The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1911-04-19
WHERE HE
LEARNED 1T
BY LOUISE B. CUMMINGS
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

This is story of Kentucky nearly
century ago.
One day young man dressed not
In the buckskin or linsey woolsey OF
the times. but In a costume that
smacked rather Of Europe than Amer
lea. alighted from the coach at tav-
ern and called for supper and room.
1t was at the end of the stage route.
and the young man was obliged to
proceed to his bone farther south on
horseback. This was tue reason for
his remaining overnight. There was
not much amusement to be found In
such place, and aft a supper, hear
ing the strains Of violin In a saloon
across the way, he concluded to walk
over and see what was going on. At
one end of the room was bar, and
at the other was the fiddler, who, sit
ting on a platform Of boards set on
barrels. was playing The Arkansaw
1EdVeleTs uSAt was ShcAJ NVA
nected with the music, which the I'D
dler told. every now and again stop
ping to go on with the tune. AT ia
bes scattered here and there were
men. most Of them In hunting cos
tunes, playing cards.
AT the entrance of young man in
civilized dress every one looked up.
The newcomer. being embarrassed.
was about to retreat when one of the
card players called out:
Don't go. younker. Yo're the pur-
test thing we've ever seen in these
parts. Let's have look at them
clothes"
Those clothes" said the stranger.
came from long way off. As soon
as get settled at home I'll probably
go in for the costume of the country"
"whar did 30 ZONE from, anyway
1--WE been to Germany"
Germany exclaimed every one in
the room. They bad never before
heard Of any one who talked pure
American coming from across the At
lantic.
what war yo' dom thar? asked
one.
studying"
did you go from hyar?"
ayes. My father lives In the blue
grass region. My name is Morgan"
IAN right. sonny. If yo' hail from
old Kaintuck yo're all right. no mat
ter what kind Of rig yo' got on. My
names Speers. Step up and have
somep'n.'
4 don't drink anything except beer.
reckon / can't get that here"
Beer. No. We don't drink nothin'
but pure Kaintuck corn juice down
hyar Step up and have some O that"
Thank you: don't drink whisky
Don't know how. ehi Well. Wen
teach yo'."
"You can't teach me, for I won't
learn"
The speaker reached down between
bis shoulder blades and drew forth a
bowie knife a foot long and began 10
poke the young man with its point to.
ward the bar. Several Of the others
protested that the young man should
not be forced TO drink what he didn't
wish to drink. Others maintained that
If there was 10 be fight be should be
furnished with arms to defend himself.
us 1t drink or flght?" asked the man
with the knife.
TT isn't drink" said the other reso-
lutely.
well then. It's fight What weapons
do you llke?"
'T'd as soon have knife like the one
you're fourishing as anything. But
don't wish TO fight. I'd much prefer to
go over TO the tavern and let you drink
all the whisky you like"
"Give him bowler cried his enemy
A man in the crowd handed Morgan
a knife OF the exact length OF that OF
bis antagonist, and he had no sooner
got his fingers about its handle than
his enemy made dash for him with
his knife raised high in the air The
youngster caught 1t on his own knife,
making a cash in his enemy's hand
from which dripped the red blood,
Speers unlocked his knife and made an
under pass. Again the weapon was
caught. and a fresh stream ran from
its owners hand. Then followed a
series of passes by. Speers. Morgan