The Mena weekly star., 1908-06-25
A WRECKED
 FRIENDSHIP

Parker who gets paid once a month. says that the man who cried; save me from my friends, or words to that effect, most likely had an experience similar to his own.
 It being pay day, Parker made bet on the races. Strange to relate, his horse won. Then, to property celebrate, he betook himself to re sort where the clink of the cut glass was music to his ear, and the odor ol the cut lemon refreshing to his nos trils. He had half a dozen or more pleasant prescriptions compounded by the man behind the bar and made seV eral very congenial acqusintances owing to the liberal manner in whici he insisted on paying for all drinks He told several funny stories, which were received with applause, and was voted a thorough good fellow by all He was enjoying himself hugely anc all the world looked bright. Ther came the cloud on his horizon. This cloud was Bayless.
 Parker was just In the act of order ing up another round when Bayless took in the situation and came ovel to the bar. In answer to Parker's in vitation as to what 1t would be, ht said he would take good cigar" and beiLg rendered one of the best in the house, he put 1t in his pocket for flu ture reference. When the drinks had been disposed of and Parker exposed his roll of bills in paying the check Bayless, with the license of friend remarked: Here, let me take care of that for you until tomorrow. Dont think you are going to relieve tho financial panic just because you got paid of today" And Parker, in his maudlin innocence, turned it over to him. Bayless soon departed, saying to Parker as he left that he would get his money back when he got good and sober, and not before.
 A cloud passed over the faces of his new found friends as they saw Bayless and the money disappear Do you know that guy?" one of them in quired of Parker The latter replied that he had a boarding house ac. qusintance with him. Well, take 1t from me-" replied the other, there's nothin' in this thing of lettin' other people take care of your coin for you. The guy may be on the square, but 1t is the one best bet that he makes you beg to get your roll back"
 Parker noticed that the manner of his newly made friends had become less respectful, now that the money was gone. He tried to tell story but no one would listen to him. His popularity had waned. He inwardly cursed himself and cursed Bayless, and sorrowfully he made his way un- steadily to his car.
 The next morning he felt decidedly seedy. He needed many things, ex- formally and internally, and he figura- lively champed his bit as he thought of how Bayless had persuaded him to give him his money. He found 15 cents in his clothes and deliberated for some time as to whether to invest it in shave or drink. but the drink got the decision. Then he went around and rapped up Bayless.
 Bayless came out looking clear-eyed and healthy to an extent that was ir. ritating to Parker in his nervous fraz- Iled.out condition. Say, old man, I'm certainly much obliged to you for taking care of that roll for me last night. As I want to get Turkish bath and a shave and a general over hauling, thought I'd come around and look you up," said Parker in rather an apologetic tone, and despising himself meanwhile. Bayless had caught the oodr of the alcohol, however. and as he noted Parker's nervous, uneasy manner, assumed a belligerent atti- tude. T should think a man like you, Parker, would have better sense than to be throwing your money around like that" he said to him, se- verely.
 Well, l don't often get that way, you know" replied Parker, humbly feeling obliged to take this attitude. as Bayless had as yet made no move toward returning him his money. 'Ill just take that money of mine now, please" he continued. No. you won't" said Bayless. with a patroniz- ing air. If l gave you this money you'd go right of and get tanked up again. I'll wait a few days and see how you behave, then if you are good v,o.tha Iflf lot xro,, havo
 Parker was raging inwardly. but he tried to be calm and diplomatic. He explained to Bayless as calmly as he could that he needed a few things at the druggists for his nerves, Turkish bath and 8 general golng-over by the barber to get himself around into a normal state again. but Bayless only laughed at him In doing so he reached Parkers limit, and the latter made one jump for him and seized him by the collar See here, Bay. less" he said. I've had enough of this farce You've got bundle of my money and if you don't dig it up right away I'll find way to make you do it, and don't want any lectures about the evils of drink while you are about 1t, either. Now dig up that money"
 Bayless, with the air of one who had been greatly injured, got the money from the bottom of his trunk and handed it to the owner, who stuffed fl in his pocket and walked away with nuf cnunting tt