Page:Herr Glessner Creel - Tricks of the Press (1911).djvu/35

 When the bartender set a cocktail before him the Harelip said.

"Ave one yourself. Nake one on me."

"Well," said the other, "you're a pretty good fellow. I'll just take one on you."

When they finished, the Harelip said:

"Nust till 'em up again. old 'port."

"What? Again!"

"Nure thing," said the patron. "It's on me. I'm buying."

So they had a second round. When the glasses were emptied this time the Harelip said:

"Now, nen, old 'port, I ju't tell you what I'll do. I'll vlip you to nee pays for 'em."

"You'll flip me to see who pays for them?" yelled the bartender.

"Nure! Nure thing," replied the other. "Be a 'port."

"Well, you've got a nerve! However, I'll flip you."

Taking a coin from the till, the man behind the bar tossed it, caught it in his left palm and covered it with his right.

"Now, then, what do yon take?" he asked.

"Wha-a-z."

"What is it?"

"Wha-a-z."

"I—I beg your pardon. I don't understand. Say it slowly. Do you take heads or tails?"

"Wha-a-z, wha-a-z. Can't you un'er'tand English? I n'ay I wha-a-a."

In desperation the saloon man uncovered the piece, pointed to the side uppermost, and said:

"Say, Bill, is dat what you mean?"

"N'at's it!" shouted the Harelip. "N'at's it!"