The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-10-22
Severely JoIted in Game at
Arkansas City, but is Not
Convinced.
By David A. Curtis.

some what amt"
soh, don't know" murmured Mr..
Owen Pepper, who was looking on
with a foolish smile. II reckon tn old
man d argify onto any on EN- IL they
was to be rose by anybody else"
This remark was not intended for
{ the old mans ears and it did not reach
them. II was heard, however. by al
/ few husky gentlemen who. together
with Mr.. Pepper. were looking with
much interest at the old man and his
customer, and they seemed to be some
what amused by 1t. though they were
careful to repress all appearance of
mirth. 1t was as II they looked upon
It as a gibe inspired by the personal
characteristics OF the old man rather
than contribution to the discussion
he was engaged in.
Dollar Drink Too High.
~ certainly have no desire 10 enter
into any argument with you" said the
customer, who was a scholarly looking
man Of somewhat frail physique. "but
1t is equally certain that | desire TO
enter most emphatic protest against
your prices. A dollar a drink is a most
unheard Of charge for whisky"
tible. Certainly no one in the old
mans saloon at the time had ever be-
fore heard Of whisky being sold at
that price, but there were clrcum-
stances.
The customer had entered the saloon
with supercilious air and had looked
about him in a manner that failed TO
ingratiate him with the company be-
fore he invited them to join him in
drink. 1t was therefore with sullen
acquiescence rather than cheerful
alacrity that they responded to his in
yitation.
Showed His COntemptuOusness.
Had he been man OF wider expert
ence or moro discernment it is prob |
able that he would have refrained from
speaking overmuch, but no. After he
had slipped little OF his drink he set
his glass back on the bar and laid n
81 bill beside it and spake thus:
Il came in here because desired to
behold all phases OF life in Arkansas
City before leaving it forever. have
been here now for the better part OF
an hour and have seen everything
should be no redeeming feature, and
there is here
1T seemed impossible that there
my thought was that since there was
none elsewhere might find one in
what have been told is the most pop
ular resort in the place As 1t is. my
only regret in going back on board
the boat, which is now about to leave. {
is that I ever came here at all"
And he looked at the old man as If
expectant OF the change from his 81 /
bill.
Needed More to Pay the Bill. /
Strangers who sojourned in Arkan-
sas City were frequently stricken with {
but few were made so des-
perate as he appeared TO be. They
looked at him with awe. and the old
man gulped painfully, but nothing was
said for moment or so.
Then the old man recovered him
self and said. Five dollars mo-"
What for?" asked the stranger. He
was plainly surprised and seemed in
clined to anger.
40 them drinks replied the old
man, and the discussion was on.
Are drinks usually sold at a dollar
apiece at this barr" inquired the
stranger.
Don't make no difference what's
ushal," said the old man. That's
what 20 all is got to pay TO that
round
Seems to me-" said the stranger,
this is case that calls for arbitra-
ton. Certainly l don't propose to pay
any such outrageous price for any
such whisky as that"
Question Not Debatable.
aAfO'f nOfhin 'arbgtrorv fI,o,,t u I
replied the old man. IL say that's the
price, an yo' all II have to pay IT."
Then It was that he made the remark
already quoted about questions that
were not debatable and the stranger
made the protest hereinbefore noted.
Wont do yo' no good 10 p'test," /
said the old man, doggedly. 1T might I
be some different II 20 all was gwine
to stay round spell. Yo'd git yo' .
drinks mo- reas' nable, mebbe, mo- spe-
cial II yo' felt like settin' in at a !
game O. poker. But S long as you're /
gwine TO leave on this boat an amt /
never comm back I'm chargin 70 /
what I'd ought To- to make on yo'
trade II yo' was 10 stay spell longer.
II can assure you" said the strang- I
er; producing the money, that you
would never get any more OF my
trade under any circumstances unless /
you should change the brand. Nothing /
would induce me to buy any more
whisky like that. But when you
speak OF poker ] confess that you
rouse more OF my interest than ! /
thought could be aroused by anything
in Arkansas City. Is it possible that
anybody in this community is capable |
of understanding the most scientific |
pastime known to mankind?
Willing TO Make Bargain.
'Mebbe they amt nobody what on
derstands it remarkable" said the old
man, whose temper seemed 10 have
improved suddenly and wonderfully.
'but the boys is making an effort 10
git onto the myst'ries OF it. Mebbe
20 all mought learn EN- somepln',
bout some of the fine p'ints what they
amt been showed. not yet. In that
case I'd be willin' TO- low yo' all
blue chip 70 that extry S.. Not as a
matter Of principle, | wouldn't. but
Tuther n to have no hard feelins."
THE feelings l entertain are fnerad-
icable," retorted the stranger very
positively. Certainly my resentment
is not to be assuaged by any such pal