, and the worst of il is ] haven't any Sc
curity to put up. ! have always liked you, |
uncle. My mother has often told me Of |
you, and l have never grown tired of hear |
ing her
That's all right, my dear boy; that's |
all right, | assure You. Let us have some
more stuff"
The young man was tickled; the old man
was showing signs OF intoxication.
They had some more, and again the Young
man was skillfnl. When they had drunk,
and when the boy Sam, grinning and duck
ing his head, had withdrawn, the nephew
began TO talk Of the two thousand dollars
He put his arms around the old man and
said: Uncle, ! can not help but say it,
i love you
The old man was moved deeply. He
ook the nephew's hand and pressed it.
They drank again, and again theold man
was deceived.
g Now, my dear nephew said he, g let
me show You my HOSES. Get your nag
and bring him around TO the stable. Go