West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1908-11-19
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9ACfUST TcITY
BY o. HENRY.

eraf hands for the things that their
hearts desire. The bulk OF this semi
precious metal goes TO Navarro &
Platt. Their huge brick building covers
enough ground 10 Craze a dozen head
or sheep. You can buy OF them rat
tlesnake skin necktie, an automobile
or an eighty-fiye dollar latest style la.
dy's tan coat In twenty different shades.
Navarro & Platt first introduced pen
nies west of the Colorado river. They
had been ranchmen with business
heads, who saw that the world did not
necessarily have to cease its revolu-
tions after free grass went out
Every spring Navarro, senior part
ner. fifty-fve. half Spanish. cosmopoli-
tan, able. polished, had gone on" TO
New York to buy goods. This year he
shied at taking up the long trail. He
was undoubtedly growing older. and
he looked at his watch several times a
day before the hour came for his
siesta.
John" he said to his junior part
ner, ''you shall go on this year TO buy
the goods"
Plat looked tired.
I'm told" said he, that New York
Is plumb dead town. but I'll 20. /
can take whirl I'm San Antoine for a
few days on my way and have some
fun"
Two weeks later n man In n Texas
full dress sult-blacll frock coat. broad
brimmed soft white hat and lay down
collar three-quarters of an inch high.
with black. wrought iron necktie-en.
fnr f1n sl.AIA l..
tablishment OF Zlzzbaum & Son on
lower Broadway.
Old ZiZzbaum had the eye of an
osprey, the memory OF an elephant and
mind that unfolded from him I'm
three movements like the puzzle OF the
carpenters rule. He rolled TO the
front like a brunette polar bear and
shook Platt's hand.
And how is the good Mr.. Navarro
In Texas?" he said. "The trip was too
long for him this year, so? We well
come Mr.. Plat instead"
"a bullseye," said Platt. "and I'd
give forty acres OF unirrigated Pecos
county land TO know how you did It."
II knew" grinned Zizzbaum. "just as
j know that the rainfall I'm El Paso for
the year was 2S.5 inches. or an increase
-cf~6fteea inches. and that therefore Ma
varro & Plat will buy $4,000 stock
OF suits this spring instead of $4,000,
as In dry year. But that Will be to-
morroY. There is first cigar In my
private Office that Will remove from
your mouth the taste of the ones you
smuggle across the Rio Grande and
like-because they are smuggled."
1t was late In the afternoon and bust
ness for the day had ended. Zizzbaum
left Platt with Il half smoked cigar and
came out of the private Office to son,
who was arranging his diamond scarf
pin before mirror, ready to leave
ABBEY" he said, you Will have to
take Mr.. Platt around tonight and
show him things. They are customers
for ten years. Mr.. Navarro and we
played chess every moment of spare
time when he came. That is good, but
Mr. Platt is a young man. and this is
his first visit to New York. He should
amuse easily"
All right" said Abey, screwing the
guard tightly on his pin. "I'll take him
on. After he's seen the Flatiron and
the head waiter at the Hotel Astor and
heard the phonograph play Under the
Old Apple Tree it'll be half past 10,
and Mr.. Texas will he ready-to roll up
In his blanket. I've got supper en-.
gagement at 11:30, but he'll be all to
the Mrs. Winslow before then"
The next morning at 10 Platt walked
into the store ready to do business
He had n bunch Of hyacinths pinned
on his lapel. Zizzbaum himself wait.
ed on him. Navarro & Platt were good
customers and never failed to take
their discount for cash.
And what did you think of our lit
tie town asked Zizzbaum, with the
fatuous smile of tho Manhattanite.
II shouldn't care TO live I'm it," said
the Texan. "Your son and knocked
around quite bit last night You've
got good water. but Cactus City is bet.
ter lit up"
We've got a few lights on Broad.
way, don't you think. Mr. Plattf"
"And good many shadows" said
Platt. II think like your horses best
l haven't seen a crowbalt since I've
been In town"
zlzzbaum led him upstairs to show
the samples OF suits
ASK Miss Asher TO come" he said
to a clerk.
Miss Asher came, and Platt Of Ma
yarro & Platt felt for the FIRST time the
wonderful bright light Of romance and
glory descend upon him. He stood still
as granite cliff above the Canyon OF
the Colorado, with his wide open eyes
fixed upon her. Sine noticed his look
and flushed a little. which was con
trary to her custom
Miss Asher was the crack model OF
Zlzzbaum & Son. She was OF the blond
type known as medium" Her meas
urements even went the required 3S-
2542 standard a little better. She
bad been at Zizzbaum's two years and
knew her business. Her eye was
bright. but cool. and had she chosen to
match her gaze against the optic OF
the famed basillsk that fabulous mon.
ster's gaze would have wavered and
softened first Incidentally she knew
buyers.
Now, Mr. Platt," said Zizzbaum,
Il want you to see these princess
gowns In the light shades. They viii
be the thing in your climate. This
first, II you please. Miss Asher"
Swiftly In and out Of the dressing
room the prize model few, each time
wearing a new costume and looking
more stunning with every change. She
posed with absolute self possession be-
fore the stricken buyer. who stood
tongue tied and motlonless while ZIzz-
baum GRATED OILY OF the styles On
the models face was her faint, inn