The sun., 1916-09-17
PEARSALL MEETS
HIS WIFE'S UNCLE
Family Matters Settled After
Poker Game at Old Man
Greenlaw's.
Bv DAVID A. CURTIS.

D ~
The mi who entered old man
areenlaw's little saloon in Arkansas
r,tv one evening proved to the salts
action Of the old man. after some Mt
IA conversation. that he was not in
mt A stranger. but an acquaintance
~ long standing. having been one
4, the regular customers Of the man
rno owned the Tavern in Greenville. |
Mss. Mt the time when old man |
creenlaw kept bar for him In bygone
years.
I, IL true that there was some little
a,A,cu,ty in establishing this fact to
ala man Greenlaw's satisfaction when |
me acauaintanceship was claimed
sfter the lapse Of &C many years.
me old mans habitual caution
srcmpted him to scrutinf4e with great
care the claim Of any one. at any
Alma. who profcssed to have known
rim at a former time.
The man from Greenville. however.
dd succeed after having bought sew.
ssl times in recalling himself to old
man Grccniaw's recollection. and the
latter set 'em up himself In ackpowl-
.'sment Of the acquaintance. Albeit
mis- acton was more or less perfume
.ory. betokening no enthusiasm what
ever. The Greenville person. how
ever. who recalled himself as Buck
Murdock. had a prosperous appear
ancc. and the old man remembered
,hat the man he had certainly known
nv that name had been somewhat
noted for sporting proclivitics in his
youth. so that II IA In q quite hope
,ul manner that he introduced Mr..
Murdoch to I'M OF the regular fire.
q~uenters os the saloon who came in
a.terward at intervals.
These introductions were acknowl-
edged in due form by Mr.. Murdoch.
who excessively invited Joe Bassett.
i'm Blaisdell and Jake winterbottom
70 Join him and the old mar in the
successive rounds that ensued. 8
mat things were SOC on a friendly
footing. not to say jovial. when there
amt a pause.
Mr.. Sam Pearsall had not yet ar
rived. and Mr.. Murdock's habitat nav
ing been mentioned. II was remembered
ny the others that Mr.. Pearsall's
prejudice against Greenville was
somewhat pronounced. so that It was
matter Of uncertainty whether or
not he would assume a tolerant or a
hostile attitude toward the stranger
when he should be introduced.
The question was more important
than II might seem TO he. Under the
skilful guidance Of the old a things
we're being gradually shaped up in a
way that would naturally lead to the
Inauguration Of a friendly game Of
poker in the back room Of the saloon.
Y was advisable for some reasons to
await the arrival Of Mr.. Fearsall be-
for" beginning 10 play. but when Mr.,
w~interbottom heard the mention of
Greenville. he looked doubtful and
After a little thought seemed to he
come a~pprehcnsive. He remembered
what tho others seemed rot to have
thought Of. that Pearsall had married
q Greenviile girl. And he thought
though he was not quite certain. that
the girls name had beer Murdoch.
Presently he exchanged meaning
looks with the ole man. and went out
Meeting Mr.. Pearsall a little distance
RON the saloon. he halted him for
conversation.
Sam he said. 'they is some pros.
PEGS Of a game"
Good said Pearsall. Who's tn,
sucker?"
Says his names Murdoch"
Good afain." said Pearsall. ANY
body what goes by that name d ough
70 20 he did up. 'Tain't one o. tn,
Grcenville Murdocks. is it?'
That's what" said Winterbottom.
SAY exclaimed Pearsall, with al
appearance Of intense JOY, IT wan
!ookin' 70 Christmas to come thi
early. Pears like the good Law,
must be a-smil!n' on me at las,
en- on. can't hardly wait 70 TO 81
thar And he buried along.
Hold on a minute!" said Winter
bottom, relieved. but still anxious
70 all ain reck'nin' on startin' n
rookus till arter the game. he yo'?"
Not thouten it's Buck Murdoch,
amt said Pearsall. III it's him.
c'nno whether I en- keep my ehirt o.
o. not. He's Mis- Pearsall's uncle ar
Hhe'd 4 had the feelin's of n man he
a said somepin' to me afo' twas to
late"
Calls hisself Buck said Winter
bottom, but say. TIL amt no sens
In helm hasty. He'd ought TO- to r
skun frs, off. an I en- keep the other
I'M intcrferin' II yo' all wants M
eatIsfaction later on. TIL amt n
htspri' hurry bout mar handlin' ,
MIN afp' We gifts his wad."
We'll, that's reasonable" said Peal
n1l s1prE.1tny hty 0ann s'T&,clnrpn