Arizona republican., 1904-06-27
THE WHEN BEN SCORED
Story of a Joke That Was Really
 Made Practical.

Ben Peterson is a black man; so a standing invitation at the white house. but unfortunately he hasn't got it. Beside being black Ben is also q bootblack and stands well up in his profession He conducts three chair empori ium in front of the Cabinet saloon on Washington street. Though there is no logical reason for it, it is a fact that bootblacks are considered a natur- al pl, Y for practical jokers Ben. be-
 ing so prominently located, and in q. position where he tickles the heels of society every day, has naturally held or to the snort end of more hot jokes than any man of his size and age in this village.
 But every dog and some bootblacks have their day and Ben has borne his crosses cheerfully, biding the turn of the tide. IL came at last and now F, w. Thode and N. c. Webster, who are numbered among his most persistent and skillful tormentors, are paying cLL the line and dealing with him as di- plomatically as possible
 It is customary for those who de- sire to curry favor with bootblack. to hand him a cigar occasionally and the gentlemen named are in no wise close listed so Ben has come to look upon them as live ones." They gave him fine looking weed the other night. as they have often done before, but Ben told them he would put it in his af They finally persuaded him 70 light up and be sociablc and he did so but they became so much interested in him that his suspicious were aroused, especially as relations during the day had been somewhat strained, so he let the Havd- na go out. But he kept it till he go; home and made an investigation when he found a healthy looking firecracker concealed in it's bosom.
 The next morning he got half pound of cotton batting and placed 1t over one of his eyes holding it in pllce with a yard of musline scientifically swathed around his head. When he appeared at his place of business Mir. Thode grew pale and asked him what was the matter. ''Nevah mind what's the mat tah with me-" said Ben, as he began to put his stand in order, just wait t:ll, my lawyeh comes home an I'll show you people what it means to go roun' heah killin' folks with yoh funny bus:- ness" Mir Thode grew intensely sympathetic and finally told Ben to go at once to Dr. Blanks office and have his eyes tended to. T got no money for doctahs," said Ben. Never mind the money part" replied MT. Thode, tell him to send all the bills to me"
 But Ben seemed in no hurry :o go There was more to be done first. for Mir. Webster had not yet arrived. For several hours Ben kept his bandages in place while the sweat rolled down his face and finally MT. Webster ap- peared. He at once grew interested and also advised Ben to so to a doctor say
 ing he ought to have his eye attended to at once and offering to settle the doctor bill for him, if he was hesitating about the expense of it.
 That's all right about the doctah bills" said Ben, but that dcan give me back my good eye and meantime you all keep on goin' round here, crip- plin' up people fer life with yer dam funny business. Wait till my lawyeh comes home and I'll fix you plenty"
 It was evident to Messrs. Thode and Webster that a compromise was in or der and Ben was called to one side for a conference. At it's conclusion he walk ed away with a box of cigars under his arm. And the way that black boys face healed was marvellous. When he returned to work a half hour later there wasn't even a scar on it.