The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-09-10
HE BootIegger"
By Buck Drybons

west virginia is desert surround
sd by an oasis, as 1t were, speaking
tIom the standpoint OF a person who
likes an occasional drink.
The $4,000 majority rolled up by the
"drys" at the last general election is
matter of history.
The time limit allowed the dealers
In the "Oh, Be Joyful" product had
elapsed, as had also the supply laid
in by the far-seeing individuals who
realized that drink in the near flu
ture was going TO be something of
luxury. AS result, many, many
threats were dry, yea. dry with such
dryness that even the Sahara desert
is insufficient as comparison.
harrisburg. the most thriving city
in the state, centrally located, and
formerly notorious for its number of
saloons, is now model of dryness and
the resulting sobriety.
Upon this fact the bootleggers earn
estly pondered. Here was an unlim-
tied market. The profits would be
large; and the penalty, If caught, 800
fine and sixty days on the county
roads. Whew! Pretty stiff; but why
not take a chance? And they did.
Bill Long lshort for William Wads-
worth Long, saw the result as he
leaned against telephone pole at the
corner of Main and Third streets.
Passing in front Of him and turning
the corner towards the county Jail was
n procession Of men in overalls, some
eighty odd strong, led by deputy
sheriff with rifle slung across his
shoulder and followed by another SIM
ilarly armed.
What's the idea?" asked Bill of a
man that was holding UP the other
side of the telephone pole. Are those
convicts?"
"Bootleggers, was the rejoinder.
They give them sixty days on the
county roads and 500 fine. If they
haven't got the hundred-another 100
days on the roads"
Good-n-i-g-h-t!" exclaimed Bill,
Pretty stiff! They must make big
profit to run risk like that"
"oh, they generally sell it for dol
lar and a half a pint, replied his
informer. 81 reckon they make about
dollar and a quarter profit on every
pint. They don't sell nothing but rot
gut"
a dollar and quarter profit on a
pint of whiskey. This was food for
thought TO q man of Bills calling and
present circumstances. He had just
arrived in the city that morning from
n nearby state. 1t was his first trip
into this section of the country.
Bill belonged to that class Of people
who always seem to have money. live
we'll and enjoy life, and yet have no
visible means Of support. They travel
around the country at their ease,
gamble a little, and pick UP little
wad at first one thing and another.
in ways mysterious and that we, the
common, Woodworking herd know not
Of.
One hundred dollars was the mini
mum of the amount that Bill always
endeavored to keep on hand. At times
he had many times this amount, but
at present he was very close the limit.
Hence his journey into this section Of
the country.
He never spent more than month
in one locality and never worked the
same field twice.
AS he went down Third street to
the Tyson house, where he was put
ting up, he pondered deeply.
He scarcely touched his supper and
Immediately after leaving the dining
room he called for his key at the Of
flee and went up to his room. Taking
"a whisk broom and brushing the bed
bugs out of the way he settled him
self comfortably in the easiest chair
in the room and was soon lost in deep
thought.
Being man of varied experience
he never tackled proposition until
no had looked at 1t from all angles
and, IL he decided to act, he did 1t Wig
orously.
At 10 o'clock his feet clapped on the
floor as he dropped them from the
window sill and arose. From his ac-
tlons one would surmise that he had
arrived at some conclusion, and what
ever it was, it meant action.
He Immediately went down to the
Office wrote and addressed a letter;
then, lighting a cigar, started out for
an evenings stroll of observation,
mailing his letter as he passed the
postofflce.
The next morning at o'clock Bill
was at the mayors Office when it
opened for business.
An hour elapsed while few cases
we're being tried before he got a
chance to talk to the mayor.
Approaching this honorable person
age, hat in hand and most engaging
smile monopolizing his features, Bill
inquired; Have l the honor of adj
dressing the mayor of Larksburg?'
you have" was the laconic rejoin-
der.
Mr.. Mayor" began Bill, Il just ar
rived in your city yesterday. This is
my first visit here and l must say that
you have very fine. progressive lit
tie city want to do little business
on your streets and"
What kind of safety razors," again
cd the mayor,
why, l would like to sell few
safety-razors-"
"What kind Of safety-razors.' again
interrupted the mayor.
81 have the famous Willette make
of S. safety-razors. put up in case
containing a mug. soap, brush, dozen
extra blades and special sharpener
Tor tho blades and eYnnct tn"