The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-02-18

or coming. one tnOTouSHLdre ledOS III
to another, and still into another in
such an array of crooks and turns that
one is forced to keep his eye on the
COMPASS in order to be able to success
fully find the way out of the maze.
Last night, with the heavens over
clouded, and with the street lights
throwing a fitful glare upon a limi-
ted territory, two business men. both
leading biclcles, wendell their way out
South Second street. After walking
several blocks, conversation turned
upon the street subject, and one of the
pedestrians remarked upon the addi-
tional length of First street since its
opening.
"But this isn't First street" returned
the other.
TT certainly u.s." announced the first
speaker. certain of his argument.
But | know different, and I'll make
a wager on it." So said the Second
street man as he glanced at the shin
ing steel rails of the car track to as
sure himself that he was right.
It'll call you; what shall the wager
be?'
"Oh. let's make it a bicycle lamp
then we won't have to walk home in
the ark.
Done"
Thereupon the Second street advo-
cate took advantage of the opportunity
to point out to his companion his err
ror. and bright and early this morning
the two were seen to emerge from BIZ
cycle store. one carrying in his hand
a new bicycle "glim," and the other
wearing a somewhat sorroWful look
you'll never catch me betting on the
Walla Walla streets again." was all he
could say.
Bill collectors-what an unwelcOme
sound it has to many a Walla Wal
Ian. struggling along with his daily
work. and every now and then inter-
rurted by the presence in his office of
one of those persistent callers. In view
of the fact that the gentlemen are in
category by themselves in this city and
about to be ostracized, the experience
of one member of the fraternity last
night will cause many past victim to
say, at serves them right" and to en-
joy a pleased feeling the next time one
of them shows up with slip of paper
the contents of which cannot be sent
through Uncle Sans mail department
on a postal card.
Like all of his fellows this partic-
ular collector was a persistent, never
wearying cuss. who would rather get
four bits from a person who had pre-
viously "stood him iff'' than to col
lect $50 from a fresh victim. He was
SO persistent, in fact, that his labors
were often confined to night attacks.
and this was the case when the bill
man propelled his wheeled steed to the
suburbs in search of the delin fluent
who had promised for % consecutive
times to settle the claim. Not knowing
just where to locate the man with
the money, the evil genius in charge
of the bills made inquiries, with the re-
suit that in half an hour he had spot
ted the "glim" from the kitchen win
dow
Cautiously he made his way in the
dark to the scene of the coming con-
fiict, knocked on the back door and was
admitted. The bill was presented, du-
ly paid, and the man of coin was shown
out through the front door. But one
can hardly imagine his surprise when
| on looking back, he discovered, tacksd
up against the wall, a large yellow
cloth bearing the words in bold black
letters:
This place is quarantined''
Right there one bill collector swore
that ne'er again would he present a
bill, and hied himself away to be fumi-
gated But he is peddling the bills
again today, even though he had an at
tack Of heart failure and lost whole
nights sleep wondering whether he
would survive his attack of a dread
disease.