The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-12

to take his chances in the water. This
plan. however, was rejected after
some consideration us being absurdly
inadequate and more certain method
OF determination was decided to be
necessary and appropriate.
"A man s light weight as him d
tread water I'm hyar to New Orleans
If that was did" said the old man, and
they perceived the futility of relying
on nature to complete the work de-
volving on them.
The next thought was to turn the
job over to Bassett, who, 1t was
thought, would find certain amount
of enjoyment in executing the purpose
which they all had in mind. Mr.. Bas-
sett was somewhat prone to strife,
and ordinarily reckless of conse-
quences. But on this occasion he
baked.
Two Needed for Fight.
"oh, shucks," he exclaimed. "Th'
amt no fun in fightin' 'thouten they's
two fights. don't mind dom what's
nes'ary TO- to git rid of man when
I'm het up, but | couldn't fight no SIGH
mans Pepper, no mo- n could wom-
an. TIL amt no fight into him. 1
hain't never did no cold blood murder
yit, an amt goin' to b'gin on no SIGH
piece O. putty S him.
Unprepared as the others were to
hear from the most violent man
among them the expression Of such
forbearance, they were nevertheless
impressed by 1t, and their indignation
at Mr.. Peppers crime was tempered
Immediately by the contemptous pity
for a man who was incapable Of fight
ing, so that they wavered for a mo-
ment in their purpose Of taking ven
geance on him, and at that moment
Mr.. Pepper entered the room.
Lets liquor" he said.
They looked at him and at one an
other with curious hesitancy. For
another moment or so it seemed al
most as il the suggestion might be
ignored for the first time in the his
tory Of the place. but Mr.. Pepper. ap-
parently not noticing their strange ap-
pearance, extracted from his pocket
n large wad which he slammed on the
bar with an exultant smile. 1t was as
il he had become suddenly wealthy
and wished to let them know It.
Then They "LiquOred.,
Old Man Greenlaw's whole nature
responded instantly to this appeal to
his liberation, and he produced bot
tie and glasses without delay. Then
one by one the others stepped up to
the bar and they drank. 1t seemed al
most as il they were suddenly ashamed
of their recent rage.
Mr.. Pearsall, however, found HIM
self unable to swallow his resentment
with his whiskey, and he said, sneer-
ingly:
"How's yo' friend. Pepper"
ooh. ! don't know" said Mr.. Pep
per. 81 amt so sho' what I've got any
real friends. on'y one" And he gazed
fondly at the wad on theb ar, grin
ming facetiously. though feebly, as II
detecting note of hostility.
But Pearsall declined to be amused.
II mean One Eye" he said impla-
cably.
"Oh, don't know" said Mr.. Pep
per. al reckon he amt no p'tic'lar
friend O. mine. The last time see
him he was comm my way with
knife in his hand an a onholy xpres-
sion in his eye. reckoned what he
didn't had no idee o. kissin' my hand,
an I done come away I'm thar right
speedy"
"How come he was gwinc to knife
yo'% demanded the old man, sur
prisedly.
"oh. l don't know" said Mr.. Pep
per. 81 reckon mebbe he kyind o.
'spicioned I want playin' fair when
win the last pot what was on the
table when done quit" And he grin
ned again. wholesome grin OF pure
enjoyment this time.
Adjourn to the Back Room.
WAS yo' all playin' poker with
him. exclaimed the old man, now
greatly astonished.
"oh, don't know" said Mr.. Pep
per. "Mebbe. want 'xactly what u
be called poker. ! was playin' bawss
with him."
Tho old mans wonder passed all
bounds at this.
BE yo' all dreamln, or just plain