The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-25
But Lacks Proper Tcmpera-
ment. Though He shows
His skill.
TAKES TOO LONG A CHANCE
' And Leaves Greenlaw Doubtful
as to Whether He Is
Real Sport or Not.


afohand whether a man Is "a reel spot
or whether he's Just n plain, ornery
piker.' said odd man Greenlaw, but it'll
turn out some frequent how he il,
even when II seems mo- r less doubtful
fret off.
'rhey is times yo'l reckon one way,
an TIL is times when yo reckon T.
other, an even ut that it's liable 70
to prove up how yo' done been mis-
token, right I'm the start Mebbe he is
one. ater all. even when it don't seem
80 most. 'Pearances is deceptious, as
the Good Book says"
II reckon man amt no gre't of IA
spot II he won't fight when he's reey
'bleeged to-" remarked Joe Bassett with
the air of one fully qualified TO judge.
We'll, that's "A good rule 70 Ia go by.
gently speakin'," said the old man with
judicial elaboration, but even at that
they is RECEPTIONS. They is u time TO
fishtin' an they is IA time To- takn'
water, as the Good Book says. Some
ttmes It's thataway.'
II never seen it, retorted Bassett
with much contempt. but no said no
more.
way l look at it," observed Sam
ject inconsequential. sis how man
can't be no greet of a spot IL he amt
got no money"
That's good way, too" said the old
man, but even at that. man is
liable 70 to go broke sometimes. Mought
O. been tahin' a chanst ag'in Il straight
flush with fo's. Mo- of a spot what he
was, the mo liable he'd be TO to go
broke temporarious. Couldn't keep no
SIGH OF man broke permanent"
9Th amt no use belly achin' over
IT," exclaimed Jim Blaisdell, impatiently.
"IIe done said his own self how lie
gently played poker with n limit
That's So" admitted old man Green
law. II done fogot that Pears like
tn amt no greet hopes, but gently tn
amt aiays no tclln'."
They were talking of the long legged
man No one knew who he was or
whore he had gone. FOR his departure
from Arkansas city had been as quiet
ps was his arrival. hut one day while
~ Nts In town he had dropped In al
t'n u.i waus saloon and there bad been
do'r.S
Drufaar..y hiS visit would have been
forgotten after a brief interval, but as II
hsuy,urd no other stranger had been
p ,.lau~a- city since then. Tho floods
w.. rp. tv.vcl was generally suspended
pul business was Corre>pondingly bad.
-r. lawns nothing else whatever 10
tolls about. the party had fallen TO dis
,u.. nE 'h, probability ~ his coming
harN. - ~ had promised 10 do.
THE prevailing opinion was that he
,w"uld not come. for he had failed 10
ms'o q favorable impression. First, his
- N-r, undoubtedly very long. Sec
oulh. h, had fa!l,d otherwisr To- meas
we NJ tu the accepted standards Il the
place. aud IL was felt that this dlscrep-
aucy was against him. Even Jake Win
terbuttU1, though usually tolerant OF
most n ". said:
"pc...s like he done behaved like he
want 'utirely Rrowod mp only IN his
'aigs"
nd man Greenaw, however, WAS
loath to overlook even a doubtful pros
pect OF profit and he had been trying
70 persuade himself and the others that
the long legged man would appear again
among them. There would be no ques-
ton about his being welcomed If he
should come for the fact Of his return
ine would he presumpt!Vc evidence Of
his having money. They We're confident
on that point. for he had been made TO
realize thoroughly when he was there
that there was no possible use in his
visiting the saloon without money and
had himself announced that when he
SHOULD come back he would be well
heelel.
Moreover, in the case OF his return
there was an excellent prospect Of en-
gaglng him in game of draw poker,
for he had frankly avowed on his pre-
vous visit that he admired to play"
and was only kept from joining in the
game that was started for his benefit
by the fact OF his being broke. Bassett
had promptly offered To fight him when
ne made the avoWal, seeing that there
4 was no other amusement available I'M
der the circumstances, but the long
legged man had declined that invitation
also.
81 amt got no p'tic'lar relish TO fight
in 'thouten it's mo- called TO. Pears
like I'm built 70 runnin' bcttcr'n ! be
TO- fightin' anyway" he had said, with
humorous glance at his own lower
parts. III any o yo' uns feels like
tryin "A foot race, ] wouldn't mind
entrin' that, but | amt got nothin' Ia
bet"
No one cared 10 accept this challenge
aud ne had departed after promising
10 make another call when he should
get some money that he expected Ia
receive shortly, 80 slsHl Hlosbt'l
would not nave been considered except
in, Tor the fact already noted, that no
other was in sight.
while they Mere still discussing IT,
Mr.. owen Pepper entered tile saloon
nnd after the usual opening ceremony
took q seat and the old man, after put
ting away the glasses, questioned him.
lis go all done saw anythin of a
man what was c'nsidable longer n
usual into his aigs?' he asked.
"oh. ! don't know said Mr.. Pepper
"Thcy Is c'nsidablc many what's that
away, but | did see one what mought
- been him. Feared like his laigs
must "a been Ongody long, on'y
never seen EN- long o. both on 'em
hein under water, They was skin
had done been upset on the St Francis
when We was comm down, and peared
like they was all droWnded, ony one
an he was walkn' also. Must a beer
long legged, bein's twas c'nsidabls
deep whereabouts"
"Did no git out safe?" asked Pear
I call, -
"nh I don't Lppu," said Mr. BeDDer