Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-22

glass, Tor the green anu the cTyStdl iOoh
mighty fine together. l don't always
make them with any sugar on top of the
mint. But you know. just a circle of
mint-not crushed-not crushed mind you
just a green ring of fragrance. so that
you can bury your nose in 1t and forget
your troubles. Sir. allow me once more
to shake your hand. l think j know a
gentleman when 1 see one
"A gentleman" said the other. smiling
slightly. We'll don't shake hands with
me yet. sir. / don't know. You see I'm
a railroad man. and I'm here on bust
ness
d it. sir. if il was only your de-
scription of a juIep. If it was only your
mention of that old family silver mug.
devoted to that sacred purpose, sir-that
would be your certificate of character
here. Forget your business. Come down
here and live with me. Well go huntin'
bah together. Why. man. I'm mighty
glad to make your ACQUAINTANCE"
But wait" said Eddring. there may
be two ways of looking at this
"Well. there's only one way of looking
at julep." said Blount. land that's down
a straw. Now. I'll show you how We
make them down here in the sunflOwer
country.
But. as was a-sayin' and here
Blount set down the glasses midway fin
his compromising, and went on with his
interrupted proposition-"now here was
that niger that lost his wife. OF course
what do you think that claim agent said
he would pay that Niger for his wife?'
well. l.
well. but what do you reckon?"
Why. I reckon about s15.'
That's it. that's itr' said Blount. slap
ping his hand upon the board until the
glasses jingled. That's just what he did
offer; SIS. Not a cent more"
We'll. now. Col. Blount." said Eddring,
you know there's a heap of mighty tri-
-, <,f he
world. You see. that fellow would marry
again in little while. and he might get
a heap better woman next time. There's
a lot of swapping wives among the mig
gers at best. Now, here's a man lost his
wife decent and respectable and there's
nothing on earth a niger likes better
than a good funeral. even If IL has to be
his own wife. Now. how many Niger
funerals are there that cost SIS? III bet
you If that Niger had ii to do over again
he'd a heap rather be rid of her and have
the SIS. Look at 1t! Fine funeral for one
wife and something left over to get a
bonnet for his new wife. I'll bet there
isn't niger on your place that wouldn't
jump at a chance like that"
Col. Blount scratched his head. you
understand niggers all right. I'll admit. -
said he. But. now, supposin' it had
been white man."
We'll. supposing ii was?''
Eve don't need to suppose. There was
lily. Wife got killed-left three children"
"Oh. you mean that accident down at
Shelby"
Eyes. Mrs. Something r-other. she was.
Well. sir, - me, If that Internal claim
agent didn't have the face to offer SIS
for her. too"
Looks almost like he played a fifteen
x0,p- :.
the visitor.
at certainly does. 1t amt right"
We'll. now, l heard about that woman.
She was a tall, thin creature, with no
liver left at all. and her chills came three
times a week. She wouldn't work: she
was red-headed and had only one straight
eye; and as for tongue-well. / only
hope, Col. Blount. athat you and ] will
never have a chance to meet anything
like that. OF course, l know she was
killed. Her husband just hated her be-
fore she died. but blame me- just as soon
as she was dead, he loved her more than
if she was his sweetheart all over again.
Now, that's how it goes Say. I want to
tell you, Col. Blount. this road is plumb
beneficent, II only for the fact that it de-
Fifteen dollars! Why. I tell you, sir, S15
was more than enough for that woman"
He turned Indignantly on the board pile.
Il reckon" said Col. Blount, that you
would say that about my neighbOr Jim
Bowles cow"
Certainly. I know about that COW,
too. She was twenty years old and on
her last legs. Road kills her, and all at
once she becomes dream of heifer love-
Illness. I know"
Il reckon" said Col. Blount. still more
grimly; Il reckon if that - claim agent
was to come here. he would just about
say that $15 was enough for my fly
II shouldn't wonder. Now, look here,
Col Blount. You see, I'm a railroad man.
and I'm able to see the other side of these
things"
"Oh, we'll. all right" said Blount, "but
that don't bring my filly back. You can't
get Himyah blood every day in the week.