The Washington herald., 1915-10-03
Copyright. l9l5.)

right near where old Zeke
Scraggs held out-him and his wife.
They were queer pair of mates, but
satisfactory to each other in the high
est degree, and l think that's as far
as marriage concerns most people.
The last thing any one ought to do
is to get married to please the neigh
borhood. Anyhow, it amt to be
done.
Foster, the intellectual giant of our
place, said that Scraggsy's personal
appearance always made him think of
the rawlings of John McCullogh, done
on secondhand phonograph
Scraggs was there with the brains
and the muscle, if his looks didn't
look we'll. Mrs. Scraggs was pretty
and dear little critter. if she was shy
on think. Besides, as l say, it was
strictly their business and they got
along fine until one of the Missus'
female relatives come out to call
We got news this way.
Twas evening and in his guarded
tent this particular Turk wasn't
dreaming about anything, when the
door opens and in drifts E. C. W.
Scraggs bearing the general appear
ance of a Swede hired mans hard
luck story-something special, even
for Zeke-and dark shadder fell all
over ev'rything, dimrning the lights,
the moment he put foot inside.
He sot down with no remarks, and
continued so for a space of time. Zeke
was one of the kind that is allowed.
Another feller would get a call, but
with him, everybody said, "Oh. that's
just his way" and let her flicker at
that
At last, with no warning, he pulls
book from his pocket, and puts on
his specks.
Il am going to read you some
po'try," says he.
whats that" inquiries the Kid.
a." says Scraggs, "am a-goin' to
read you some po'try."
Me-" says the Kid. "No. you amt,
too" and he starts for the door.
You set quiet" says Scraggs, "and
you'll hear something to yore ad-
vantage Everybuddy set?"
Let her slide, if so it must be-"
sighs Old Windy. 81 amt a-crossin'
ery man in ther performance of his
juty."
Zeke held up his hand for peace
and silence: Friends, Romans, Hay
lseedsw says he, lend me some OF
your ears! This here diffusion was
writ by lady to party by the name
of Jove In it she describes her SEN
timents. Why l turn it over to you
will be explained-hearken"
Memories of the time he was the
tallest soldier in the whole of Julius
Caesars army, back a. the old Royal
Theater at St. Looey, come over
Scraggs, and he just bellered this like
a bull:
oh, Jove! Hurl thy fiery mountain
full and fair
Into the quivering heat abysses of
the Sun!
Stab through and through the palper-
tating mass
With loorid lightnin's from thy orful
hand,
And as fierce kames fare forth in
fury wild
Feel full that all thy force cannot ere
forego
A tempest OF such heat as that which
burns >.
Within this passhun Dustin heart of
mine"
Say" says the Kid, mouth, ears
and eyes open, that's durn good
there's some tabasco to that
Like it?" says Scraggs, surprised,
looking around the bullpen. How
does it hit you, Red"
WELL" l said, not wanting to get
in too deep, she tried for something,
anyhow. Most of these darn poets
write about the poorest go known.
Here see paper the other day with
a picture OF a man with a complete
set OF whiskers, and pome by the
same man. That pome wound Up
"'Till mouse, with bite.
Put an end, in despite.
To my pride and delight
My canary!
That kind OF thing lets me out.
hate canaries. l never see one in my !
life outside a barber shop"
That's so!" says Windy. "Allus
YOU find canaries inhabitin' barber
shops. There's reason for it"
Whats the reason?" says the Kid.
Il be darned if I know" says
Windy; but I'm with Red on this
pome act. The lady got right up .on
her tippy-toes and threw the English
language as far as she could. ] amt |
pretendin' l know what'it's about, and
| don't care. 1t sounds like the real
thing"
"Wellw says Scruggs and wipes his
specks. Il honest didn't know what |