The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-12
Mr.. O. PEPPER BLOSSOMS FORTH
AS AN EXPERT AT DRAW POKER

could do nothing squirm.
Neither Jake Winterbottom nor Jim
Blaisdell found anything to say, and
what the old man said, he being con-
stitutionally incapable Of silence,
served only to increase Bassett's in
dignation, and i'll feeling among them
grew until the solidarity of the famous
combination which had for long time
kept Arkansas City on the map was
seriously threatened.
Had it not been for Sam Pearsall.
1t might probably have happened that
disruption of the gang would have re-
suited from the constant pickering of
which the foregoing is only an exam
pie, but Sam. though he was thought
to be the least likely one among the
five to put forth an original thought,
had at this time happy inspiration.
81 reckon" he observed thoughtful
ly, what we uns won't never be shut
o. One Eye S long s we nourishes n
viper into our buzzoms what plays
into his hand crafty. Mo- n likely
he whacks up on the winnin's.
Wed ought TO to nipped him In
the bud afo' he went as fur IS he has.
Pears like tn amt no 'xcusc TO- let
tin him live no longer. He amt dom
nothin' what 'ntitles him to 'xist, only
goin' up an down the river like a
ragin' lion, seekin' whom he may de-
YOUR somebody, rs the Good Book
says"
They looked at him and at one an
other in establishment. 1t seemed at
first that he was denouncing some one
Of their own number as guilty OF
rreachery. and Bassett instantly
jumped at the conclusion that he meant
the old man himself not stopping to
think that the denunciation did not
fit with what the old man had done,
shameful as that was.
But the old man spoke.
"Who is yo' all got reference tor
he inquired.
Pepper" said Pearsall, Il take no.
tice what nigh bout every time One
Eye comes into our midst Pepper
comes first offan tells how he amt
never comm here no mo-. II that
amt cappin' his game. what is 1t?
Then. when he done come the last
time who was 1t doled the most out
rageous hand at stud whot nobody
never seen afo' nor sinct? Stands to
reason what Pepper couldn't never a
stacked the cards that away his own
self. Then who done 1t? TIL amt
on'y one man outsidn Blaisdell what
could a did 1t 'thouten gittin' catched
an that's One Eye his ownself.
II don't p'tend to say how he done
slipped the deck to Pepper alter he
done 1t, but he must have. TIL amt
no other way o. 'countin' TO it."
Looks reasonable" said Winterbot-
ton little doubtfully after they had
thought it over for moment or two,
"but what proof is they? amt max
in no excuse TO Pepper, but faint
right to hang yaller dawg thouten
some proof"
Falls Back on the Constitution.
Eyes. it's" said the old man eager
ly. He was plainly delighted at hav-
ing Bassett's indignation diverted from
him even for moment. when tn
amt no proof to he had. the cots II
al'ays c'nvict onto suk-mstantial evil
dence II tn amt no other way of
fetchin' the guilty to justice. This
yer's a plain case o. suk'mstantial evil
dence, an en- be token the same as
proof. same's the cots al'ays takes it.
That's laid down in the constitution
an tn amt no gwine back OF it"
Winterbottom was silenced, and the
others were convinced already by
Pearsall's argument. Mr.. Pepper's
guilt was unquestioned. and a discus
sion Immediately began as to what
punishment would best fit his otfensc.
The mildest suggestion offered was
that he be tarred and feathered and
ridden on rail to the edge Of the
river, after which he should be left