The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-11

TO find amusement in observing II. This
amusement, be II said here and now.
seemed also to be experienced by sew
eral other gentlemen in the room who
had resumed their seats after joining in
the proceedings at the bar. and who
had listened in silence to the collouuy
until then.
81 reckon" said Jake wintcrbottom
gravely, how the gent amt to be hclt
responsible If his laigs be ruther lengthy.
Gawd made 'em hathaway he added
reverently. AN faint 'xactly fttin TO-
nobody to find fault with him long O.
him havin' 'em. Mought happen to
anybody"
I'm 'bleeged to 20 all. sah." said the
stranger. shake" And rising from
his chair, he preferred his hand to
Winterbottom. who grasped it cordially
and solemnly shook
The old mans rage ut beholding the
simple ceremony was delightful thing
to see. His complexion deepened from
dull crimson to a vivid purple. and
his frame quivered as he strove to find
utterance for the thoughts which
seemed to he choking him. Twice he
glanced at his bungstarter. as IL con-
templatinr its immediate use. but seem
ing to realize that u resort to physical
violence would only serve to enhance
the joy Of those who were gazing at
him. he struggled with his vocal cords
till finanv he got them working.
II don't give boot in hell how long
the gent's legs is" he calculated with
grea, violence. lie can't go but but
huttin' all round the room with 'em.
'Taint seemly an won't have it,"
Lets liquor said Jim Blasdell sud
deny.
He had found no less satisfaction
than the others had in watching the old
mans perturbation, but he was not
man to allow any amusement to inter-
fere with the pursuit of more important
affairs and he had not allowed his mind
To stray from the old mans original
suggestion of what might he done To
heguile the tedium of the strangers en-
forced sojourn in Arkansas City.
Accordingly. when. as happened i'm
mediatcly. impending hos,ilitics were
stayed in Difference to his own sugges-
ton. he took advantage Of the interval
of harmony to resume the subject Of
card playing.
They was mention made q spell ago"
he said. after the liquor had been com
an yo' all sho' did say but o. co'se
tn amt no 'bjections to a mans buttin'
IL he feels hathaway. but pears like tn
old mar was reasonable 'nough in astin'
70 n explanation. What Is 1t bout
poker what yo' all was buttin' about?"
"Nothln." said the stranger. longs
I'm asst about ii polite. I amt one 10
bc drove. Pears like that's easnable
too"
"Sho' is" admitted Blaisdcll quickly
enough to forestal the old mans evil
dent intention of expressing himself
further. "Bein's how tn amt nobody
fo'cin' yo' all now mehbc yo' wouldn't
mind sayin' what yo' objections is to a
game"
II amt got no ELECTIONS whatever Ia
game said the stranger. "Th' amt
nobody relishes draw poker mo- n me.
bn'y thing is what | aln't noways hasty
'bou; settin' into settin' 'thouten I'm
mo- r less 'quaintcd with them that's
playin'. | reckon that's reasonable too.
Pears like a mans some brash TO
To- play with strangers 'thouten he's n
pfessiona an ] don't make no p'tcn-
sions to be!n' one. My games good
enough to play round home, but 'tain't
no camp meetin' game
"Th' amt no Professionals lowed into
the game in the back ROOM" declared
the old man with emphasis. NOR nobody
else thouten he's done been intcrJuCcd
proper. The boys is some p'ticlar same
as yo' all is bout playln with strangers.
cd nterjuce yo' all easy enough If |
kuowed yo name" he added with just
the hint Of a suggestion in his tone.
My name is smith John Smith.
when I'm trav'lin'. but--"said the
stranger.
"Th' amt no but about IT," Interrupted
the old man hastily. one names as
good as another to travel with. This
yer's Toe Bassett. He's the Sheriff
hereabouts an he sets in to keep the
game regular. An these yer other gents
is Jake Winterbottom an Jim Blaisdel
an Sam Pearsall, all on 'em citizens o
the place. Gents, this is Mr.. Smith,
John smith
one by one. as their names were
called the four citizens shook hands
cordially with Mr.. Smith, whose i'll de-
fined suspicion seemed to have dIsap-
peared as his jag grew more pronounced,
and after the party had done justice TO
the old mans hospitality Pearsall re-
marked in an offhand way:
IT reckon we mought as we'll postpone
these yer festivities to the back room.
Pears like we uns d ought 70 to do
somepin' TO- To make it pleasant 70 Mr..
Smith. John Smith. while he's into our
midst"
"Sho' is handsome O yo' all TO to
| make the s'gestion," said the stranger,
who seemed to enjoy the hearty manner
in which he had been welcomed into the
companionship Of SO congenial group.
But" he added. doubtfully.
9TH amt no 'casion To- yo' all TO but
| no mo-" interrupted Joe Rassett with a
mixture Of official authority and nom
official Impotence. "Bein's Greenlaw Is
done made we uns 'quainted, regular, tn
amt no disposition to look on yo' all as
| a outsider. Yo' Is welcome to play
"Oh, very WELL" said the stranger. III
that's the way yo' look at 1t, don't see
no objections to me goin' in with yo.'
sho' does admire to see poker played"
Being arrived at the card table, he
| took chair when the others seated
themselves in readiness for the game,
though he did not Immediately take his
position, sitting a little back from the
| circle. but showing much interest in the