Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-19

loon few days later without know
ing that their identity was instantly
suspected
we uns is trav'lin 70 pleasure"
said Mr.. Masters while the initiatorv
ceremony At the bar was still In prog
ress' an we done hcered what they
was right smart OF game O. poker
played hyar occasional CONSEQUENT
we done come aSho'."
I don't never play my own self. no,
AS rule. don't" said the old man.
but they is a game o. guards in the
pack room sometimes. dunno whcth-
or IT'S poker or not. but some O. these
here gents en- tell ,o'"
Mr. Blaisdeli Admitted. when the
strangers looked around. that poker
WAS sometimes III" game. ana inti
mated that he would be willing TO take
a hand IL IL was desired, And us the
others were equally agreeable. Six
handed game WAS soon started
AccogdtnG 10 his custom the old man
returned IL his station behind the bar.
where his hunSstartcr was kept. as
cards "n the table. and To him. after
al Interval. appeared the one-eycd
man.
AdvnncIn" TO the bar with an as
Sumption 40 case. tho latter said. Lets
liquor. IL was probably the only way
n
portunity 10 parlcy with his sworn foe
before being obliged to defend himself
against a murderouS attack and for
Il moment It seemed rs If tho attack
would he made despite his uttcrance
OF the potent formula. for the old man
grabbed his hunSstartcr and glared ac
the "ne-eNcd man with an intensity
of hatred that was almost beyond be
Lief
Even the most rigid sticl5lcr for
etiquette in the great Southwest rccog-
nizrd the fact that it was permissible
on occasions TO ignore an invitation
to drink. Necessarily II must he an
extreme occasion. for compliance with
the invitation WAS pcremptory obli-
cation under all ordinary uircuin-
stances. but these two men both un- ,
dcrst"od clearly that the circumstances
in this case were far from ordinary.
BEYOND question. the old man was
justified in hestating No one in the
community would have imputed blame
to him had he obcyed his first IN
pulse and fractured the onc-eyed man.
skull with his bungstarter.
But the one-cycd man had reckoned
Welt Furious as the old mans wrath !
certainly was whom lie could overlook |
the requirements Of the etiquette ap- !
pertaining TO his own business hc was !
too frugal to neglect even the smallest
opportunity for profit. Two drinks !
over the bar meant two bits in the till. I
and he laid aside the bungstartcr and
served the drinks. y temporary truce. !
at least. was established aud one Eve /
smoke further:
~ reckon he said unhnndedly, .
what it's up TO me to 'poogizc fo'
what done did when ! was hyar afo
Tn amt no doubt but | done mshc- :
havcd some. bu, them bygones is done
went an 5 fur s tho future is en- :
~ "a ~ .t,.,l
fault. What | p'poso il To- to set In
again an give yo' urs - chans, TO to
git even"
liut the old man rc,orted bitterly:
'N" all is monstrous glib with yo'
.poinEies. but they is things what can't
DC r"toRized 70. reckon when Jim
Wharton done Knocked yo' other eve
out he didn't never come round an
'pologizc 70 it,"
The cruel gibe went home. and one
Eye flushed With anger bu, he kent
his seif-control
No she said. nor he want man
enough 70 to Civ. me :, chanst rn' IN
III, even. lie done i, in q Fair eight /
an never hclt no grutch ag'in him
TO that II he'd a gave me chanst
TO TO tight him as'm I wouldn't "a
looked TO- no mo. hut he's done ken
outen my WAY 50 fur.
but what I'm a-doin is dir rent. I
into game, b", what's that" Tn,
ready to-"
Yes exclaimed the old man. blaz-
Ing out suddenly. IAN yo' playcd
crooked IL dom on H."
Now. hold yo' bosses" said One Eve
The game was poker want it? They
amt no "ich thing us crooked poker. l.
amt never made no kick when
l'iaisde,i doled the guards. did I? When
g his deal he en- do what he likes
th"utcn he's caught at it, an they
ant nobody say nothin'. An similar !,
uonc thc best I knowcd how done
GOT wad this time al choke n mule
III I'm ready TO to give yo' uns
ihanst 70 to git even. That's fair
Unit it?"
Sinms Roll of bills ON Dnr.
ma, AS II TO clinch the argument he
'uiicd from his pocket an enormous
'oi! OF bills ana slammed 1t down on
he bRr. Tipping il open as he did IT,
20 that the old man could see that
'ome OF the bills were o. larger de-
Nothing else could have served his
purpose so well. The old mans ewes
Uttered with unholy greed. and he
No' all's money sho' does talls." no
'omitted unSraciously. IAN g fur -
IN cncorncd tn amt no reason why
% can't set In 8 long g II lasts. ri
iunno what Rassett II say. He's done |
NO he'd Kill yo' all OF sight. but n
eckon Blaisdell d kynd o like 10 |
Hay 20 first Oft
well that's up 20 yo' Lns" said Ons