The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1890-08-08
a VERY eREAr SCHEME.
zhnrs's Money In rt n ron Provl5s Against
Possible Inconvenience.


Possible Inconvenieners.
II was in Chicago some weeks ago, \
said well known man about town
land had some business with a friend
away ON the outskirts of the city. Eve
miles or so from my hotel. During
the transaction of the business we had
occasion to enter a small cafe near by.
While we were there fine looking
man, gray whiskered and bearing a
strong resemblance To the late Roscoe
Conkling, came briskly into the place
and called for the best rye whisky. II
was set before him. He poured out
gentleman's drink. He had the glass
half way 10 his lips, and as he was rails
ing II nearer he slipped his other hand
into his trousers pocket A queer ex.
preston came suddenly into his face.
He put the glass down.
beg pardon I he said to the bar
tender; j don't want the drink
with that he hurried out.
Crazy 7 said the bartender, .orelse
he didn't have the price
~ returned to my hotel soon after.
ward. An hour or so later / was pass
ing out TO take the train ON INV way
east, when l met the gray whiskered
man who had so suddenly changed his
mind about taking the drink al the
cafe. He came into the hotel. looking
jaded- If I'd had time I'd have salts.
fled my curiosity about the man there
and then. But didn't and hurried on
to catch my train.
The other day / dropped into the
Bohemia on Broadway, and you may
imagine my surprise when saw the
handsome gray whiskered hero of the
incident at the out-of-way cafe in Chi
cago sitting at table with a jolly
group. of which he seemed 10 be the
life. / was introduced TO him. He
proved 10 be cne OF the most iovial Of
all the genuine old time actors.
couldn't help telling him at once under
what peculiar circumstances / had
seen him in Chicago, and asked him if
he remembered il.
i should say sor he replied; and
II was all because of my not having
& quarter instead of ninety cents
Seems funny, doesn't iti But, all the
same, I'd have had that drink If I'd
had quarter in my pocket, but with
the ninety cents couldn't get IL. II
was this way. Some weeks ago | had
q sudden inspiration, and said TO nv
wife that from then ON I'd never
spend another ten cent piece, but that
every one l got I'd keep for the chill
dren TO put in their savings banks.
Ny wife thought that would be toll
erably correct measure, and ID was
adopted at once 1t had been in force
but few days when you saw me in
Chicago l was playing an engage
ment there at the time The day of
the little cafe incident had gone out
70 that jumping off place on business.
Just before starting | found | had no
money in my pocket, and | got a
silver dollar from my wife. The
street car conductor gave me nine /
ten cent pieces and a nickel in
change when paid my fare. ran
about for two or three hours out there. /
and when | got through | was tired 1
rom head TO foot and if ever / I
yearned for large and juicy ball il I
was Just then | spied the little saloon
md struck bee line for IL. tossing INV /
nickel to blind beggar as | went 1
That drink you heard me order was 4
yoing TO taste better than ANYTHING I'd 4
lad for many moons. AS | was daily +
ng with il in joyful expectancy felt 4
or the money to pay for it. You
nay have noticed the shade of sorrow.
u disappointment, Of hopelessness that
wept over my face al that moment.
: was born of the suddenness with
which the awfulness of the, situation
truck me when my fingers came in
contact with the nine ten cent pieces.
instead of four or i've fat solid nickels.
had but paltrv ninety cents. and
I'd have checked on the drink If /
lad used a single ninth nart of
he sum to pay for it That was why
returned the cup to the bartender
nd refused TO look upon il when il
vas red, and went sorrowfully but
hastily out. rushed for street car
I was not until the conductor came !.
round for his fare that came to nv
elf again. Again the fatal nine ten
ent pieces arose before me, and sun
ose the conductor also thought was
razy or broke the way | got off that
ar. | tramped the five miles back
ome, and suppose was Just drag.
ing myself into the hotel as YOU were
DING out But it's a great scheme j
onciuded the actor "A fellow can
ave lot of money by holding on TO
is ten cent pieces; but he wants TO /
ave a couple of dollars with him TO
pend while doing il, if he doesn't want
olgo dry and walk. New York Sun /
A Fish Hospital Z