Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-10-13

"Pardner." says, "sure it's a nice
day"
plnkish haired young man In correct
hunting costume. suuntered over to
the fire to light cigarette and re-
marked carelessly to Bud:
Nice night!r'
why, yes" said Bud. las nice as
any night could be that amt received
the Broadway stamp Of approval.
How did I know he was from New
York? Well. figured 1t out rs soon
as he sprung those two words Oh Inc.
I was In New York myself couple o!
years ago, and | noticed some Of the
earmarks and hoof tracks Of the Ran
cho Manhattan"
Found New York rather different
from the Panhandle. didn't you. Bud?"
asked one Of the hunters.
Cant say that did answered
Bud. Anyways. not more than some
The main trail in that town. which
they call Broadway. is plenty travelled
but they're about the same brand OF
bipeds that tramp around in Chey-
enne and Amarillo. At first was sort
of ratified By the crowds. but ! soon
says to myself. Here. now. Bud
they're just plain folks like you and
Geronimo and Grover Cleveland and
the Watson boys. so don't get all
clustered up with CONSERVATION under
your saddle blanket. and then ! feels
calm and peaceful. like was back In
the nation again ut a ghost dance or n
green corn powwow.
I'D been saving up for year to give
this New York whirl. knew man
named Summers that lived there. but
| couldn't find him. so played lone
hand ut enjoying the intoxicating pleas
ures Of the corn fed metropolis.
FOR awhile was so frivolous and
Iocoed by the electric lights and the
noises Of the monographs and the sec
ond story railroads that forgot one of
tie crying needs Of my western system
of natural requirements. l never was
no hand to deny myself the pleasures
Of sociable vocal intercourse with
friends and strangers. Out in'the terri
tories when l meet man never saw
before. inside Of nine minutes l know
his income, religion. size Of collar and
his wife's TEMPER and how much he
pays for clothes. alimony and chewing
tobacco. It's a gift with me not to be
penurious with my conversation.
But this here New York was inau
gurated on the idea Of abstemiousness
In regard to the parts Of speech. At the
end Of three weeks nobody In the city
had fred even blank syllable in my
direction except the waiter In the grub
emporium where l fed. And as his out
pourings Of syntax wasn't nothing but
plagiarisms from the bill of fare. he
never satisfied my warnings, which
was to have somebody hit. II stood
next to a man at bar he'd edge of
and give q Baldwin-Ziegler look rs II
he suspected me Of having the north
pole concealed on my person. began
to wish that I'd gone to Abilene or
Waco for my pascado, for the mayor Of
them places will drink with you. and
the first citizen you meet will tell you
his middle name and ask you to take Il
chance In rattle for music box.
well. one day when l was particu-
lar hankering for to be gregarious with
something more loquacious than a lamp
post fellow In caffy says to me,
'ays he:
"'Nice day"
HE was a kind Of q manager Of the
place. and reckon he'd seen me In
there a good many times. He had a
lace like a fish and an eye like Judas.
but | got up and put one arm around
his neck.
"'Pardner.' l says. sure it's a nice
day. You're the first gentleman in all
New York to observe that the intrica-
lies Of human speech might not be al
together wasted on William Kings
bury But don't you think. says L.
that twas a little cool early In the
morning and amt there feeling Of
rain In the air tonight? But along
about noon 1t sure was gallupsious
weather. How's all up to the house?
You doing right well with the catfy
nowT
"Well, sir, that galoot just turns his
back and walks off stir, without
word. after all my trying TO be agree
able. l didn't know what to make Of
1t. That night finds a note from
Summers. who'd been away from town.
giving the address Of his camp. goes
up to his house and has good. old
time talk with his folks. And l tells
Summers about the actions of this
coyote In the caffy and desires inter
probation.
"'Oh. says Summers. he wasn't In
tending to strike up a conversation
with you. That's just the New York
style. He'd seen you was regular
customer, and he spoke word or two
Just to show you he appreciated your
custom. You oughtnt to nave follow
ed it up. That's about as far as We
care to 60 with II stranger. 4 word or
80 about the weather may be ventured.
but we don't generally make 1t the ba-
sis Of an acquaintance.
"'Billy.' says l. the weather and Its
ramifcations Is a solemn subject with
me. MeteOrology is one Of my sore
points. No man can open up the ques.
ton Of temperature or humidity or the
glad sunshine with me and then turn
tail on 1t without It's leading to fall
ing barometer I'm going down to see
that man again and give him lesson
In the art Of continuous conversation.
You say New York etiquette allows
him two words and no answer. Well,