The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-01
Immediately apparent that II will exert

mo n yo' little all II yo' undertakes to
start II. Mo n likely the hull c'munity
u raise up In wrath an ride yo' outen
town onto a rail, not to make no men
ton o tar an feathers. If they don't
nobody else take no interest in the mat
ter I'll see to 1t my ownself whta IT..
did"
why such unseemly heat" said
Mr.. Knott. Surely man with altruistlc
aims deserves encouragement rather
than Incorporate opposition. As for
tarring and featherlns and riding on
rails, | refuse to believe that such bar
barism obtains in this era, even in Ar
Kansas City. | have no fear"
u don't give boot how attitude nous
yo be- retorted the old man. ct tell
yo' they won't be no gamblin' did in
this c'munity s longs | en- handle a
bunestarter It's immoral an II inter-
feres with the poker game"
But why interfere with a mans gam
bling when IL affects nobody but him
self?" asked Mr.. Knott. getting some
what warmed up himself Surely a
man has a right
"Yo' all has a right to go on any,
where's in the wilderness an gamble
with yo'self TIL he'll freezes over. but
yo' won't start no p'lajum game in
Arkansas City. Tho majesty o. the law
is gwine to he uphelt, an It's acln the
law TO- TO gamble"
81 fear there Is some misunderstand-
ing" persisted Mr.. Knott. on whom the
seductive influence Of the unaccustomed
stimulant he had absorbed was already
beginning to show itself ~ share with
you in a sentiment Of bitter hostility
to the vice of gambling In any form.
I'm fact one Of my principal aims IN
seeking 10 spread enlightenment over a
wicked world Is TO eradicate this par
ticular form Of evil. | have been given
to understand that a large part of the
community Is given over to the practice
Of playing cards Tor money. and II will
be n part Of the P1ll1diuns mission 20
bring about n sentiment which VIII dis
countenanCe such proceedings and rem
der them impraCticablc ~ continuance"
But the old mans patience was well
nigh exhausted He .istcred, II is true
to tho fluent speech Of the other with an
appearance Of at least partially under
standing Il. hut there was n dangerous
glitter In his eyes that seemed 10 fore
tell that he would not Listen much
longer
As LOT the others IN tne room, IL Was
evident that Mr.. Knots remarks were
hopelessly unintel.igihle to them. They
fingered in front Of the bar. seemingly
ready TO toin in any fcstlvity that might
he suggested. whether II should be in
tho form OF active hostility or further
llhation. but doubtful az to which Il
would he
MO n likely they'll he c'nsid'ahle mo-
misunderstanding II yo' all keeps on
waCC.n yo' chin" said the old man,
when the other paused. "Yo' language
pears to sound like mchbc it mought
have some kyind Of n meanln' to II. but
they is too doggone much on It. Pears
like IL "a bc mo- heComin' n yo' all was
to drink mo- an talk ! G."
so far as the drinking Is concerned"
said Mr.. Knott. whose spirits seemed 20
he rising under the eyhIarat on OF con-
trovcrsy. though there may have been
some other stimulation In addition to
that. II feel rather inclined to indulge
in some more peaches and honey. 1t Is
certainly most agreeable beverage
and | will be pleased II you gentlemen
will al join me n another round"
They did so with NJ display Of re-
luctancc. and he continued:
so far as the cstab,ishms mt of the
Palladium is concerned | confess my In
ability to comprehend the reason for
your prejudice against It. As said. one
of the evils which | propose to combat
by mnans of articles which Will appear
in its columns Is that OF gambling, 10
which you also appear 10 have n strong
antipathy. 1t seems to me that We
ought rather to work in harmony rather
than indulge in acrlmony."
"Oh. we'll" said the old man, who was
at no time disposed 10 quarrel with any
man who continued TO spend money az
his bar, "mebbe | didn't git yo' right
first off | kyind o. reckoned mebbe it
was somcpin' like faro or roulette.
18th amt nothin' Ike that gwine TO
be did In Arkansas city. but II yo' all
Is on'y gwine to pile up articles in col
umns an rattle 'em of ! dunno as they
IL any ptlc'lar 'bjections, on'y they amt
no greet demand To- raf'lcs round these
parts. Mostly they piers draw poker.
| reckon yo all amt liable To- 10 git
rich that away"
"You err strangely" said Mr. Knott
with great earncstness. 81 do not pro-
pose TO establish n rattle. but a journal
of enlightenment, as | have tried to ex
plain. in which | shall strenuously OPP
pose any and all forms or gambling.
whether it be rafies. or faro, or roulette,
or draw poker, or what not"
Draw poker amt gambln'," said the
old man sharply.
We'll, | admit that II is not neces-
sarily gambling" said Mr. Knott, smil-
ing pleasantly. Il learned the game in
college and have played IL quite fire.
quently. finding It a most agreeable pas
time. but we always played for buttons
TO which no monetary value attached,
whereas / am informed that the custom
hereabouts is to play for money"
Have another drink" said the old
man, w!nking at Blaisdell.
After they had had It, he continued:
"Sho' Is monstrous queer how
strangers misonderstands Arkansas city.
They is heap o. poker played here,
an the boys was just talltin' about
settin' into a game in tho back room
when yO' all done como in. But they
alays plays TO chips, same s yo' uns
played TO buttons.
! 81 done made house rule what they
I has to buy tho chips first on, count O.
some on 'em totin' em off, absent
! minded like, when the game breaks up,
/ hut | al'ays buys EN- back at the same