Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-12-25

speak. but his emotions seemed to get
the better of him. for no words came
sigh that seemed to come from his very
heart
"Hic-youn hungry? Poor boy-hic-
have a turkey dinner on me. Darned
things too heavy to carry anyway"
He pushed the turkey into Spuds' hands
and without another word staggered off
down the Avenue. leaving my partner
standing in the middle of the pavement
well, what do you think of that?'' he
exclaimed. as he shouldered his way
through the laughing crowd and came
to a stop in front Of me. I've got many
but that's the first time guy ever hand
ed me a raw turkey. Whatll we do with
Trade it off for a beef stew yelled
some one in the crowd.
Il wish 1 could grumbled Spuds He
turned to me. Come on, let's move.
Wen get pinched here in a moment"
We pushed our way through the crowd
liantly lighted saloon on 10th street.
Spuds stopped.
i've got a scheme" he muttered
"Come in here. Well sell the turkey
He pushed open the swinging doors and
led the way into the barroom.
The place was crowded, and Spuds'
appearance with the turkey created q
small-sized sensation, and we'll 1T might.
that he had won his name through his
great love for boiled potatoes, was about
as large as little jeff In the comic series.
BY standing on his toes he might man
but the tape would be treating him gen.
erously at that. Spuds believed in eat
ing all that came his way, and doubtless
on many occasions he had overdone 1t.
for he was almost as wide around the
center as he was tall.
The gang in that barroom was In
great humOr- One look at Spuds face
and the riot began.
and they made for him. Spuds saw them
coming and made for the door. but his
escape was cut off by an elderly gentle
man wearing high hat and red neck
tie. Making the best of what looked to
be bad bargain. Spuds forced his way
through the crowd and up to the bar.
Now, that bar was several inches higher
than Spuds, even when he stood on the
brass rail that ran the length OF 1t. Real
izing that fact, he stretched his form to
the utmost and held the turkey aloft.
Hey; want to buy turkey" he
yelled.
The bartender paused in mixing a cock
tail and turned pale. He looked around
for the voice, but only the pathetic Tea
lures Of a murdered bird greeted his
eyes. He glared at the crowd.
What are you guys trying to do, MAKE
q fool ont of me?'' he demanded He
took another look at the head of the
turkey that wobbled on the top OF the
bar He reached over and brought MS
fist down with force that sent Spuos
and his bird to the fi io,.Ina - do" in
dignantly yelled Spuds. picking himself
I'D from the dirt.
The bartender leaned over the bar and.
for the first time. saw the owner OF the
voice His face was study for mo-
ment and then he laughed loudly.
''Well, I'll be hanged" he muttered.
II thought these guys were trying 10
josh me. I'm sorry knocked you down,
kid"
kid: who's a kid" Indignantly eX-
claimed Spuds Want to buy this tur-
key? I'll sell him to you for four bits.
Nav, I don't want turkey. II 1t
was a mocking bird you had now, 1
might talk to you.
Spuds grunted his disgust at the wit
and turned to leave.
Have a drink before you go?" in
yited the man with the red necktie.
Spuds drew his hand across his lips.
Don't care If I do he replied.
The first round was followed by an
other. and then another. 1t was not
long before Spuds was reciting 1.-The
Face on the Barroom Floor and telling
the man with the red necktie that he
wrote il himself when he first went Ion
the road" The old gentleman wept tears
of sympathy. I knew what was coming
and / was not surprised when the old
man dug down in his pocket and handed
over two silver dollars to Spuds. who in
turn passed him the turkey. Spuds was
lust starting I'm tale of how he got
expelled from Yale College when l grab
bed his arm and pulled him out on the
street.
The hands of the post Office clock
marked the hour of 10 as We turned
no no
fare was still scene of brilliancy. The