The Washington herald., 1915-11-07
BEST-SELLER

what did it for, and all about my salary and
prospects. and explained to him my little code
Of Eving-to be always decent and right In
your home town; and when you're on the road.
never take more than four glasses of beer a
day or play higher than twenty-fve-cent
limit At firstI thought he was going to throw
me out of the window. but | kept on talking.
Pretty soon got chance to tell him that
story about the Western Congressman who had
lost his pocketbook and the grass widow-you
remember that story. Well, that got him to
laughing, and III bet that was the first laugh
those ancestors and horsehair sofas had heard
In many day.
We talked two hours told him every
thing knew; and then he began to ask ques-
tons. and told him the rest All asked of
him was to give me chance If couldn't
make hit with the little lady, Id clear out.
and not bother any more At last he says:
There was Sir Courtenay Pescud in the
time of Charles |. if remember rightly
IF there was says |. he can't claim kin
with our bunch. We've always lived in and
around Pittsburgh. I've got an uncle in the
real estate business: and one in trouble some
where out In Kansas. You can inquire about
any of the rest of us from anybody In old
Smoky Town, and get satisfactory replies. Did
you ever run across that story about the captain
of the whaler who tried to make sailor say
his prayers?' says l.
1t occurs to me that have never been so
fortunate. says the colonel.
so tod it to him. laugh was wishing
to myself that he was customer What
bill of glass Id sell him! And then he says:
The relating of anecdotes and humorous
occurrences has always seemed to me, Mr..
Peseud, to be a particularly agreeable way of
promoting and perpetuating amenities between
friends. With your permission. | will relate
to you fox-hunting story with which | was
personally connected. and which may furnish
you some amusement.
so he tells it. 1t takes forty minutes by
the watch. Did iaugh9 Well, say! When
got my face straight he calls in old Pete. the
superannuated darky. and sends him down to
the hotel to bring up my valise. 1t was Elm
croft for me while was in the town.
Two evenings later got chance to speak
a word with Miss Jessie alone on the porch
while the colonel was thinking up another story.
It's going to be fine evening. says |.
He's coming. says she. He's going to
tell you. this time. the story about the old
negro and the green watemelons 1t always
comes after the one about the Yankees and the
game rooster There was another time,' she
goes on, that you nearly got left-it was at
Pulaski City
Yes says |. I remember My foot slipped
as | was jumping on the step. and | nearly
tumbled off,
I know says she. And II was
afraid you had. John A. was afraid you had
And then she skips into the house through
one of the big windows
".
"Coketown" droned the porter. making his
way through the slowing car.
Pescud gathered his hat and baggage with
the leisurely promptness of an old traveller.
Il married her year ago" said John. 81
told You | built house In the East End. The
belted-l mean the colonel-is there. too. |
find him waiting at the gate whenever get
back from trip to hear any new story | might
have picked up on the road
glanced out of the window Coketown
was nothing more than ragged hillside dotted
with score of black dismal huts propped up
against dreary mounds of Stag and clinkers
1t rained in sIanting torrents. too. and the rils
foamed and splashed down through the black
mud to the railroad tracks.
You won't sell much plate-glass here.
John" said l. Why do you get off at this
end-o -the-world?"
Why" said Pescud. the other day took
Jessie for little trip to Philadelphia. and COM
ing back she thought she saw some petunias in
a pot in one of those windows over there just
Ike some she used to raise down in the old
Virginia home So thought Id drop off here
for the night, and see if could dig up some
of the cuttings or blossoms for her, Here we
are. Goodnight. old man. gave you the
address. Come out and see us when you have
time