“When I fust went inside that clubhouse I see 'twas bound to be 'Good-by, Bill,' for Jotham. His customers would shake his ratty old shanty for sartin, soon's they see them elegant new rooms. I swan, if I didn't feel sorry for the old reprobate, and, thinks I, I'll drop around and sympathize a little. Sympathy don't cost nothin', and Jotham's pretty good company. “I found him settin' alongside the peanut roaster, watchin' a couple of patients cruelize the pool table. “'Hello, Bailey!' says he. 'You surprise me. Ain't you 'fraid of catchin' somethin' in this ha'nt of sin? Have a chair, anyhow. And a cigar, won't you?' “I took the chair, but I steered off from the cigar, havin' had experience. Told him I guessed I'd use my pipe. He chuckled. “'Fur be it from me to find fault with your judgment,' he says. 'Terbacker does smoke better'n anything else, don't it.' “We set there and puffed for five minutes or so. Then he sort of jumped. “'What's up?' says I. “'Oh, nothin'!' he says. 'Bije Simmons got a ball in the pocket, that's all. Don't do that too often, Bije; I got a weak heart. Well, Bailey,' he adds, turnin' to me, 'Gabe's club's fixed up pretty fine, ain't it?' “'Why, yes,' I says; ''tis.' “'Finest ever I see,' says he. 'I told him so when I was in there.' “'What?' says I. 'You don't mean to say YOU'VE been in that clubroom?' “'Sartin. Why not? I want to take in all the shows there is--'specially the free ones. Make a good billiard room, that clubhouse would.' “I whistled. 'Whew!' says I. 'Didn't tell Gabe THAT, did you?' “He nodded. 'Yup,' says he. 'I told him.' “I whistled again. 'What answer did he make?' I asked. “'Oh, he wa'n't enthusiastic. Seemed to cal'late I'd better shut up my head and my shop along with it, afore he knocked off one and his club knocked out t'other.' “I pitied the old rascal; I couldn't help it. “'Jotham,' says I, 'I ain't the wust friend you've got in South Orham, even if I don't play pool much. If I was you I'd clear out of here and start somewheres else. You can't fight all the best folks in town.' “He didn't make no answer. Just kept on a-puffin'. I got up to go. Then he laid his hand on my sleeve. “'Bailey,' says he, 'when Betsy Mayo was ailin', her sister's tribe was all for the Faith Cure and her husband's relations was high for patent medicine. When the Faith Curists got to workin', in would come some of the patent mediciners and give 'em the bounce. And when THEY went home for the night, the Faithers would smash all the bottles. Finally they got so busy fightin' 'mong themselves that Betsy see she was gettin' no better fast, and sent for the reg'lar doctor. HE done the curin', and got the pay.' “'Well,' says I, 'what of it?' “'Nothin',' says he. 'Only I've been practisin' a considerable spell. So long. Come in again some time when it's dark and the respectable element can't see you.' “I went away thinkin' hard. And next mornin' I hunted up Gabe, and says I: