The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-09-28

him was a bodyservanf, Guinea me-
gro named Dip. So what does he dot
He says to the proprietor Of the gam
bling house: I wish to play this ne
gro. SIR All right; I'll take of the
limit and let you play him. How much
Is he worthT says the gambler I
don't want to play his value In money,
but him, tell you,' says the General.
Say the word. and I'll bet him on one
Of these numbers He had been los
ing every bet, and the proprietor knew
that 1t would be safe So he says:
All right, go ahead
"The General wasn't sober, SO he
calls the darky and says. Dip, stand
here with your forefingers on number
twenty, right here The darky did so,
and they turned the wheel, everybody
laughing. Well. sir, IL twenty didn't
win. the world is a puffball | Won, and
the owner Of the place turned pale
He knew that he'd have to pay or close
up his house. So he says: All right.
get at his value. and I'll pay the bet
'valuer cries the General. 4 didn't
bet his value. but him. want thirty
five Guinea negroes. Size them up to
him.
what farcel" commented Drace.
"Was it7 Well, reckon not. They
had to go out and buy thirty-five
Guinea negroes. 1t took quite a while,
but the General waited. And when
they had all been sized up, the General
went up the River. with his thirty-ive
Guinea negroes trailing after him."
Now Drace could see the picture of
1t. and he laughed. This was the man
he was going to visit!
The Bumblebee was Jointly owned
and operated by Major Pewitt and a
young fellow named william Hawkins.
1t was fine steamer, but while II was
cunningly masked as q public carrier,
Shottle was quick to discover that 1t
was in truth a nomad gambler, profuse
in entertainment that taxed not the
giver. But the entertainment sought
by this pelican, rs the gamesters
termed Shottle, was not of wine from
France. the fish-egg from Russia or
venison from Americas native woods.
but spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs
And while the Bee still lay at the
wharf breathing low and blubberously
through her nostrils, Shottle had put
in operation quickly contrived
touch" presenting himself to Major
Pewitt before he had taken the time
to introduce his friend to that WELL
known character.
Now, however, Major Pewitt strolled
up; and Shottle, keen to get to the
gaming table. introduced Pewitt to
Drace and then a moment later HIM
self slipped away.
1--WE are on our way to visit Shot
ties uncle, General Bethpage," ex-
planned Drace.
"What, my old friend and fellow
soldier, Bethpage, Never a nobler
man drew sword in defense of what
he conceived to be right. II you like
genial atmosphere and company that
never tires, you will remain with him
as long as possible and still too short
a time. earnestly hope that you may
ind inducement to settle among u.s."
POSSIBLY may. like the River.
like the study Of character. In charac-
ter there is all history. all philosophy.
all"
"Just So" the Major agreed. "And
we have some remarkable characters
here, sir. and some Of the most beau
tiful women in the world to poms peo-
pie it may appear little singular. but
interesting character amoag men al
ways develops in an atmosphere pro-
ducing beauty among women"
"And naturally, Major, you are &C.
quainted with both characters and
beauty. And by the way, did you ever
meet an old fellow-lef me see. what
Is his naRef oh, i think they call him
stepho : something. Oh, yes - La
OtttA,.
The Major cleared his throat ana
gently laid his hand on Drace's
shoulder.
Ito be Continued)