The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1894-11-07
cnAPTER .III I-coNr1NuEp

CHAPTEh llL-CONTINUEn
The bartender did as he was re-
quested.
"Can you disguise a little Of that
fluid in any way so that it may be
taken internally without man sus-
pecting what he is swallowing?"
The barkeeper smiled. "How would
cocktail fill the vacancy"
II can suggest nothing BETTER" re-
piled Yates. IF you are sure you know
how to make it."
The man did not resent this imputa-
tion of ignorance. He merely said,
with the dir of one who gives an incon-
trovertible answer:
II am Kentucky man myself"
Shake" cried Yatos briefly, as he
reached his hand across the bar. "How
is it you happen to be here?"
"Well, l got into little trouble in
Louisville, and here am where I can
at least look at Gods country"
'Hold on" protested Yates. You're
making only one cocktail"
Didn't you say oneP" asked the man,
pausing in the compounding.
"Bless you, never saw one cocktail
made in my life. You are with me on
this"
"Just as you say" replied the other,
as he prepared enough for two.
Now, I'll tell you my fix" said
Yates, confidentially. "I've got tent
and some camp things down below at
the custom-house shanty, and l want to
get them taken into the woods where I
can camp out with friend. want a
place where we can have absolute rest
and quiet Do you know the country
around here2 Perhaps you could rec
ommcnd spot"
"Well, for all the time I've been here
know precious little about the back
woods. ! suppose you want some place
by the lake or the river2"
mo, don't. want to get clear
back into the forest-if there Is for
est"
well, there's man In to-day from
somewhere near Ridgeway, I think.
He's got q hayrack with him, and that
would be just the thing to take your
tent and poles Wouldn't be very COM
Portable travelling for you, but it would
be all right for the tent, II it's big
one" .l.s
"That will suit us exactly. We don't
care cent about the comfort. Rough
ing it is what we came for Where
will / find him?"
''Oh, he'll be along here soon. That's
his team tied there on the side street.
II he happens to be in good humor he'll
take your things, and as like as not
give you place to camp in his woods.
Hiram Bartlett's his name. And, talk
ing of the old Nick himself, here he is.
say, Mr., Bartlett, this gentleman was
wondering If you couldn't tote out
some of his belongings. He's going out
your way"
Bartlett was a somewhat uncouth
and wiry specimen Of the Canadian
farmer, who evidently paid little at
tention to the subject of dress. He said
nothing, but looked in a lowering way
at Yates with something Of contempt
and suspicion In his glance.
Yates had one receipt for making the
acquaintance of all mankind. "Come
in, Mr.. Bartlett" he said, cheerily,
''and try one Of my friends excellent
cocktails"
81 take mine straight" growled Bart.
lett, gruf1y, although he stepped In
side the open door. II don't want nc
Yankee mixtures in mine. Plain whis
ky's good enough for any man, If he Is
man. don't take no water, neither
I've got trouble enough"
The bartender winked at Yates as he
showed the decanter over to the new
conner.
Fright you are," assented Yates
cordially.
The farmer did not thaw out In the
least because Of this prompt agreement
with him, but slipped his whisky gloom
ily, as II IL were most disagreeabls
medicine.
"What did you want me to take outH'
he said, at last.
IA friend and tent, q jug Of whisky
aud lot Of jolly good tobacco eeU
"How much are you willing to pay9'
"oh, don't know. I'm always will
ing to do what's right. How would Av'
dollars strike your"
The farmer scowled and shook hil
head.
"Too much," he said, as Yates wa
about to offer moro. "'Tsin't worti
It. Two and half would be about thu
right figure. Don'no but that's toC
much. III think on 1t going homo ant
charge you what It's worth. I'll b
ready TO leave In about an hour, II tina
suits you. That's my team on the othel
side Of the road. II It's gone when yo'
come back I'm gone, an you'll have Il
get somebody else"
With this BARTLETT drew his coat
sleeve across his mouth and departed
That's him exactly" said the bar
keeper. Hes the most cantanherou
crank In the township. And say, 10
", me give you pointer. II the subjec
'sN Of 1912 comes up-the war, you know
you'd better admit that we got thrashs'