on a little Side-Show of
its own.
Along at the gateway of the 20th Century, every undersized Hamlet
shown in the Atlas became seized with a Desire to throw on City Lugs.
The same Father who had marked the Talmage Book for Elmer became
Chairman of the House Committee in a Club which undertook to serve
anything usually found on either side of a Cash Register.
Being in the heart of the Residence District, this select Organization
could not obtain a regular License.
However, having the moral support of the Best People, it maintained a
Blind Pig.
The combination of Blind Pig, two playful Kitties up-stairs, and a lot
of gay Dogs spread out on the upholstered Chairs, certainly proved to
be some Menagerie.
It was a matter of Pride with the Members that the Colored Boy could
shake up anything known to the Regular Trade at the Knickerbocker or
the Plaza.
One of their main Delights, also, was to welcome the Stranger, who
thought he was sojourning among the Rubes, and lead him into the
Roodle Department, the purpose being to get him out on a Limb and then
saw off the Limb.
Poker was written in a Small Town. The Hay-Mow Graduate with a limited
Income, who counts up every Night and sets aside so much for Wheat
Cakes, can hold them closer to his Bosom and play them tighter than
any Shark that ever floated down the Mississippi.
The newcomer who tried to be Liberal usually went home in his Stocking
Feet.
Day by Day the Progressive Element in the Community widened its
Horizon, and the Country Club became a Necessity.
The 9-hole Course was laid out by a Scotch Professional, and every
Locker contained something besides Clubs.
When the Church Bells were ding-donging at 10 A.M. on Sunday, the
former Teacher of the Bible Class and the backsliding Basso of the
Choir would be zig-zagging around the Links, the Stake being a Ball a
Hole.
Elmer's Father became a Demon with the Irons and had his Name engraved
on a Consolation Cup.
Simultaneous with the Golf Epidemic, a good many Families that could
not afford Kitchen Cabinets began to glide around in red Touring-Cars.
Any one smelling the Blue Smoke along Main Street and then looking
both ways before dashing across to the Drug Store was compelled to
admit that the Jays had awakened from their Long Sleep.
Refined Vawdyville was on tap daily, and the Children of those who
were only moderately well-to-do knew all the latest improper Songs.
While the men were c
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