The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-26

When he was employed in the Santa
F'e offices in Topeka he was known as
Mr. So-and-so. 1t doesn't really matter
what the So-and-so stands for as in
connection with this recount of events
he was known as THE Lunger."
1t may seem a little harsh, to the
sturdy and robust folk, for a mortal
suffering with lung trouble to be called
by such a rough and Earring nickname
as 'Lunger,' but, after a fellow sets
out to seek a climate and an altitude
that will brace him up and make life
worth living, he gets used to that title
He gets used to it about the time he
reaches an altitude of 5000 feet, and
Silver City is credited with being up
in the air about "a mile above the sea
level. Then again it isn't simply the
higher altitude that takes the harsh
ness off the sobriquet. It's partly the
fact that there are others and, even In
high altitude, misery loves company
1t was a little rough the first time
he met the genial bar tender of the
| White House saloon at Silver City who
raised his eyebrows in a questioning
manner, as he leaned over the bar, ex-
tended his hand for a hearty hand
shake, held the hand of the newly made
acquaintance in front of the polished
hard wood counter and said, 'Lunger?''
with that infection that changes the
word from a statement to a question.
part of the man who was to answer. II
was so abrupt, so inquisitive. He had a
mind to take exceptions to the famlll-
arity of the questioner, but he didn't
He simply nodded his head.
Sorry for yer, my friend, sala the me
bartender, but you've CUNT jist tn.
right altitoode. Stay here a year an,
yer'n be fixed up dill right. Got a good
one left? Jest one gone? Yes, well that
I'm is jest as good as two. Man never
needed but one in this yere country Try;
Two is in tn road. Now. arter you
been here a year you'll be jes as MT as
ever and by that time We wouldnt go
back to the states if yer could. know
all about it, Had tn same myself
when I cum here. Have two fingers OF
Green River with me. Do We good. Ev-
cry doc in tn town prescribes 1t. one
doc over to ward Lame Johnny cany on
says a quarter day is bout right"
The bottle came across from me me
right hand of the bartender while the
/ two glasses travelled at the same time
| in the left hand.
yes a minnit," said the bartender
Had yer forgotten this was Christmas
eve? IT'S. Let's drink toast to the
folks We left back east 1 lived there
fore 1 cum here fer the asme- L know
how yer feel. Think Nv EN- just TINS
once and then fergit 'em.
The Green River without any well
spring or cistern water was a little raw
! to the tenderfOOt but he did ms pest
1 even if the tears did come as the herS
stuff went down The discernment o.
the man with the "asme" was pretty
good but it stopped before tears was
reached.
better" he said thinking that thu
thoughts of home brought the tears in
stead of the liquor. You'll be all rlgn
/ jes as soon as yer get acquainted WIZ
tn boys Whenever yer wantin' hell
| les drop in here t. the White House sa
loon an I'll allus do anything 1 kin fel
We If I'm busy in the back room a
the private stud poker table jes sent
word that The Lunger' wants t see M
an I'll come out as soon as the hant
is OUT
That couldn't be expected to be a yer!
| cheerful Christmas for 1.-The Lunger
and it wasn't. The dinner he had WASH
/ much like the usual Christmas dinners
/ Chinese restaurant dinners are no
much like turkey dinners at home, 70
| Venison took the place of turkey and /
/ anything took the place of the absen
/ cranberries it was the Mexican no
/ freioles ESvaporated cream doesn'
make II cent coffee taste ike Mochi
and Java; so, it was a mighty lone
some Christmas dinner for the new ar
| rival.
/ There was no snow, no sleigh bells, N
messenger boys carrying packages, NJ
| wreaths of evergreen and molly IN tn
| store windows, no full dress suits an'
| sink hats and none of the usual evi
dences of Christmas that he was use
to.
/ Men from the ranches and the cope
| and silver mines. the smelter and
large sprinkling of halfbreeds and Mex
leans were in town. The saloons ant
gambling houses were crowded. Mex
i leans basked along the walls on tn
shady sides Of the buildings and rone'
cigarettes A good many belts, brfst
ling with the tops of brass cartridges
were in evidence
J People glanced at THE Lunger" be