The sun., 1910-01-02
THE OLD MAN MAKES
l NEW HOUSE RULES
After a Lesson In Improved
Forms Of Poker by the
New Preacher In Town.

ney btAi me Nncfe 3 a new clerical
gent poundin' the pulpit up 10 the Methody
church. said old man Greenhut one eve-
ming when he and his four cronies sat
smoking sociably in his little saloon
in Arkansas City. no outsiders having
appeared in the place during the day.
large winning the night before from
two overconfdent travellers had served
10 put them all In a good humor, and
though they were entirely prepared to
entertain any who might come in desiring
to play poker they were reconciled to-
'the prospect OF period Of rest There
fore il happened that not even Joe Bassett
had yet begun to complain Of the mac
tvity of life in the little river town, as
he was wont to do when there was a tenn
porary lack OF excitement.
did anybody hear what rart a. the
country he done come from7" continued
the old man after a pause that indicated
the slight concern felt by the others in
matter OF ecclesiastical interest only.
Sam Pesrssu. however. replied glumly
10 the question.
Mis- Pearsall done said she heerd
he was I'm Chicago" he said. Then
sFter a, brief silence he added ferventIy.
-namn. himl'
Looks like somepin didn't set well
onto your stomach. Sam" said Jake
Ninterbottom with quizzical smile.
Sure don't replied Pearsall. what
With elections up to the meetin' house
every Sunday f'r the preachers hire
an missionaries. an Bible s'cieties an
such. its more'n I en- do sometimes fer
IN hold out money f'r rum an tobacco,
more special sincet we've took to havin'
turns. but now this here gospel sharp
has got the women all hell bent on buyir'
new melodeon f'r the meetin' house,
an Mis- Pearsall she's bonin' me f'r
extry, money every Sunday. reck on
our home is liable for to be busted up
fore long
We lapsed into a moody silence.
Sounds kind o. curious f'r sky pilot
~ come f'm Chicago" said old man Green
hut. FIN what I done heerd o. that
place pears like he'd be more liable for
ITO he a short card player
-Mebbe he's both. said Jim BIaisdell
with grin. -Rec'lect that parson you
p'suaded into a game o. draw here a
couple o year ago? He cd deal of'n
the bottom consid' able slick
Il hain't forgot it, answ cred the old
man. -an' I've helt tol'abIe stifI Srudge
aR'in preachers ever since
With that the conversation ceased
for time and they all smoked on in
silence. Presently the old man opened
4 fresh box of cigars, and selecting
, the largest and blackest he could find
lighted il carefully and walked around
10 his favorite seat by the window. Put
ting his feet on the sill he smoke ed and
neditated. Finally he said:
Il reckon II mought be a good idee fer
In send word to this here preacher what
I'd more'n likely make a donation to,rds
that there melodeon fund o. his'n il he'd
come round here an git it. Mebbe you
ms ed coax him into the back room IL
=s ~ss 20 get him here oncet. 'Taint
likely he's got a hellova lot o money.
helm a Methody preacher. but it'd be
some satisfaction for TO git that away
I'm him.
This suggestion being favoFably re-
ceved Pearsall volunteered to get word
~ the clerical gentleman OF the old mans
liberal intent. and accordingly on the
following evening the Rev. Abner Slocum
appeared at the saloon.
Il hope" he said. after he had entered
and had carefully closed the door after
him. that IL will not be supposed that 1
am in the habit Of frequenting the haunts
~ sin. but trust shall never be found
wanting when duty calls. and am in
formed that I can further the good cause
hy coming here for a subscription to our
fund
You sure can" said old man Greenhut,
-on'y I don't take Il none too well rr
YOU to call this no ha'nt o. sin. House
rules is some strict here an don't never
Tow no whence onto the place
I'm sure that's commendable. said
Mr.. Slooum, but had understood that
in addition to selling intoxicating drinks
you frequently have card games here,
nlsved for money. Now the use Of liquor,
II not carried to excess. is not entirely
reprehensible. but
-Speakin' o that, dominic interrupted
old man Greenhut. i've got some good
nd corn whiskey here, an II you'll join
vs.
He paused with smile OF invitation.
and Mr.. Slooum, with a reciprooating
smile, said. Il see no good reason why I
should refuse. ! am accustomed to use
little stimulant, incidentally. and this
: s about the time when" And he
poured out three fingers.
-Bein' as YOU pear to be reasonable
bout some things said old man Green
hut after the company had assuaged
their thirst. -mebbe YOU mought give
us an idee O. how come you call draw
poker sinful. We uns look on II as edica-
tional"
Regarded in that light said the
preacher. Il must admit that draw poker
has excellent points. Like the use of
spirituous liquors, IL may be carried |
10 excess. and the sin lies in the excess. |
II was a large part OF my own education |
IN the theological school, whore some |
NJ the students improved upon the game |
until IL was a wonderful pastime.'
That there sounds interestin," ex- |
claimed Jim Blaisdell. IF there is any |
improvements bein' made into the game |
we uns sure would like to know about |
EN-
Strikes me it's kind o. blasphemious,
sad old man GreenhtIt, -for TO talk about |
improvin' what's ordained by Providence |
Tor to develop the best p'ints they is into
man"
His objection. however. was disre-
=. l. ~