Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-15

erage" liquor it was. Where did 1 get it;
| Well, you shall hear presently. Let me
| go back a few steps and tell the story
from the beginning.
Among the wiseacres who rendered me
advice when I started out on this cam
paign there were those who prentended
to believe that my quest would be fruit
less through the major portion of the
"arid" regions of this Southern California
section, but the one town they all swore
was unimpeachable was Whittier. Nat
urally this only strengthened my deter
mination to unearth the blind-porker
which previous experience had convinced
me was concealed somewhere within the
city limits.
1t was a fine bright morning, well in
advance of noon, when l alighted from
the car to begin my Investigations.
Finds the hLark's Nest'
The early morning activity had sub
sided somewhat and the frequenters of
the street were mostly invisible. Some
few matrons, intent upon their MORN
ing's shopping, hurried by me and a few
children truant from school, or blessed
with a vacation, ran playing up the
streets.
l traversed the thoroughfares of the
downtown section, walking slowly, the
better to scan the stores and people
passed, meanwhile searching for the
point from which I have heretofore al
ways succeeded in getting a tip as to
the location of any liquid fire. purvey-
or, when such there was to be found
the village pool room.
At last I found it (the pool room,
mean, and summonlng my most bored
and worldly manner, sauntered in.
The place (yclept THE Lark's Nest and
located at lis Philadelphia street, was
neatly kept and attractive little loung-
ing club for the patrons who dropped in
to toy with the ivory globes.
The three pool tables were in fine
shape and when entered were all
working" Comfortable chairs on a
little elevated platform were provided
for onlookers, many of whom were sip
ping iced drinks, all of the ''soft" per-
suasion, provided from the little ice box
near the front door. The fore part OF
the room was provided with several
lounging chairs, a long table, on which
were spread the latest papers and a
magazine or two on one side, while a
cigar counter stocked with the leading
brands of cigars and tobacco fianked II
on the other.
seated myself in the pool room proper
and when opportunity offered Joined in
comment on one of the games in
progress.
Much of the laughter and conversation
over the game mentioned was directed
at the almost unbelievable luck of man
whom the crowd called "Bill"-whetheI
as nickname or because he had been
so baptized I am uncertain.
He was a great, good-natured, broad
shouldered hulk of a chap, dressed in
overalls and a working shirt Jovial OF
countenance, his broad mouth was per-
petually a-grin. and his deep-voiced
comments on the futile attempts of his
adversary to catch up in the score were
almost unceasing.
That's science" he would say, as,
after a wild shot on his part, his cue
ball would roquet across the cloth and
knock a good-sized stripe" into the
pocket for him. Now If you only would
use the science do you'd stand show.
But of course il you don't know how
there's no real use of your playing
against me-" and with a hearty laugh
he would give way to his opponents S
turn.
Finally an opening and willing player
afforded me an opportunity to engage
in game on one of the other tables
and ceased watching him for the time
being had, however made up my
mind that If anybody there could and
would give me the information sought
it was "Bill."
Consequently, when shortly after he
ended his game and started to leave the
place, I followed Joining him on the