The Phonograph and the Graft

           "Whatwasthisgraft?"askedJohnny,withtheimpatienceofthegreatpublictowhomtalesaretold.

           "’Tiscontrarytoartandphilosophytogiveyoutheinformation,"saidKeogh,calmly."Theartofnarrativeconsistsinconcealingfromyouraudienceeverythingitwantstoknowuntilafteryouexposeyourfavouriteopinionsontopicsforeigntothesubject.Agoodstoryislikeabitterpillwiththesugarcoatinginsideofit.Iwillbegin,ifyouplease,withahoroscopelocatedintheCherokeeNation;andendwithamoraltuneonthephonograph.

           "MeandHenryHorsecollarbroughtthefirstphonographtothiscountry.Henrywasaquarter-breed,quarter-backCherokee,educatedEastintheidiomsoffootball,andWestincontrabandwhisky,andagentleman,thesameasyouandme.Hewaseasyandrompinginhisways;amanaboutsixfoot,withakindofrubber-tiremovement.Yes,hewasalittlemanaboutfivefootfive,orfivefooteleven.Hewaswhatyouwouldcallamediumtallmanofaveragesmallness.Henryhadquitcollegeonce,andtheMuscogeejailthreetimes—thelast-namedinstitutiononaccountofintroducingandsellingwhiskyintheterritories.HenryHorsecollarneverletanycigarstorescomeupandstandbehindhim.Hedidn’tbelongtothattribeofIndians.

           "HenryandmemetatTexarkana,andfiguredoutthisphonographscheme.Hehad$360whichcametohimoutofalandallotmentinthereservation.IhadrundownfromLittleRockonaccountofadistressfulsceneIhadwitnessedonthestreetthere.