The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-29

liable to win yo' back teeth n go bets |
on the guards he deals, an then they Is !
overgrown brute they call Bassett |
what en- HEX any To- men in the state II |
he gets a chanst at 'em. On'y way to |
git the best o him IL to take him by |
s'prise some way, an that can't he did |
easy.
But that Amt all. The hull on EN-
IL huskies: but the old man 1lsselt Is the |
wust o. the lot. He don't never set in At
the game his own self but he al'ays
stands by with bung starter, an when
no gifts that goin' no sho' is q holy tor
ror"
Listens good to me-" said Mr.. Jones.
calmly. II reckon I'll take a chanst."
He was an Unconditional man. 60 far as
hi. manner could he taken a. indicative
Of his character, but he seemed to crave
excitement, Pears Ike they'd ought
70 to be some fun into Il. anyway"
"Sho is" said one Eye. heartily.
only question Is whether II d be 20
all or them what d have IT,"
"Mebbe So" said MFR. Jones, but mo-
n likely I'll git some on It. 7 kyind o.
'njoy tskin the short end OF a bet occa-
sional."
you'll eit It," said One Eye. dryly.
nut " WAS 10 II dnu lilcN ulun
know nothin' about who ] was I
reckon I'd ptend what ! want no
spot an didn't know nothn' about tho
the game. Yo' all mought fool en-
some To- a start, hathaway"
Mr.. lone. considered This idea q good
one a. he thought IL over and shaped
his course in accordance with It: so
when he appeared IN Arkansas City. he
carefully refrained from any mention OF
bis purpose in going there. When II
was suggested to him, as wa. TO be ex
pected in the natural course OF events
that would be. that there was game
on in the neiyhborhood he showed In
difference and shame,essly declared
| that ne never played poker.
Moreover he declined several invita-
lions to drink. knowing that he would
thereby call further attention 70 him
| self as a curiosity. And he persisted In
| this Ens OF conduct for some days,
thereby making II clear 10 old man
Greenlaw and his cronies that It would
! he necessary 10 resort TO extreme meas
ures. There had been no other strangers
| in Arkansas City for some little time,
and In consequence the main industry
OF the place was languishing.
| When Bassett and his followers en-
tered the barroom Of the tavern they
! found the landlord standing behind the
| bar regarding the other inmates Of the
room with a hopeless expression. There
were four or Ave OF them. all smoking
| diligently, but OF them all Mr.. Jones
was the only one who might reasonably
| be supposed to have money. and he
seemed indsposed 10 put It to any nm
Z Jfa, w "a
an air Of gloom pervading the room.
With the entrance Of the newcomers
this gloom vanished and the landlord
got busy in anticipation. Hardly had
he got bottle on the har when Pas-
sett said, Lets liquor"
The response was immediate and
hearty. With one exception all those
in the room gathered in front Of the
bar, but Mr.. Jones continued to busy
himself with his pipe in apparent !g-
norance Of the prevailing custom.
Noting this Bassett addressed hin,
directly.
81 said Lets liquor" he remarked
~ heerd yo'." said Mr.. Jones
Zine us said Bassett somewhat
peremptorily.
Much obleeged. but don't drink"
said Mr.. Jones courteousy enough bu,
lndTercntly wlthal.
"Yo' viii this time" said Basset,
sterny.
Il reckon not" said Mr. Jones
II reckon yes" rctorted Ra->ett
They cant nobody pass no Insult onto
me 'thou,en he's p'pared 20 fight"
"Oh. very well" said Mr.. Jones "Tt
that's the way 20 all takes It. I'll tine
yo' To- once; don't rsnlv fight no.
body afo' dinner. not 'thouten I'm fo'cet
to-"
And he too stepped UP 20 tho bar
but BaSsett showed disappointment
Tho easy accomplishment % tho rca
purpose In hand while It was satisfac.
tory I'm a way, was not wha, he hac
secretly hoped FOR
, we en- have dinner right away" h.
suggested; but MIR Jones said. 81 ain
hungry right now
Being at loss for a reioinder to this
Bassett took his drink rather sulkilS
= and settled the bill After which LAX,
, Win:crbottom called Immediately 10,
: another round.
BE l s'posod to drink ag'in?" asked
Mr.. Jones, apparently somewhat sur
prsed
l'NhbIl w WILL f1lN w Antrrnpl
tom with a shade of meaning
"Oh. very We'll" said Mr. Jones. an,
he took his second drink. seeming T.
relish II more than the first. And whri
Baisdcll suggested another he tool
that without comment. More than that
after Pearsall had had his ,urn he him
self proposed another.
IT mought as well be drunk a. tn
: way I am" he said a. II careless o
consequences and the festivities con
tinued until II was considered by thos
: who were watching him closely that n
, was sufficiently drunk to make II ad
visable TO 20 further.
. Accordingly when in rotation Win
terbottom had an opportunity TO speal
. again he said. TN ain't no use spend
| IN all the money they Ia into one place
, ] motion We goes some'res else
! Mr. Jones said he would go anywhere
and the entire party barring the land
g lord, stepped over 10 old man Green
. laws place. Only i've OF them entered
20 however. the others seeming to realiZ
that they would not ne welcome.
For one who was taken entirely b,
> surprise old m N Greenlaw behave
70 with remarkable sclf-pOssession. No