The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-14
LIE LEFT HIS WAD
II AT GREENHUT'S
Bot Mr.. Owen Pepper Didn't Get
the Worst of the Deal,
However.

Mr.. Owen Pepper vas Q citizen Of the
world who, for reasons best known TO
himself, seldom maintained o permanent
residence in any community for any great
stretch Of time. Whether he was impelled
by wsnderlust or nervous apprehension
was not clear, but what seemed certain to
those few who became well acquainted
with him was that he grew suspicious Of
his n~elghb0rs In q short time, no matter
where he was. And being suspicious he
moved.
II he reckoned on avoiding public notice
In this manner he probably overshot the
mark, for his frequent fittings from town
TO town along the Mississippi River re-
suited In his becoming well known, not
only on the boats but In many Of the river
towns.
When he went ashore ae Arkansas City,
a. he did ono night In ISS-, from the river
packet City OF Matches, there was no wait
ing delegation Of citizens on the levee to
welcome him with fireworks and a brass
band; neither did Joe Bassett, tho Sheriff.
consider 1t necessary to call out q posse
with shotguns, though It had been rumorsd
that he was coming back.
Mr.. Pepper had been In Arkansas City
before. On tho occasion OF his frst visit
he was looked upon as IN ordinary out
slider, liable 70 stay for possibly two orthree
days, and a. he had money-onc curious
thing about Mr.. Pepper was that hs always
had money-he had been made welcome
In old man Greenhut's back room.
There IL times said the old man, when
Jake W~interbottom questioned tho wisdom
Of introducing Mr.. Pepper--there Ia times
when faint necessary for to pry into any
man private Affairs too close. Ony
one thing pears to be tol'Able certain. n
that's his wad. Lowin' t he's q outlaw,
faint fitin' f'r him to be let ave no wad,
an II he's q respectable citizen. he's entitled
to Get in an take his chances"
Separating Mr.. Pepper from his wad.
however. had not proved to be an easy
thing to do. He was not a dashing player,
and 90 far as the skilled operators who
attempted the feat could discern he was
not specially def In the manipulation OF
the cards, but he was exceedingly wary,
and was not easily inveigled into betting
his hand against a stronger hand, no matter
what cards he chanoed to hold.
The result was that in the course Of his
first sojoun Mr.. Pepper came to be looked
upon as n Of the home talent Of Arkansas
City.
His indisputable skill in avoiding loss at
the poker table, even while he made no
considerable winnings, had earned for him
a certain measure OF success, but his de-
parture when he went away UNEXPECTEDLY
aroused no general regret, nor was his
return hailed with enthusiasm.
But Mr.. OwenP Peppers usual equilibrium
was glaringly absent when he reentered old
man Greenhut's saloon. In other words,
, Mr.. Owen Pepper was undeniably drunk.
Being drunk, he was not, however, I'M
mindful Of the obligations Of custom, and
his invitation 70 the company present was
marked that he had been for a long time
DESTROYS Of having another game Of draw
poker in the familiar old room, there was
an omipous glitter that flashed from eye to
eye, n no disposition was manifest to
Il disremember havin' saw this here
Pepper feller RELY topheavy Rfore," said
old man 0reenhut under his breath, q The got
out the cards and chips. Pears like the
sConsid'able like takin' candy I'm a
baby growled Joe Bassett somewhat
discontentediy, when he heard what the
old man was muttering 70 himself. -I'd a
heap ruther play with him when he's all
here"
."Tain'tn no part Of . good citizen, saidthe
old man, severely, Tor TO hector about
the dispensations o. Providence. Besides
candy amt no at thing f'r babies. nohow.
II this here Pepper il let keep his wad, he'd
sure do suthin' foolish with IT,"
We'll, reckon maybe you're right
said the Sheriff, but all the SANE I'd ruther
make a fight for it."
Winterbottom, however, and PearsalI
and Blaisdell seemed TO have different IDEAS.
and II they all bought chips from the old
man at nifty cents on the dollar, no one of
the three saw AZ to interfere with Peppers
paying the full price for his. The con-
tingency Of Mr.. Pepper coming out q winner