The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-07-30

uc uhu any bVCSl1I HOuOb lShSO va
strife. On the contrary he enjoyed
beholding It and would sometimes stir
it up for the pleasure OF seeing 1t,
but he seldom or never participated
in 1t, preferring the attitude OF by
stander. and even abandoning that
when standing by involved peril to
his person.
A Shrinking Creature.
Moreover, his habit was to assume
the virtue OF modesty, even though
he had It not, and he was wont TO dis
claim positive knowledge Of any mat
ter concerning which he might be
questioned In word, he might he
described as shrinking, though he was
not without occasional arrogance.
When he entered the saloon at this
particular time, however, his demean-
or was jaunty il not cocky. 1t was as
il he felt assured Of a more enthusiasts
tic welcome than he was accustomed
TO receive Nevertheless shrewd OBJ
server would have notice that he was
evidently DESTROYS Of enhancing the
enthusiasm.
StridIng somewhat pompously in
the direction OF the bar, he waved his
hand with n lordly air in such a man
ner as to leave no room for question
ing his purpose Of entertaining the
company, regardless Of the expense
that attached to the proceeding, He
did not even pronounce the custom
airy formula Of invitation, but no ono
waited for that His gesture was sui-
flcient.
Conversation was suspended. The
old man stepped nimbly to his sta
ton and began Juggling bottles and
glasses and the others lined up with
their bellies against the bar expect
ant and affable.
Ready for Conversation.
Everybodys expectation bein met In
regard to bibuIatlon. as 1t presently
was, there remained certain looking
forward for intelligence OF dOings in
the outer world, Mr. Pepper being Ar
kansas City's principal purveyor OF
that. But even as they waited for in
formation, Mr.. Pepper waited to be
asked for it, though they well knew
he was liable to burst open II he did
not impart It. So at length the old
man, willing to humor him, said:
much diddn on the river?"
"Oh, l don't know" said Mr.. Pep
per. "They's been c'nsidable talk bout
that thar free2eout that One Eye an
Jim done played tn other night"
"Thats nachul," said the old man.
They would be talk. 'Tain't frequent
what theys two royals o the same suit
out on the same deal. Takes experts
to play thataway"
ooh, | don't know" said Mr. Pep
per. "Kyind O. looked to me like they
was somepin clumsy bout It. Any
ways, One Eyes been talking some
disparagous. Says he recokons what
Jim must a played crooked, seem he
want dealin.' Says it's all right 70
the dealer to hold royal, but they
can't nobody else git one honest. mo-
special il it's the same suit"
Was Charge Made Dlrcctl
Does he ptend to say what | done
played crooked?" exclaimed Blaisdell,
narlng up in sudden fury.
ooh, ! don't know said Mr.. Pep
per, with an appearance Of intense
joy. ~ didn't hear him say nothin'
like that. Not right out he didn't
hut peared like they want no chanst
TO- nobody to make no mistake about
the meanin o. what he had in his
haid"
That's 'xactly what | done said"
observed old man Greenlaw, who also
evlnced satisfaction at the sight Of
Blaisdelps wrath. "He so is one O.
them hell hounds what has a other
way. Bein' g he pposes To- to rob 20
all o. yo' good name, he amt man
enough TO- to say it, genteel an flat
footed, like a reel gent. He piers
TO- to climb UP some other way, like
the Good Book says. "Taint what he's
tryin' to do, Jim, what they's 'bjec-
tons to- It's the dastardly cunnin O.
him what gifts me ravin'."
Plans to Buy Gun.
"'Tain't nothln o. the kyind, s fur's
I'm concerned" retorted Blaisdell.
Don't make no difference to me how
cunnin he is He aIn't gwlne to play
boss with my reputation, no s longs
I've got money enough to buy gun,
he amt"
ooh, don't know" said Mr.. Pepper,
as II determined not to allow the at
tentIon OF the company from being
diverted from him. us done heer'd a
heap O. different things said about One
Eye, but I hain't never heer'd nobody
stoppin him I'm doin' nothing what he
set out TO- to do"
For a moment 1t seemed as II Mr..
Pepper might be the victim Of sud
den turbulence, so distasteful to the
sensibilities of his hearers was his
evident opinion Of the one-eyed man.
Angered as they were, however, that
single moment was enough to show
them that they could not canddly con-
trovert the opinion, No one hitherto
had ever stopped him.
They somepin' in that as the man
said when he dropped his fine cut in
his whiskey," said Jake Winterbottom,
thoughtfully. 81 reckon likely faint
never been did, not yet it hain't; but
they's ways O. doin' most anythin' il
it's went at right
Something Like River.
"Oh, don't know" said Mr.. Pep
per, rather loftily. "They is some
,l,;,,,. ,,.L,. o;,'t no,,or I;,bIo 60 -.