The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-08-02
Chapter is
Diffenderfer Himself

Diffenderfer Himself
a SUDDEN grating noise behind
N Bill caused him to turn his
head. And, in binding triumph
of perception. William gathered
the reason for the rout Of his CO.:
horts.
The reason was huge individ-
ual in that distinctive genus Of
salt and. pepper suit favored by
hangers-on at Belmont Park and
Pimlicc. 4 brown felt hat. in a
high state of disreputability, had
slipped. back from his massive
shining forehead until it looked
like a needy relation Of one Of the
hanging gardens Of Babylon. Tilt
ed at an arrogant angle in corner
Of his mouth was a half-srnoked
cigar. Beyond this the presence
was noteworthy for naught save
supreme paunchiness and a pro-
trading lower lip. William mis-
liked the individual on sight. 1t
became apparent presently that
the individual misliked William.
For the space of two seconds he
regarded Mr.. Steele with disap-
prevail Then he removed the cigar
from his mouth and spoke with a
Kind Of brief regality.
'Youi" he said harshly. BEAT
i'll"
"Eh7" said William, blinking in
surprise.
'fYou heard mel" averred the
salt-and- pepper clad gentleman.
'Scraml"
William drew himself up. "And
just why" he inquired, with hau-
teur, Should | scraln?"
The paun chy gentleman APP
preached two feet closer and low
cred.
@'Cause I'm tellin' you TO-" he
said threateningly. "An' what's
more, make it snappy. Unless you
want to 60 out of here on your tin
ear"
William gasped. This to a Torrid
Terror of the Rose Bowl.
Listen" he said cuttingly, Il
don't know who you are and I don't
want to. But you try throwing me
out of here and I'll scramble your
face like an egg. In fact, I'd enjoy
scrambling your face. It's the kind
of face that ought to be scram-
bled." He wrinkled his nose in dis
gust. "It's a rotten face.
At this an expression which
might have passed for a sardonic
grin in the world of basilisks APP
peared on the face under discus
sion. It spread in kind Of CLASSY
horror.
"Oh, yeah?" said the big man.
u yeah" confirmed William.
The big man took a puff of his
cigar.
Listen" he said gratingly, ''you
think amt wise who you are, you
poor boob? You think / amt hep
that you're one of Bernie's guys?"
"Bernie's guys?" echoed Bill.
"Who the devil are they?"
''You know darn well who Ber-
MES guys are cause you're one of
'em," growled his antagonist, with
irrefutable logic.
William made a diagnosis.
y You're crazy" he said.
'Hal" responded the elephant in
the salt-and- pepper suit. That's
what you think. Well, let me tell
you something, young fellal amt
as crazy as look. An if you think
Bernie Feldman can send the likes
Of you over here an get away with
stealth my freaks, you're the one
that's loony. An Bernie Feldman,
too" he added, with satisfaction.
Bernie Feldman?" said Bill
blankly. Stealing your freaks?"
The big man made a gesture OF
impatience. Jaw, cut the comedyl
/ s'pose you're goin' to stand there
an tell me you amt never heard
of Bernie Feldman .hat runs a
freak show in South Brooklyn"
I've never even heard Of South
Brooklyn" Bill said.
Dirty Work
THE big man jeered.
i Get that?" he said, seeming
70 address Diffenderfers at large,
"Ffe amt never heard of Bernie
Feldman. He amt never heard OF
South Brooklyn. Oh, mol He don't
know anything about EN-. He's
just hirins my freaks away from
me cause he likes freaks around
the house" Here the large mar
was forced to pause and blow his
nose violently.
William leaned against the plat.
form.
II wonder" he said, "if you't
mind giving me the lowdown or
this?n
sMyi" An exasperated expires
sion came to rest on his opponent:
face. you're from Bernie Field
man an you've got the nerve Il
asst me for the lowdoWIl. Listen
YOU know as well as do that thai
dirty rotten skunk Bernie Field
man has been tryin' to pull tas
ones on me for the last twenty
years. sendin' buns like you ovel
to get my freaks SOS he can show
'em in his dump. Listenl When
had the Frog Faced Phantom
From PARKWAY France. what hap
pens7 Bernie sends q tramp Owe
here to sneak him away from me
An when the Wonder Woman
From Walls Walla. Washington
was working for me, what hap
pensf Bernie sends another tramI
over. An he tried to get the Howl
ing Horned Hyena too. FaughF ~
gestured in anger and disgust
can't get nothir' or nobody unles
Bernie Feldman sends some iui
like you over here to pull dirt,
work. An got q snootful or It
William surveyed him.
Bernie ought to send sonebod,
over to get that suit. he remarked
"Huh?"
ooh. nothingl ! only said that !
felt like rain"