The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-01
pELEG KNOTT SIPS
; PEACHES AND HONEY
Thereby Ingratiating Himself
with Old Man Grccnlaw
and His Friends.
nv DAVID A. CURTIS.

The arrival OF a stranger In Arkansas
City at any time during the period in
which old man Grconaw conducted the
principal saloon in tho town. which sa-
loon was also the principal place Of
resort there for any and all who were
In search OF the only available means
OF beguiling the tcdium of existence in
that part OF the world, was always a
matter OF interest in the community.
Not without reason, IL was reckonod
noteworthy at least that any stranger
should esteem 1t worth while to stop
there AT all
II he stayed longer than just enough
time TO avail himself OF the first OPP
portunity to escape, it was considered
proper n not actually ncco. sary to IN
ouire into his mental condition. That
any person should propose TO remain
indefinitely was almost unbelievable.
Yet such n thing did actually happen
once. A man 90, of one of the river
packets that stopped at Arkansas City
at more or less irregular intervals and
devoted himself for three consecutive
days to a careful Investigation OF the
place. asking all sorts NJ questions Of
everybody no saw. much to the hewil-
btlUlfHls fUu IDN anu lntn SOM wnHt
to tho indignation. OF those who We're
questioned.
His method Of obtaining Information
was strange to- them. and not under
landing II they were inclined to re-
sent It. The common procedure in Ar
kansas City when It happened that any
one was DESTROYS Of knowing anything
vas 20 select some comfortable spot
and sit down there.
In the course Of time IL was likely
that his powers Of observation would
enable him to see for himself whatever
81 was that he desired to know. The
result would BE- that he would ACQUIRE
the knowledge he desired with mini
mum OF effort on his own part and with
out Inconvenience to others Or II he
failed to see what he was looking for,
that was taken rs presumptlvc evidence
OF It's non existence. Unnecessary exer-
ton was thus avoided, and the avoid
ance of eSertlon was esteemed the most
desirable pursuit to which an lntelli-
gent man could devote himself
This particular stranger was not de-
void Of Intelligence. as appeared from
the nature Of the queries he propounded.
though his understanding wds mani
fcstly perverted. and I'm the course OF
the three days mentioned the relief was
established among the citizens Of the
place that they had a mailman among
them. There was no indication. how
ever. NJ his being otherwise tina harm
less. and they settled themselves down
10 a policy of watchful waiting holding
that Il would he time enough to adopt
measures OF safety after he sh -uld havo
done some actual and serious damage
Tho matter had been discussed in old
man Greenlaw's saloon before no made
his appearance there. FOR he had gath
cred the misinformation he had oh
talned here and there without going d.
rect to tho ntainhead OF It in tho first
place. as he would have done had he
been more conversant with the customs
OF that part OF the country.
II reckon he's bughousc. all right"
said tho old man AN mo- n likely he's
done bust loose firm some 'syum some
res. They'll he reward offered 10 him
an he en- he took up with some profit
when that's did. n he was 10 he put
in the calaboose now he'd or'y be a
Expense. helr's he'd have to he fed"
Then the stranger came in. Looking
about with much interest at the room
and It's occupants he stepped up. with
nervous quiCkneSs to the bar.
IT gather from appearances. he said
"that this Is an emporium for the dis
pensing Of various potable-, and in that
case have great pleasure In extending
an invitation to those present to Join mo
IN partaklnG Of refreshment, bus would
like II 10 be understood that | do So
without prejudice to my owh temper
sncc principles. ] partake OF nothing
more potent than ginger pop myself. but
though I am opposed to the uso Of spir-
ituous liquors ] flatter myself that am
not fanatical on the subject, and I dc
not presume to dictate to another in his
choice OF beverages"
This yer's public house II that's
what yo' mean" said the old man. taxi
ing his place behind the bar IAN | sells
all kyind. o. drinks. but I don't keen
nothin' hut whiskey. bcin's that's all rs
called To-, not thouten yo' all piers
peach and honey. I'VE got some o. that
but rs two bits a drink"
81 am not familiar with peaches and
honey In tho form OF a beverage" said
tho stranger, but II sounds pleasing
and innocuous, and a. pecuniary con.
alterations are secondary on this occa-
sion think I will try II. OF course
you gentlemen will all follow your In
dividual preference as to what you viii
take. My object IN coming among you
il to mako your acquaintance, and -
proud 20 know yo'. Who be YOU
broke in the old man, who had tho APP
pearanoe OF ono whose senslbilities are
Jared by another's loquacity.
my name Is Knott Peleg Knott,
said the stranger. Il am a graduate
Of Wesleyan and I also have n knowl-
edge OF the printing trade. Being i'm
bued with altruistic ideals, ! have con
ceived the ambition to establish pal
ladium Of educational thought for thu
bettermont OF tho human race and hav,
determined to do 50 In whatever locality
seems TO require the uplifting infu
ences OF such an institution most.
have travelled extensively In search o
some such place and It seems TO me
that I have found II in Arkansas City
Do YOU not agree with me?"
well, I dunno" said the old man
They is sev'ral pint. 10 bc Considered
First on, II yo' name is not PeleG Knott
wotinell is III"
Knot with a X" explained thu
Stranger. "pcleg Knott"
-o-rt make no difference IL they il
q X into it or not" said the old mar