Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1907-09-19

db Tue same Ullne was uOO edSlly
forgotten.
A man sometimes in taking an in
ventoiy Of himself and is mistakes
falls into a mental speculation OF
wonderment and surprise that any
one rational and in possession of all
his faculties can entertain any
special respect for his own so-called
business qualifications. Fred was
in his room, and in this mood when
there came a gentle knocking at his
door He quickly admitted the Wis
itor and found it was Dick Ballard
the proprietor.
81 reckon" he said, as soon as
he stepped in and carefully closed
the door, you'll be one of us by'
and by. Bought property already
and a mighty good purchase it was
too. oh, you know a good thing
when you see it, you bet your life
you do"
DO you believe; sad Fred, al
ter recovering his surprise, that
the lots l purchased were reason
able in price"
81 should say so; mighty cheap
This ere town is coming out of the
kings in fine shape Well have 2
drum corps in our state militia
company before another year, you
bet we will. / presume you know
we have the finest drilled com
rany at Waterville, outside of the
regular army the State?"
II have been told" said Fred
that / paid too much for the prop
erty / purchased, / am more inter
ested Ia learning the truth or falsi
ested in this statement than | am
about your military company.
Who told you that?' asked Bal
lard, with Indignation AS Fred
III 10 answer, the hotel propr'
went Oil to say, CHI bet it was }
Arthur Boast. You want to let
him alone. He is so low down that
the Indians on tie reservation won 4
have anything to do with him, and
the red skins are so trifing that |
won t lelt 'em sleep on the porch
of this here hotel. Far bet it from
me, however, to speak bad of any
one; but remember, Mr.. Rockwell,
and put it down in your pipe and
smoke it, that you can't believe
everything these fellers tell YOU"
The truth Of the remark impress
ed itself on Fred so forcibly ano
his indignation getting the better
OF him, he turned quickly upon
Dick Ballard and said bitterly,
"Who in can believer
"You may believe me, sir. re.
joined Ballard with the bristling
quickness of return blow, and
! il produce prima facie evidence
Of everything | say. This town S
all right; your investment is a
good one, and the man who says it is
net is most criminally interfering
with other peoples business-but
say. hold on minute, " said Bal
lard, as if he had forgotten some
thing, "will you take drink2"
''No, | thank you, said Fred.
"Well, if you don't mind, l
will, F" said the landlord, as he pro
duced a flask frof his pocket and
proceeded to treat himself to a
liberal portion of the contents OF
the bottle
1.-THE fact is" he went on to say
in a half whisper, Mrs. Ballard
keeps devilish close watch on me
and it's really an accommodation
pardner, to find even standing room
where | can take a nip at my bottle
and not feel that her catlike eyes
are on me. Oh, she's a terror
she is, from strictly a white ribbon
standpoint. When she scolds, yor
think it is cyclone; when she at
tempts to speak gently, which il
dagnation seldom, can tell you
then you are. reminded of an or
binary fog horn. !"
almost everything said FREQ
smiling, depends upon ones poin
of view"
Ballard failed to catch the irony
of the remark and as he sat down
smacking his lips at the remem
brance of the drink he had had
j and carefllllv uniting one hand Ill