The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-07-13
# E Words 15c $ Farmer Classified Ads Phone 0S
My treat here," said he briefly. But objected Johnny.


 Put objected Johnny.
 ''It's privilege"
 eff you put it that way, thank you, sir," said Johnny in his grandest man. ner, and we walked out. Those buns made me tired" was his only comment to us. "Now let's go hunt up Talbot. I'll bet my extinct toothbrush that he's a we'll known citizen around here."
 Johnny's extinct toothbrush was per / fectly safe. The first man of whom we inquired told us where our friend lived and added the gratuitous infor- nation that the Ward block was near ing completion. We looked up the ho- tel, new one on Montgomery street. The clerk spoke with respect of Talbot and told us we would probably find him at one of the several places of business he mentiQned or at the Ward block. We thanked him and went di- rect to the Ward block first. All of us confessed to great desire to see that building.
 It was to be a three story brick struc- ture and was situated at one corner of the Plaza. We gazed upon 1t with ap- propriate awe. for we were accustomed to logs and canvas, and to some extent we were able to realize what imported bricks and the laying of them meant. The foreman told us that Talbot had gone out Mission way" with Sam Grammar and some others to look at some property and would not be back until late.
 Johnny and I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering about. Yank re- tired to the soft chairs of one of the numerous gambling places. His brok- en leg would not stand so much tramp ing
 In the evening, as Talbot had not yet returned, we wandered from one place of amusement to another. The gambling places were more numerous, more elaborate, more important than ever. Beside the usual rough looking miners and laborers, who were in the greatmajority, there were small groups of substantial, grave, important look ing men conferring. I noticed again the contrast with the mining camp gambling halls in the matter of noise. Here was heard but the clink of coin or the dull thud Of gold-dust, low murmur of conversation or an occa- sional full voiced exclamation.
 Johnny, who. could never resist the tables, was soon laying very small stakes on monte. After a time I tired of the close air and heavy smoke and slipped away. The lower part of the town was impossible on account of the mud, so made my way out along the edge of the hills. The moon was sail Ing overhead. The shadows of the hills hung deep in the hollows, and abroad a wide landscape slept in the unearthly radiance. A thousand thou sand cheerful frogs piped up chorus against the breeding moon stiffness they could not quite bkak. After the glare of the Arcade ahd the feverish hum and hustle of the busy new city this still peace was alrrcst overpower. ing. I felt, somehow that dared not give way to it all at once, but must admit it's influence trickle by trfckle until my spirit had become little ac- customed. Thus gradually dropped into reverie The toll, excitement strain, striving of the past eight or nine months fell swiftly into the back ground. I relaxed, and in the calm of the relaxation for the first time old memories found room.
 How long had tramped, lost in this dreaming. I did not know, but at some point I must have turned back, for came to somewhere near the end Of Sacramento street. if it could be said to have an end, to find the poon far up toward the zenith. A man over took me, walking rapidly. I capgh. { the gleam of watch chain, and on . sudden impulse I turned toward him.
 gsCan you tell me what time il is F I asked.
 The man extended his watch in the moonlight and silently pointed to its face with the muzzle of q revolver!
 Half past 12," said he.
 "Good Lordy' I cried, with . shout of laughter. "Do you take me for a robber, Talbot?" r..