The Tupelo journal., 1908-06-26
A WRECKED
FRIEN DSHIP

effect, most Elkely had an experience
similar to hisN own.
1t being pay day, Parker made
bet on the races. '>Strange to relate,
his horse won. Then, to properly
celebrate, he betook himself to a re.
sort where the clink of the cut glass
was music to his ear, and the odor of
the cut lemon refreshing to his nos
trils. He had half a dozen or imore
pleasant prescriptions compounded by
the man behind the bar and mads sew
eral very congenial acquaintance,
owing to the liberal manner In which
he insisted on paying for all drinks.
He told several funny stories, Which
were received with applause, and Vas
voted thorough good fellow" by a ~
He was enjoying himself hugely an
all the world looked bright. Then
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 cane over
to the bar. In answer to Parker's In
vitation as to what it would be. he
said he would take good cigar, and
being rendered one of the best in the
house, he put it in his pocket for fu-
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. Don't
think you are going to relieve the
financial panic just because you got
paid off 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 &C
quaintance with him. We'll, take it
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
it 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 I'M
steadily to his car.
The next morning he felt decidedly
seedy. He needed many things, ex-
| ternally and internally, and he figura-
lively ctamped his bit as he thought
give him his money. He found Is
| 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 raped up Bayless.
Bayless came out looking clear-eyed
and healthy to an extent that was ir-
ritating to Parker in his nervous fraz-
zled-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
apologize tone, and despising himself
meanwhile. Bayless had caught the
oodr of the alcohol, however and as
| l,o ID Do
manner, assumed a belligerent atti-
tude. Il should think man like
you, Parker, would have better sense
than to be throwing your money
around like that" he said to him, Sc
verely.
well, I 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 hin his money. I'll
just take that money of mine now,
please" he continued. NO, you
won't" said Bayless, with patroniz-
ing air. IF l gave you this money
you'd GO right off and get tanked up
again. I'll wait few days and see
how you behave. then if you are good
maybe I'll let you have it."
Parker was raging inwardly, but he
tried to be calm and diplomatic He
explained to Bayless as calmly as he
could that he needed few things at
the druggists for his nerves, Turkish
bath and a general going-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 il you don't dig it up
right away I'll find way to make you
do it, and l don't want any lectures
about the evils of drink while you are
about it, 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 it
in his pocket and walked away with
out counting it.
That's the last time I'll ever try
to be friend to man." said
Bayless.