The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-01

the congratulations made to him as the former chum of the hero of the hour, MT. Daniel Webster Togler, better known formely al Los Garplllos as Thirsty Dan."
 It was, incidentally, great day for MT. Pete Watkins
 Then John T. Drogal, the editor, stepped up on d chair with a bottle in each hand, and called for Three cheers for Dan Togler the hero of Manila, who drove the proud Spaniard from the eastern seas.'
 It must be admitted, however, that the past history of the presen' hero left much to be desired in the way or honesty, worth or honor.
 Thirsty Dan" had earned his sobriquet during his eight years residence in Los Grapillos from his unlimited capacity 70 swallow drink of any description. The bed of no dry arroyo, white with alkali and cracked and baking in the hot sun, ever absorbed fluid more quickly, completely or unendngly that did Dan Togler. The only virtue to which he could lay claim was an almost superhuman ability to withstand the physical effects on the or dinary man. With Togler the only re-. suit of his habits seemed to be a total impairment of willingness to do manual labor. For many years 1t had been n subject of discussion at Los Garpillos whether the most inert and worthless greaser in the town did not engage in more physical eXertion during the course of a year than did Thirsty Dan." His good nature and his extraordinary luck at faro had been the only attributes by which he managed to secure the means to exist The first had gained him the friendship of MT. Pete Watkins and a share in the latters bunklng accommoda- tons. The second had obtained for him his frequent drinks and his semi-occa- sional meals.
 When John T. Drognls invention had been put to task for personals with which to fill up the columns of the Screamer, Thirsty Dams general habits and charac- teristcs formed inexhaustible topic. Togler had not even the saving quality Of being handy with his gun" In fact, the only pistol which he had ever possessed D had passed into Glotherman's possession years ago in exchange for drink.
 There had been a vague rumor that five years ago. when his luck at cards hao been particularly bad, he had gone over toward San Jago to the placer district and had actually shoveled and screened about a ton of gravel. Such an event would have been inconveivable if 1t had not been that he had returned in a lev days with $4 worth of tre color which very rapidly passed into Glothermans hands Whether the report was true or
 
 m for such a rumor to prevail again.
 t seven months ago "Thirsty Dan" had struck a continuous run of bad tuck at faro, and in view of his endless appli- cations for loans and credit, the patience or Ios Garnollos had become almost ex- hausted Matters came to a crisis one ,1gnt when Lone Hand" Piker, return ing to his cabin rather earlier than usual r-on tha Bucket of Blood" discovered him coming out of the door with pair or sllver-inounted revolvers, relicE of for mer South Carolinian life, and which PilIer prized exceedingly.
 Although Dan had claimed that he was only borrowing them 70 shoot rattle snakes. his explanation had been unsatis- factory 10 MT. Piker. The next evening q mass meeting of citizens had been held, pr. Logan Macdonald. the railroad doc tor presiding. And after short dlscus- sion it was unanimously voted that the presence of MT. Daniel Webster Ioglot was no longer needed in Los Garpliios. The only difficulty seemed to lie In his limited means for travel This obstacle had been soon surmounted by the making up of d purse to purchase ucke1 lol him and to provide funds to pay his way 10 San Francisco. the money 10 pc placeu not in his own hands, but In those or the train conductor, with instructions 10 pass him on to the next conductor
 And so on October 24 1897, Dan Ioslef' n1uch against his will. had boarded the train on the little branch road, with vivid warning from the band or citizens who escorted him never to return tc Los Garpillos.
 Nothing had been heard or seen or nm since that day until the night III lass January when Pete Watkins hau reeeiNeu n letter from him. conveying the extra
 
 energy enough to do something at last ond bod enlisted on the Concord. mel dentally the writer had gone on to state [ ,at lie Was extremely hard up at the time that the generous contributions oi his townsmen had long since been ex- hauted and that if Pete could see his way clear to seno him $o or even sz, h would promise to return 1t out or his first months pay.
 If is needless to say that Mir. Pete Watkins had not seen his way clear. That evening, on the second of May, the entire male population assembled at tho Palace Hotel. Togler's new role was the sole topic. and the only thought was how to do fit honor to the event.
 Well the first thing we want to do ia to blow the tlmbers out from under the San Jagons in the way of ceiepra- tion said Dr. Mcdonald to whom all turned naturally first for suggestions:
 That's right. hou Ne 4 9'i "e,N ..,rhree cheers for the Doc" they shouted.
 ..The next thing is to show how we ap- nreciate the honor that our distinguished townsman has brought upon the town Macdonald continued with an nhcompre- hended tnge of sarcasm
 .T alus told yer fellers 'Thirtsy Dan d more inter him than ye thought Didnt alus tell yer he'd do something ter astonisb yer some day?" remarked MT Jolter Greensboro.
 Snrgestions for the form of the pro- posed celebration now came thick and fast. =, liked " remarked old Joe Brigham c'Mor- mon Joe he was called).
 Cousin who?" asked Watkins in as- tonishment. ,,., suavely
 "Are you referring. maybe, to Thirsty Dan.' I might ask?" 'Lne Hand' Piker sail. with string of oaths.
 Who else?" Brigham continued to look benevolent.
 "Cousin, Rats. he warn't no cousin O vours.,' said Watkins hotly. Watkins did not propose to have the honor or having chummed for six years with Togler wrest- ed away from him by any pretended claim to relationship now set up for the first time "Certainly he was" Brigham answered doggedly. 'Daniel was my aunt's second husbands nephew" Well, it's taken you pretty alarmed long time to work that out, replied Wat kins. We never heard you shoot of your month about it while he lived in these parts did we boys?
 There was a shout of sarcastic desirion in raplN