Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1907-12-12

desert pal. Hard by, in yon wood.
/ seem to see unfurnished lodgings.
Let us go there and wait till dark
There was an old, deserted cabin
In the grove, and we three took pos
session of it. After dark Bill Bassett
tells us to wait, and goes out for half
an hour. He comes back with a arm
full of bread and spareribs and pies.
'Panhandled 'em at a farmhouse
on Washita avenue says he. Eat,
drink, and be leary
THE full moon was coming up
bright, so we sat on the floor of the
cabin ana ate in the light of it. And
this Bill Bassett begins to brag.
Sometimes says he, with his
mouth full of country produce. I lose
all patience with you people that
think you are higher up in the profess
sion than | am. Now, what could
either of you do in the present emer-
gency to set us on our feet again?
Could you do it, Ricksy?'
"I must confess, Mr.. Bassett, says
Kicks, speaking nearly inaudible out
of slice of pie, that at this immedi-
ate juncture l could not, perhaps, pro-
mote an enterprise to relieve the sit
uation. Large operations, such as l
direct, naturally require careful prep
aration in advance. l.
"I know, Ricksy.' breaks in Bill
Bassett. You needn't finish. You
need $500 to make the first payment
on a blonde typewriter, and four
roomsful of quartered oak furniture
And you need $500 more for advertis-
ing contracts. And you need two
weeks time for the fish to begin to
bite Your line of relief would be
about as useful in an emergency as
advocating municipal ownership to
cure a man suffocated by S0-cent gas.
And your graft amt much swifter
Brother Peters, he winds up.
"'Oh,' says l, L haven't seen you
turn anything into gold with your
wand yet, Mr.. Good Fairy. Most any
body could rub the magic ring for a
little leftover victuals.'
THAT was only getting the pump
kin ready says Bassett. braggy and
cheerful. The coach and Skill
drive up to the door before you know
it, Miss Cinderella. Maybe you've got
some scheme under your sleeve-hold
ers that will give us a start
Son says I, I'm fifteen years
older than you are, and young enough
to yet take out an endowment policy.
I've been broke before. We can see
the lights of that town not half mile
away. | learned under Montague Sill
yer, the greatest street man that ever
spoke from a wagon. There are hun
dreds of men walking those streets
this moment with grease spots on
their clothes. Give me a gasoline
lamp, a dry goods box, and twodol-
lar bar of white CASTLE soap, cut into
little
Where's your two dollars?' snick-
cred Bill Bassett into my discourse.
There was no use arguing with that
burglar
NO he goes on; you're both
babes-in-the-wood. Finance has closed
the mahogany desk, and trade has put
the shutters up. Butn of you look to
labor to start the wheels going All
right. You admit it. Tonight I'll
show you what Bill Bassett can do
Bassett tells me and Kicks not to
leave the cabin till he comes back,
even if it's daylight, and then he
starts off toward town, whistling
gay
"This Alfred E. Kicks pulls off his
shoes and his coat, lays a silk hand
kerchief over his hat, and lays down
on the floor.
Il think I will endeavor to secure
little slumber,' he squeaks. The
day has been fatiguing. Goodnight,
my dear Mr.. Peters,
My regards to Morpheus says l.
1 think I'll sit up a while
About two o'clock, as near as |
could guess by my watch in Peavine,
home comes our laboring man and
kicks up Kicks, and calls us to the
streak of bright moonlight shining In