The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-03-11
The PIANO MANS FLASK.
How Business OF the Wrong Sort Was
Thrust Upon Hin In Kansas


long ago no heard of . man who wanted
county. 1he town was of the II, of the
railroad. and no would have to drive ten
miles from the railroad town TO see his
prospective customer. The town on the
railroad is not q large place, but II is sx
ceedingly interesting. The piano man
had been thsrs once before and knew q
young man who lived in the town who.
however, did not know the nature OF his
business. lie had learned that the man
in tho other town was away and would
not be home for two days, 30 he deter-
mined to pass them in the railroad town.
He was looking out Of the hotel window
when he saw on the opposite side OF the
street the man he knew.
He rushed out and called To ihs native.
for he was getting tired Of himself. At
ter the usual greetings the piano man
said, with the peculiar ned and winks In
Kansas Cant Wa got drop OF beer
around here somewhere
Not a smell in town. answered the
native. "You can get some s.uff at the
drug store they call whisky, but it would
burn hole In boot. -
Never mind. I've little good stuff in
my grip. Come up to the hotel ana have
a drink, said the piano man.
IAN right" answered the native.
Hello. there's my dad over there. I'd
like to have you meet him."
Sure. said the piano mar, "brinR
him over. I'll be In the office. ,
The piano man bad brought along with
him pint of good whisky. for medical
purrcsss only, for coughs and tnat sort
Of thing. Inn few minutes his friend
entered followed by six native vhiskers
eager syls. and dropping mouths. The
piano man could see the iRnominious
finish OF his pint Of whisky In the crowd.
For some time no hesitated, hoping
they would grow tired and 90 away, but
they all sat around the stove and talked
politics until the piano man, seeing that
they would stay until the next morning
IL nothing happened, said, in as hospit-
able tone as the circum stances would
permit, Gentlemen, 1 have small
bottl, If fine whisyey here. Won't YOU
join ire in drink ?''Thc mon all locked
arolnu fearfuliy, with their fingers on
their lips, and ssid, "Hrss-shl" like
comic opera c. orus. Then tie oldest
man nross nrd tiptoed out Of the room,
tho others following. They llsd along q
hall and stopped in the dining room be-
fore water cooitr.
Tha piano man pro decd his pint Of
liqu,r ana Rravsiy handed IL To the old
N al, who took "snorSsr." Tie bottlo
was handed down the line. A door
eaked In the back part OF the rcom. The
piano man looK,d around, aud. framed
in square place in the door was the facs
of the lsndladv Of shs hotel.
"It's oil right, madam, said n piano
man, "l'm oniy showing . few samples. "
1he face disappeared. When the bottle
got back to the piano man there wasn't
enough liquor in it to mako lis eye smart
1he next day he met each one Of lis
guests of the bttils and each ral!ed him
TO one side and whispered conflaepiislly:
Jest send me up gallon o. that thers
liquor" at the same time trying to slip
some money into his hand 1t was in
vain that hs explained that be did to sell
whisky. A few minutes later, as he was
walking up the street. ha heard "a " HIST"
and man bsckoned to him from the door
of blacksmith shop.
II hear you sell mighty good s,ud.
Jeso send ne a gallon. Amt got sam
ple atOut We havs ye?'
"Sse here" the piano man shouted.
meany'
"Thas all right Tha'sall right !" SAID
the blacksmith II amt saying rothins.
just ship mo gallon by express" And
he winksd significantly.
Wherever tue piano man went he was
any quantity of whisky from q gallon
to kcg.
When he went to the livery stable to en-
gage team to take him to the other
town the livery man winked ana said:
Better wait until this afternoon. Abs
man you want is not 10 tais morning"
'' l don't want any special man. Any
old man will do, answered tho other.
"No; the man that knows oil the places
is out, explained the livery man. go,
rather than argue and explain, hs waited
until the afternoon.
Just before he left he stepped up to the
hotel desk to pay his bill.
Tho landiad wants to sec you before
you GO 4" said the clerk. And he went in