The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1899-07-04

O motion, was carried with applause that
shook cans of tomatoes and boxes of sar-
dimes off Jake grocery shelves, while his
stock of lanterns and tinware suspended
from numerous hooks in the ceiling nod
ded and clangid II approval like 50 many
liberty bells.
Then the Gapers set to work in earnest
The time was short, but what they lacked
in time they made up in energy. The hot
July sun had barely pushed its face above
the eastern mountains on the morning of
the Fourth before the picnic grove at the
Gap swarmed with people of both sexes
putting the finishing touches to the extra
preparations for entertaining the expected
horde from Pot Luck.
Two big fat steers instead of one, six
fat sheep instead of three and a dozen in
stead of six fat young porkers were al
ready smoking over the barbecue pits,
done to juicy brown crispiness known
only to the art of Jose Pacheco while long
rows of tables groaned under the weight
of other good things. Everything the
larders of thrifty Gapers could supply was
there, with such boxes and baskets of
fruit and such stacks of melons as only
the foothills of California could furnish.
a scene of equal hustle and activity
though animated by far different spirit,
was transpiring up among the pines at Pot
Luck that bright July morning where
their chosen leaders were marshaling the
invading hosts
Pack your guns? OF course; every
man Of us, j." said Ike Bledsoe in answer
TO query as the column began to form.
Pm peaceable citizen, and we amt
huntin fer trouble, but we may want to
fire salute, you know. Leastwise the
woods is full of bears, and we may be late
nv
once just because I'd left my gun to
home"
Bursts of laughter greeted Ike's ironic-
al declaration OF l,eace,'' and as the an
wills at the Gap began to boom and echo
across the valley and up the canyon to-
ward Pot Luck motley army 500 strong
of almost every race and color under the
sun and headed by the flies and drums of
a strolling band of minstrcls marched with
swinging stride down the winding road
between the solemn pines and rcdwoods
toward the Gap.
The Gapcrs heard their coming miles
away and, forming as many couples as
there were ladies on the grounds, went
out to meet them with waving banners Of
welcome and a lively burst of music from
their own excellent band.
The Pot Luckers heard the advancing
music with quaking hearts That their
raid was anticipated upset even their
leaders, and only by heroic effort on their
part was the column Kept in motion as the
Gapers drew near.
They're on TO our game, BILL said
Ike BledsOe, galloping up to his lieutenant
just as their own music wavered and came
to a sudden stop. Ride ahead and start
that music again and keep it goin if you
have to shoot n couple of drumlncrs. If
that stops, half this rabble'll take to the
woods i'll no time Come on, boys" he
shouted to the faltering ranks, they're
comm to meet us. No flunkin now. I'm
peaceable man and don't want to hurt
nobody, but I'll plug the first man that
makes a break to run"
Without stopping their music or break
ing the step of their guests the Gapers
''about faced and escorted them to the
grounds, where the leaders We're conduct
ed to chairs ON the speakers stand with
their own committee, the rank and file to
desirable seats under a banner inscribed,
These Seats Reserved For Pot Luckers."
The embarrassment and chagrin of the
Pot Luckers, which, as Ike Bledsoe after
ward declared, made every man of 'em
feel like within down to his boot tops,
disappeared quickly before the friendly
spirit manifest on all sides, tbs orator of
the day closing his address with these
words:
ITO our fellow citizens of Pot Luck
who have honorcd us so proudly by their
presence in such numbers here today, we
extend the glad hand of fellowship and
welcome. Pitch in, gentlemen of Pot
Luck, and enjoy yourselves. Everything
on the grounds is yours, and you re as
welcome to it eS you are to the water that
dashes down yonder mountain side or to
the balmy air that floats up to Us over the
tree tors fron the bosom of the broad
Pacific -
When the tables were spread, the ladies
devoted themselves to their guests, and