Argosy All-Story Weekly, June 27, 1925 — page 105: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a, “Ask him how much ke wants for jest one cup of water,” pleaded one booze fighter with a hang-over. Friday relayed the question. “Larry, they want to know how much ya’re askin’ fer a cup of that cool, sparkling, mountain. water.” “This here water,” the electrical mega- phone boomed, “' ain’t the kind of water you folks get every day. There ain’t any better water in the world than Yumpa City water. It’s fresh from the mountains. It’s pure. It’s cold. Some say it has highly valuable medicinal properties. “T’ve been drinkin’ it all. mornin’, and I’m willin’ to go on-record and say it’s the sweetest, purest, most refreshin’, most invig- oratin’ water I ever swallered. It moistens the lips, it wets the tongue, it cools the throat and it soothes the most fractious stummick. It’s high grade water, ladies and gents, and it’s bound to command a good stiff price in the market. And remember, ladies and gents, friends and fellow citizens, we're dealin’ now with th’ ironclad laws of supply and demand. I got the supply and you got the demand.” “Stop that idiotic meandering,” Judge Oglethorpe shrilled, ‘“‘ and tell us how much. you want for the water.” “Well, judge,” the distant bandit re- plied, “it all depends. Are you calculatin’ on purchasin’ some of this. water by the cup, the bucket, the tub, or the bar’? I’m willin’ to make a discount fer quantity. Fer a carload lot, I’m willin’ to say I’d do real well by you.” “‘ [—want—one—cup—of—water!” the judge choked out. ‘All right, your honor. It ‘ll cost you just two bucks, payable in advance.” Judge Oglethorpe threw his tin cup to the ground. His face was purple with his nsing fury. ‘‘T won’t be held up, you scurrilous young bandit!” he roared. “Tl pay you fifty cents for a full cup of water and not one damned cent more. ‘You can take it or leave it!” And the temper of the crowd upheld him. It was an outrage. It was downright rob- bery. Two bucks for an ornery little cup- ful of ordinary, everyday water! THROW UP YOUR HANDS. 901 Through the clamor penetrated the voice of the water dealer. “ What's the verdict, Friday?” ‘They won't do business at yore price, chief. Whut’re my orders?” “ Come on back to Dead Man’s Pass!” the bandit snapped. .‘* The deal’s off!” CHAPTER XXXIV. THE WATER PROFITEERS, . AIT a minute, pal!” W A delegation. composed of Big Sam Snarky, Black Dan Mac- Gillicuddy and Jim Rooney stepped up with gravity to Friday Pepper. ‘We'll do business with yore chief,” Jim Rooney announced briskly. “ We'll buy water in quantity and we'll pay spot cash. Ask him hew much he wants for a tubful.” Friday relayed this inquiry to his com-. mander and the answer came back without an instant’s delay. “Two hundred bucks! it.” “We'll. take it,” Jim Rooney snapped. “ Have yore superior fill that there tub to th’ brim. And yere’s yore money.” And he counted two hundred dollars into Fri- day’s extended palm. The three profiteers surrounded the water tub; sat down with drawn pistols with their backs to it, and waited for it to fill. When the tub was full, each of the three dipped into the tub with a cup. Black Dan MacGillicuddy smacked his lips. “Gawd!” he gasped. “ Ain't it deeli- cious!” The watchful onlookers groaned. Men cursed. - ‘« Jest as clear and sparklin’ as when it came out o’ that leetle brook!” Jim Rooney concurred. Big Sam Snarky sipped his water noisily, He sighed heavily between. sips. “Water!” he exclaimed. ‘ Pure, sweet, wholesome drinkin’ water at last!” Belle, the dance hall girl, screanted. She advanced upon Big Sam with imploring arms. “ Give us a drink, pardner!” Take it or leave CON () 1A@OO SS Co