The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1893-07-06
Larry Whalon's Saloon.


Larry Whalon was a railroad la
bofer, and lived along the line in
clapboard shanty with his wife, Kit
ty They were honest enough peo-
pie. Both had a fondness TO a glass
of whiskey, and an intense yearning
for some occupation that would en-
able them to live without hard work.
Larry Whalon and his wife be-
lieved, whether rightly or not | must
leave the reader to Judge, that there
was no calling that paid as we'll for
the time that it took and the money
invested, as buying whiskey by the
barrel and selling it by the glass.
cts foine, aizy loife thin bar
keepers does be havin'," said Mr..
Whalon one evening as he and his
wife sat before the red-hot stove in
their shanty, smoking in concert and
listening to the slcet beating tattoo
on the shingles overhead.
"Yis, Larry" responded Mrs.
Whalon, "and | do be thinkin' that
if we liver do start in the business it's
tonne we was at it. Sure, we've got
enough on hand now to begin. not in
a grand way to be sure-thatll come
later on-but quiet and sure loike."
An examination of their working
capital revealed the fact that they
had on had enough money to buy a
barrel of whiskey and box of cigars
and just ten cents over AS work
was slack with Larry, and there
were many of his companions out OF
employment, they decided that the
time of beginning was opportune.
Larry bought the whiskey and CT
CARS, and then extemporizcd bar by
laying a plank between the heads Of
two barrels. And now, with Kitty
behind the bar, the establishment was
ready for business.
AS the day was stormy and the
opening had not been extensively adj
vertised, customers were not forth
coming at one, SO Larry recalled that
he had working capital Of ten cents
in his pocket, SO by way of encour-
ing trade, and quenching his thirst,
he decided to get his money into cir
culation.
He and Kitty had ciphered out
that if every customer who bought a
ten cent glass of whiskey were to till
his glass, they would still have five
cents clear OH every glass.
By way Of doing everything up on
good form, Larry went outside, then
re-entered, wiping his lips with one
hand and grasping in the other his
working capital Of 10 cents.
"The top of the mornin' to you
Mrs. Whalon, and how's business in
the bar today?" asked Larry, as he
took an admiring glance at the cstab-
lishment.
at might be better and it might
beworse," was Mrs. Whalon's gaurd-
ed reply.
"Well, l don't mind helpin' an
honest business along Let me have
drink of your best whisky, and if
tin cints is the price of the same
there's your money" and Larry laid
the coin on the plank.
The liquor was drawn and drank,
and as Mrs. Whalon looked at the
money she said:
"Begorra, Larry, there's five cints
made clane on that little dale. Now
avick, do you stand behind the bar
and let me play I'm a customer. !"
Larry stepped behind the plank
and his wife went out and re-entered
and delivered herself Of the regula-
ton speech as to business and the
weather. She ended by laying down
the 10 cents and getting a glass OF
wbiskey.
"Hoopn shouted Larry as ne re-
gained possession Of the working cap
| ital. Five cints more made with
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