The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-07
The Blue
Moon
A Tale of the Flatwoods
BY
DAVID ANDERSON
Copyright, 1919.
The Bobbs- Merrill Company
Publication rights, 1920, Mcclure
Syndicate and Pensacola
Journal.
The Pearl Buyer.

1t was far past noon when the white
skiff drew up to the wharf. A crowd
mostly river men, was there to meet
it--and more coming 1t seemed
everybody in Buckeye knew what was
going on. 1t is not every town that
has such a distinction thrust upon it
Thrill-starved, like most out of the
way places of the earth, the village
had poured it's population out upon
the river shore. It was a motley
company-an odd conglomeration of
funny necks and quaint faces-each
man hungry for the bit of chance ex-
citement; each eager for a glimpse of
the tall youth whom fortune had sud
denly lifted high above the common
place.
In front of the Mud Hen the little
Jew paused, rolled his furry tongue,
and jerked his hand toward the door.
The Pearlhunter shook his head.
Wait till we get back from the
bank"
'Himmell It's on mel"
But the Pearlhunter was far too
wise to fall for that trick.
Thanks" he said But business
first
Jew trotted along beside him. The
crowd followed
The old banker invited them back
into his private office and shut the
door. 1t was the first time the Pearl
hunter had ever been farther in a
bank than the lobby, and only once in
his life that far. The solid and sub
stantiaI luxury of the place was a
Iair aff In
tense curiosity. But the cumulative
effect of it was to give him courage
to make him feel he was somebody.
1t seemed to the Pearlhunter that
the banker was gone a long time when
he went to bring the pearl from the
safe When he finally re-entered the
private office the owner of the pearl
saw why. He had hunted up some
where about the bank a small box,
tiny jewel case, covered with green
plush, and was carrying the pearl In
tia little thing, but very graceful
and gracious. The act went to the
heart of the Pearlhunter and immense
ly increased his confidence and self
respect, which was probably the very
thing the wise old banker hoped II
would do.
Louie Solomon knew fresh-water
pearls Probably there was no greater
expert living. His first glance at the
Blue Noon, when the Id of the tiny
plush case was raised, betrayed him.
Forgetful of the level eyes watching
his slightest move, studying his every
expression, he pounced upon the glori-
Gus Jewel and caressed it with his
hands, devoured it with his protruding
eyes the crafty trader lost for the
moment in the expert; the Jew in the
man.
But it was only for the moment. The
vanished; in his place the
hard faced trader. He Strengthened;
set the box with the lid still up, on
the table that occupied the center OF
the office floor, and looked at the
others,
$500" he said, with slither of
his hand toward the pearl--a gesture
only Louie Solomon could make. 'Undt
dot iss it for which de pearl fishers
should go crazy?"
He said it as if the whole matter
was too trifling for consideration: as
if he had really expected to find
something and had found nothing;
much as a man might blow the candle
out.
But even Louie Solomon couldn't
quite put over his accustomed bluff
in the face of such a gem. 1t drew
his eyes back in spite of him. Taking
a lens from his pocket, he stopped
over it again.
You no see dot flaw?" he said.
after short inspection.
The Pearlhunter took the lens and
looked with quick, studied care. Some
times the most perfect pearl win de-
velop a flaw in r.pening.
NO. he answered, handing back the
ems. Neither do YOU"
1t was straight thrust. The buyer
flushed and studied his man. Who was |
his Pearlhunter, anyhow?
Well how much you want it2"
Il told you
The Jew ridiculed the idea with his i
hands.
Il fought you make me some fool 4
shness. You don'dt can mant it,"
ssTa4itya a c-ao1 ota rca