The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-06-07
A WET" TRICK IN ARIZONA.

| A WET" TRICK in ARIZONA.
Stewart Edward White, in Harper's
Magazine: Bill led me at once past
two or three, lounging cow-persons to
the cubby-hole. where arose typical
old-timer
Meet Mr.. Billings he said to me.
The old-timer grasped me firmly
by the right hand and held tight
while he demanded. as usual, What
name?" We informed him together.
He allowed he was pleased. allow
ed the same.
Il want to buy yard of Calico =
said Bill.
counter and produced strip of cloth
about a yard long. Also it showed
the marks of loving but brutal and
soiled hands.
Wrap it up" inquired Mr.. Billings.
Nope" said Bill. and handed out
three silver dollars. Evidently calico
was high in these parts. We turned
away.
by the way, Bill" Mr.. Billings call
ed after us, Il got little present
here for you. Some friends sent her
in to me the other day. Let me know
what you think of it"
We turned. Mr.. Billings held in
his hand sealed quart bottle with a
familiar and famous label.
why that's kind of you,' said
Bill. grayely. He took the proffered
bottle. turned it upside down, glanced
at the bottom, and handed it back.
But ! don't believe I'd wish for none
of that particular breed. 1t never
did agree with my stummick.''
Without a flicker OF the eye the
storekeeper produced second seal
ed bottle, identical in appearance
and label with the first.
TRY it," he urged. Here's one
from different case. Some of these
yere vintages is better than others"
so I've noticed replied Bill.
dryly. He glanced at the bottom and
slipped it into his pocket.
We went out. AS we passed the
door Bill, unobserred. dropped into
the heretofore unexplained waste
basket the yard OF calico he had just
purchased.
Don't believe I like the pattern
for my boudoir," he told me gravely.
We clamored aboard and shout
our derisiye exhaust at the dimin-
fishing town.
Il thought Arizona was dry
state" I ventured.
She is. You can't sell drop. But
you can keep stuff for personal use.
There amt nothing more personal
than givin' it away to your friends.
"The price of calico is high down
here"
'.And goin' up agreed Bill. gloom
lily
He drove ten miles in silence while
II, knowing my type. waited.
THAT old Billings ought to be
drug out and buried" he remarked at
last I'VE rode together on the CHR
ichaue range. He ought to know
better than to try to put it onto me-
How so?" said /.
You saw that first bottle? Just
plain, forty-rod dog poison--and me
payin' three good round dollars!"
For calico" reminded.
Shore That's why he done it.
He had me-if hadn't called him.
But that first bottle was identi-
calIy the same as the one you have
in your pocket" / stated.
'.Shore?"
why, yes-at least-That is. the
bottle and label were the same, and
/ particularly noticed the cork seal
looked intact
1T was" agreed Bill. That cap
hadn't never been disturbed. You're
right"
Then what objection"
Its one OF them wonders of mod
ern science that spoils the simple
life next to natures heart said
Bill, unexpectedly. You hitch a big
hollow needle onto an electric-light
current When she gets hot enough
you punch hole with her in the bot
tom of the bottle. Then you throw
the switch and let the needle cool
off When she's cool you pour out
the real thing for your own use
mebbe. Then you stick in your
forty-cent-a-gallon squirrel poison.
Heat up your needle again. Dray her
out very slow so the glass will close
up behind her. Simple, neat, effec-
tive, honest enough for down here.
Cork still there, seal still there, label
still there. Bottle still there. except
for little bit of wartlookin' bub-
bile in the bottom"