Evening journal., 1906-08-28
TIE BARTENDER'S BLUFF
Made "a Whirlins Dervish, But He
Couldn't Make Two Alike.

you thought for a minute you had me
stuck, didn't your" inquired the bar
tender pleasantly Of the man who had
Just ordered. You'll have to guess again.
Tn a pretty old bird to fall down on
that easy one.
There are dozens Of new drinks in
vented every year" he continued, grow
ing confidential. "and, of course. there
is some call for the drinks Of yesteryear
so YOU will appreciate what it means TO
be a. first-class barkeep. If you're work
ing in a high-toned place and are earn
ing your salary you've got to know them
all. or at least be able to put up a pretty
good blum.
i've always made II a point to keep
UP 10 date and although once in a while
somebody gets a new one on me, I usually
hear Of a drink as soon as anyone else.
OF course. the game all the time IS never
to admit ignorance A strong BLUM will
usually make good
"There is a certain class Of fellows
whose chief occupation seems to be put
ting new ones at US barkeeps They
hear the name Of some drink that has
become all the rage further East, and
lllI 1L once llOL AIOAAu 10 AA9 Alo 0Ats
say. please mix me a golden pheasant
or something equally unheard OF, one Of
these fellows will say. giving me a side
ways look as much as 70 say; What's S
the answer. and it's up to me to make
good.
ITS 10 to ! that the man knows Just
as little about a golden pheasant as /
do. and couldn't tell one unless It had a
sign hung on it, This is always my op-
portrnity 7 don't blink an eye or look
in his direction a second time, but fall
TO work on the drink, putting everything
can lay my hands on into IL. Maybe
III fix him up some kind Of dope that
tastes pretty good, and again It might
not be ut to drink; but I have made
good with the customer and that's all
that's necessary. They always think it's
the fault Of the drink and not that Of
the mixer-that is, if he goes about il
with enough confidence.
"An old party came into the place.
stepped up to the bar and called for a
whirling dervish. made him a whirline
dervish. and by the time I got through
squirting syrups and cordals and bran
dies into the tall glass I had a drink
that I'll bet was a peach. He watched
me with some doubt in his eye. and ]
felt just a bit doubtful myself when ]
stood the results Of my labor in front OF
him. But when he drank it was reas.
sured. His eyes III up with the mos;
benevolent of expressions, and after he
had drained the glass he wanted to shake
me by the hand.
You can imagine my horror when the
old fellow sldled close to the bar and
called for another. Well, did some quick
thinking then. and suddenly decided tC
keep up the bluff if it cost me my job
7 again went to work and soon had a tai
glass containing a strange -colored liq-
uor ranged on the bar in front of him
watched the old man with considerable
apprehension as he wiped his lips anc
smiled in anticipation
THAT smile soon faded. He drank one
large swallow. put down the glass, ad
Justed his spectacles to his nose and look
ed at me so reproachfully that / would
have laughed outright had I not felt 81
cheap. How much do I owe your h,
said. reaching into his pocket. Nothing
not q cent. Those drinks are always OF
the house, stammered and leaned ovei
behind the bar. When I stood UP agar
my customer had gone. Wei, then I tast
Cd Of that drink, and-I couldn't holC
myself I simply leaned against the bal
and yelled"