Washington sentinel., 1898-07-30
The Piano Mans FLASK.
Kansas Cfky Times.

a Kansas City man who sells nianos
takes frequent trips into Kansas NJ
long ago he heard Of man who wanted
piano out in little town in Marion
county. The town was off the line oF
railroad, and he would have 10 drive
ten miles from the railroad town to see
MS prospective customer. The tovn on
the railroad IS not large place but il is
exceedingly interesting. The piano
man had Ceen there once before and
knew young man who lived in the
town. who' however, did not know the
nature OF his business. He had learned
lnat the man he wanted in the other
town was away and would not be home
ior TWO days, so he determined to pass
them in the railroad town.
lie was looking out of the hotel win.
dow when he saw on the opposite side
OF the street the man he knew He
rushed out and called to the native. for
ne was getting tired Of himself. After
the usual greetings the piano man said.
with the peculiar mods and winks in
Kansas:
Can't we get a drop of beer around
here somewhere"
Not smell in town." answered the
native. "You can get some stuff at the
orug store they call whisky, but it would
burn hole in boot"
Meyer mind. I've little good stuff
IN my grip. Come up to the hotel and
nave drink said the piano man.
"All right" answered the native.
Hello, there's my dad over there. I'd
like to have you meet him"
sure" said the piano man. "Bring
him over. I'll be IN the Office"
The piano man had brought along
with him pint Of good whisky. for
medical purposes only, for coughs and
tnat sort OF thing. In few minutes his
friend entered, followed by six native
whiskers, eager eyes and drooDinR
NOUNS The piano man could see the
ignomlnious finish Of his pint of whisky
in the crowd.
For some time he hesitated, hoping
tney would grow tired and go away,
but they sat around the stove and
talked politics until the piano man.
seeing that they would stay until next
morning if nothing happened, said, in
as hospltable tone as circumstances
would permit. "Gentlemen, I have a
small bottle OF fine whisky here. Won't
you Join me IN drinl1S The men all
looked around fearfully, with their fin
gers on their lips, and said: "Hus-s-shp'
like comic opera chorus. Then the
Oldest man arose and tlptoed out of the
room, the others following. They filed
along a hall and stspped in the dining
room before a water cooler.
The piano man produced his pint of
liquor, and gravely handed it 10 the old
man. who took a 'snorter." The
bottle was handed down the line. A
door creaked in the back part OF the
room The piano man looked around.
and framed in square place in the door
was the face OF the landlady of the hotel
IT'S all right, maIam, " SAID the piano
man. I'm only showing a few sam.
PIES" The face disappeared. When
the bottle got back to the piano man
there wasn't enough liquor in it to make
his eyes smart.
The next day he met each one of his
guests OF the bottle and each called him
to one side and whispered confdentlally; I;
lest send me up a gallon o thatthere
liquor" at the same time trying to slip
some money into his hand. 1t was in
vain that he explained that he did not
sell whiskey A few minutes later, as
he vas walking up the street, he heard
a "Histl" and a man beckoned to him
from the door of a blacksmith shop.
Il hear you sell mighty good stuff.
lest send me gallon. Amt got a sam
pie about ye, have ye2'
"See here" the piano man shouted
"I'm no whiskey peddler. What do you
mean2"
"Tha'sall right Tha' sail rightl'' said
the blacksmith. ~ ain't saying nothing.
Just ship me gallon by express And
he winked significantly.
wherever the piano man went he was
taken to one side and given an order
for any quantity OF whisky from a gallon
to keg.
When he went to the livery stable to
engage team to take him to the other
town the livery man winked and said:
Better wait until this afternoon. The
man you want is not in this morning. {"
Il don't want any special man Any
old man will do" answered the other.
mo; the man that knows all the places
is OUT explained the liveryman. So
rather than argue and explain he waited
until the afternoon.
lust before he left he stepped up to
tile desk to pay his bill.
The landlady wants to see you before
you 60, said the clerk. And he went
in search of her. Presently a door
opened and the landlady came, carefully
locking the door behind her. There
were two other doors, and these she
carefully examined. looking out for
eavesdroppers, then locked. The piano
man was becoming alarmed, He thought
ofthe Benders and other horrible things.
The lady came up close to him with
an awful and mysterious light in her
eyes, and leaning over, whispered in his
ear:
81 sometimes handle your goods. Let
the bill go. Send me hve gallons right
away by express"
What" exclaimed the piano man
Five gallons of whatP Piano polish
A oTs that tphat 49,, I'll Il -, a