Evening star., 1898-03-11
THE PLANO MANS FLASK.
How Business of the Wrong Sort Was
Thrust Upon Him In Kansas.

Thrust pom Him IN hansas.
From the Kansas City Times.
Kansas City man who sells pianos
takes frequent trips into Kansas. Not
long ago he heard of a man who wanted
a piano out in a little town in Marion
county. The town was off the line of the
railroad. and he would have to drive ten
miles from the railroad town to see his
prospective customer. The town on the
railroad is not a large place, but it is ex-
ceedingly interesting. The piano man had
been there once before and knew young
man who lived in the town, who. how
ever. did not know the nature OF his busi-
ness. He had learned that the man i'll
the other town was away and would not be
home for two days. so he determined to
pass them in the railroad town.
He looking out the hotel window
when he saw on the opposite side of the
street the man he knew. He rushed out
and called to the native, for he was get
ting tired of himself. After the usual
greetings the piano man said, with the
Peculiar mods and winks in Kansas:
Cant we get drop of beer around here
sc somewhere?"
Not a smell in town." answered the
native You can get some stuff at the
drug store they call whisky, but it would
burn hole in boot"
Never mind I've a little good stuff in
my grip. Como up to the hotel and have
drink. said the piano man.
AH 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 that sort
OF thing In few minutes his friend en-
tered, followed by six native whiskers
eager eyes and dropping mouths. The piano
man could see the ignominious finish of his
pint of whisky in the crowd.
For some time he hesitated hoping they
would grow tired and go away. but they
all sat around the stove and talked poll
tics until the plano man. seeing that they
would stay until the next morning if moth
Ing happened, said, in as hospitable d tone
as the circumstances would permit. Gen
tlemen, have a small bottle of fine whisky
here Won't you join me in a drink?'' The
men all looked around fearfully, with their
fingers on their lips. and said, ''Hus-s-shr'
Ike comic opera chorus. Then the old
est man arose and tiptoed out of the room,
the others following. They filed along a
hall and stopped in the dining room before
q water cooler.
The piano man produced his pint of liquor
and gravely handed it to the old man.
who took a "snorter." The bottle was
handed down the Lire. A door creaked in
looked around. and. framed in n square
place in the door. was the face of the land
lady of the hotel.
It's all right, madam" said the piano
man II m only showing few samples. -
The face disappeared. When the bottle
got back to the piano man there wasn't
enough liquor in it to- make his eye
smart.
guests of the bottle and each called him to
one side ard whispered confidentialiy:
Jest send me up gallon O. that there
liquor. at the same time trying to slip
rrNfn hfs.h
that lie explained that he did not sell
whisky a few minutes later, as he was
walking up the street. ne heard a "Histr'
and man beckoned to him from the door
OF blacksmith shop.
Il hear you sell mighty good stuff. Jest
send me a gallon. Amt got a sample
about We. have ye?''
See here" the piano man shouted, I'm
no whisky peddler. What you you mean ?''
INA sail right. Tha'sall right!' said the
blacksmith Il amt saying nothing. Just
ship me gallon by express And he
winked significantly.
Wherever the plano man went he was
taken I" one side and given an order for
any quantity Of whisky from gallon to
e. keg.
When he went to the livery stable to
town the liveryman winked and said
Better wait until this afternoon. The
man you want is not in this morning."
7 don't want any special man. Any
old man will DO" answered the other
NO: the man that knows all the places
Is ont explained the Hveryman. So
rather than argue and explain, he waited
until the afternoon
Just before he left he stepped up to the
hotel desk to pay his bill.
The iandlady wants to see you before
you 60" said the clerk. And he went in
search Of her. Presently door opened
and the landlady came in, carefully lock-
ing the door behind her. There were two
other doors, and these she carefully exam
ined. looking out for eavesdroppers, then
locked The piano man was becoming
alarmed. He thought of the Benders and
ether horrible things.
The landlady came close up to him with
an awful and mysterious light in her eyes,
and. leaning over. whispered in his ear.
II sometimes handle your goods. Let the
bill go. Send NE five gallons right away by
express"
What" exclaimed the piano man. Five
gallons OF what? Plano polish?'
rs that what you call il now?' she said
with a knowing wink. you gave my old
man drink the ether day. He says II
was the fircst he ever swallowed i can