was Jimmy if not cocky. It was as if he felt assured of a more enthusiastic welcome than he was accustomed to receive. Nevertheless, a shrewd observer would have noticed that he was evidently desirous of enhancing the attention of the bar. Striding somewhat pompously in the direction of the bar, he waved his hand with a lordly air in such a manner as to leave no room for questioning his purpose of entertaining his guests; the company, regardless of the expense that attached to the proceedings, he did not even pronounce the customary formula of invitation, but no one waited for that. Conversation was suspended. The man stepped immediately to his station and his assistant, jigging bottles and glasses, and the others lined up with their bellies against the bar, expectant and affable. Everything except the expectation being met in regard to the regulation, as it presently was, there remained a certain looking forward for the intelligence of doings in the outer world. Mr. Pepper, the principal purveyor of that. But even as they waited for information, Mr. Pepper waited to be asked for it, though they well knew he was able to burst open it. He did not impart it. So at length the old man said, "I am glad you have come."  I am willing to humor him, said
"Al I think the flirting on the river?"
"Oh, I don't know," said Mr. Popper.
"They're an excellent talk about that! That's the secret of what one lives at Jim's home."
That match," said the right man.
"They would be talk about what they're two royals of the same suit out on the same deal. Takes experts to today that away."
"Oh, I don't know," said Mr. Pepper. 