The sun., 1916-08-20

accusation, but 20 all knows I amt
well fixed right now"
Great as was the old mans bewil-
derment, he was sufficiently alert to
make a mental note Of this admission.
Ordinarily he had scant regard for any
inc who was short Of money; but there
had come into his mind a great desire
TO own this remarkable dog, and his
experience had informed him that the
price or any commodity often varied in
accordance with the necessities Of It's
owner First. however, he wanted to
learn whether the dog really did un.
derstand poker. "a he had claimed.
therefore he placed the cards on
the bar and after he had cleared the
way for further business by c,inking
glasses with the stranger and dispos-
ing OF the liquor that had been poured
out he rifiled the deck and prepared
to deal out three poker hands.
Hold on" said the dog as he saw
the old man about to deal. "Cut the
guards. BILL"
Il didn't reckon that was nec'ary,"
sale the old man somewhat abashed.
"bein' they amt no money up."
"Mebbe not" said the dog, "but
whatever's did. mought AZ well be did
reg'lar."
Accordingly. Bill cut the cards and
the old man dealt out three hands
face UP. on the bar.
Now does yo' all p'tend to say what
20 knows what them hands ISL" ne
demanded, looking at the dog.
why o. co'se." was the reply. 10
all Is got three deuces. Bills got two
pair. an rs got a TO- iush. Deal out
the draw an les see how itrl come
This yer 3 some i~nterestin'."
1t was done. and while the others
did not improve their hands, the dog
caught his fifth spade, %whereupon he
barked joyously.
81 reckon the drinks Is on the house,
this time" he said. IT wouldn't a
stayed on no TO- flush ag'in them hands
with on'y three Nlayin' IL they'd a
been money in the pot, but I win ali
right. didn't II"
Y sho' did" admitted the old man.
now thoroughly convinced that the
dog knew not only the value of the
hands. but something nj least of the
strategy OF the game. "Th' amt gwine
to be no question bout them drinks"
And he proceeded to set 'em up.
Somehow, he seemed to feel the need
OF something to steady his nerves after
the brain rack!ng experiences Of the
last few minutes. and after the drinks
had been passed out as before, he
turned his back for a to get
q cigar from a box on the shelf, and
again the stranger emptied the dogs
glass.
That's ths wust Of q dawg," he
said as II greatly chagrined. when the
old man turned back and saw the
empty glass. "I en- learn Jack most
everything. but pears like I can never
learn him no when he's
thirsty"
Anybody what understands poker
like he does don't have to have no
manners" declared the old man. and
Just at that m Mr.. owen Pepper
entered the saloon. Tho old man
turned his head slightly to see who
was coming. and 80 failed 10 observe
tho stranger when he made Q high
sign tn Mr.. Pepper. The two had
recognized each other instantly, but
Mr.. Pepper. though he was obtusc In
some respects. was . man Of quick
l YVISVptlcUs
He understood Immediately that the
stranger did not desire to be made
known. and that particularly he did
not want the old man to be told that
he was q clever ventrlioquist. Ac-
cordingly, he came on in without be-
traying his acquaintance. He did,
however. seem considerably surprised
to see n dog standing III at the bar
with a glass in front OF him. and the
old mar noted the surprise.
"IN bet yo' all never seer q DAVIS
In yo' life. Pepper" he said. "what
knowed as much as that thar anim!le.'
"Oh. I don't know" said Mr.. Pepper
"Dawgs is mighty intelligent some or
en-"
Bet yo' never seen one drink wills.
key" persisted the old man.
"Oh. I don't know" said Mr.. Pepper
i've t. ia drinked some my ownseli
what want fit 70 nobody but &
dawg."
Never seen one what knowed how
to play poker exclaimed the old man
determined to rouse Mr.. Pepper L
some expression OF incredulity. Hi
idea was TO provoke Mr.. Pepper Il
agree to a wager. IL It was only 10,
the drinks. and thereby reap a PROB,
for himself. But Mr.. Pepper wa I'm.
perturbable.
"Oh. I don't know no said. az
deckon II q dawg knowed enough &c
play. he'd know enough not to set into
no game in Arkansas City"
"How II he was to talk? ?" demanded
the old man. ignoring the slur in his
excitement.
"Oh. I don't know" said Mr.. Pop.
per. "Dawgs knows . heap. an
aI'ays reckoned they knowed enough
not to talk, but mebbe this n Amt I
gifted a. that"
"Oh. quit arSifyin' an fine we un.
in a drink. Yves Just gwine to hav'
another"
This interruption came from the dos
There could be no mistake about II
but Mr.. Pepper stepped forward to tn
bar. apparently Indifferent a. to whom
II came from. even when the dog wen
on, "Yo' pay TO- It, Bill, I amt got n,
money with me" and Bill replied, "Al
right. but don't press tho limit too fur
I'm short my ownself."
Old man Greeniaw showed himsei
still equal to tho strain. though II wa
telling on him. He set out fresl
glasses, though he did It In automatic
fashion as II ne were thinking hard
So, as It presently appeared. he was.
The glasses were not yet all fllet
when he addressed the stranger Will
--A-a