The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-03-13

"~ ONT bother to light your
lamp" said the travelling
salesman. 81 can see to
drink in the dark"
Wen get some moonlight If l leave
the curtain up" responded the drug
gist, though I'm on the shady side of
the street"
II guess that's where you want to
be in such a dry town as this" said
the salesman. The shadier you are
the more business you can do. Are
they making you much trouble3"
The druggist had put some glasses
and bottle upon a table and had
glanced toward the window to assure
himself that no one could see in from
the street. The other side of the way
was all in vivid moonlight; the snow
sparkled with myriad jewels, and the
white fronts Of the quaint old stores
glared as if the worn paint upon them
had been miraculously renewed. In
the midst of the brightness appeared
the tall figure Of man clothed all in
black. He walked briskly to one Of
the stores and halted, disappointed.
There's a customer for you" said
the salesman. "YOur venerable COM
petitOr has shut up shop for the night"
THAT man will never come over
here" said the druggist. HE trades
exclusively with Dr. Columbus Hatch,
my venerable competitor"
Matter Of sentiment, 1 suppose.
Hatch is an old timer, and you're an
intruder"
The druggist tapped the bottle with
pencil
IT'S a matter Of that" he said.
Temperance crankT queried the
salesman, setting down his glass.
''Well, I'd hardly like to call that fell
low a crar y" said the druggist. "He's
a smooth proposition. I'm more afraid
Of him than Of all the others put to-
gether. He'll run me out Of this town If
don't look sharp"
"Who is he?"
Minister Of the Stone church, up on
Court street. His name is Ormond
Davis"
The salesman walked to the window
and cautiously looked out. The Rev.
Mr.. Davis was standing on the riekety
wooden platform in front Of DR.. Co
lumbus Hatch's store and was intently
viewing the moonlight on the river.
His face was clearly illumined.
THAT man looks mighty familiar to
me-" said the salesman. How long
has he been in this town.
5 "a couple Of years." was the reply.
'sHe seems to have considerable pull
even with people who don't go to his
church or to any church at all. I've
had trouble with him, and I'm going to
have more.
'''ThiS is the first chance I've had to
do business for myself" he continued
Il was clerk in a New York store and
was on a vacation when 1 happened to
strike this town. It's a great place in
the summer. I stopped off here a few
days and found that there was no drug
gist except that old fossil Hatch, who
is the worst prohibition crank in the
bunch and wouldn't sell whisky even
on a prescription.
''Well, Aad a few hundred dollars,
and 1 came down here and took this
store, getting my stock on credit. In
little more than a year I've squared up
everything and have laid some money
away"
''Must be a thirsty town." said
Barnes.
''It's a town where the thirsty ones
have to come to me-" said the druggist,
"and take what give 'em and pay my
price for it. SeeT'
'As sell you most Of your back room
stock" said Barnes, with a laugh, 81
see perfectly"
Barnes was staring out Of the win
dow.
81 believe I'll take a closer look at
that fellow" said he. "I'Il be back in
a few minutes
The Rev. Mr.. Davis had turned from
his contemplation Of the river and had
begun to ascend the hill. From his
window the druggist saw Barnes cross
the street and follow in the minister's
steps. 1t may have been twenty min
utes later when he returned to the
store. He seemed much perplexed.
Or. Sempler, this is a queer case"
be said. 81 could swear that that fell
low Is John Davis, whom used to
know fifteen or eighteen years ago in
Gloucester"
did you speak to him7" asked the
druggist.
Barnes shook his head.
"He can't be John Davis" he an
sWered, because John Davis is dead,
and If there's any way to figure out
that he is John Davis you don't want
him to be put upon his guard just yet"
Sempler showed his excitement
''You don't mean to tell me that