“Good!” yelled the fat man. “Ha—ha—ha—ha—ha! ‘Downy couch’ is good. Best thing I ever heard. You are as good, by Gad, as you ever were. Never heard such impromptu wit. Texas is proud of you, old boy.”
“Good night, gentlemen,” said the solemn man. “I’ve got to get up early in the morning and go to work.”
“Hear that!” shouted the fat man. “Says he’s got to work. Ha—ha—ha—ha—ha!”
The whole crowd gave a parting roar of laughter as the solemn man walked to the door. He stopped for a moment and said: “Had a very (hic) pleasant evening (hic) gents. Hope’ll shee you (hic) ’n mornin’. Here’sh my card. Goo’ night.”
The fat man seized the card and shook the solemn man’s hand. When he had gone, he glanced at the card, and his face took on a serious frown.
“Gentlemen,” he said, “you all know who our friend is that we have been entertaining, don’t you?”
“Of course; you said it was Alex Sweet, the ‘Texas Siftings’ man.”
“So I understood,” said the fat man. “The hotel clerk said it was Alex Sweet.”
He handed them the card and skipped out the side door. The card read:
L. X. Wheat
Representing Kansas City
Smith and Jones Mo.
Wholesale Undertakers’ Supplies