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INTRODUCTION
"Gentlemen!" he announced, impressively, "you are
about to witness the birth of a new beverage!"
A sigh of anticipation arose from the assemblage,and with
one accord the mass of men moved forward, respectfully,
until they stood five deep before the bar, with the bewhis-
kered giant, still booted,in the front rank. Professor Thomas
smiled, and quietly poured a tumblerful of Scotch whiskey
into one of the mugs,following with a slightly smaller quan
tity of boiling water. Then, with an evil-smelling sulphur
match, he ignited the liquid, and as the blue flame shot
toward the ceiling and the crowd shrank back in awe, he
hurled the blazing mixture back and forth between the two
mugs, with a rapidity and a dexterity that were well nigh
unbelievable. This amazing spectacle continued in full move
ment for perhaps ten seconds, and then Professor Thomas
quickly poured the beverage into a tumbler and smothered
the
flame.Hestirred a teaspoonful of pulverized white sugar
into the mixture, added a twist of lemon peel, and shoved
the smoking concoction across the bar to the booted and
bewhiskered giant.
"Sir!" said Professor Thomas, bowing, "The Blue
Blazer!"
The boastful miner threw his head back and flung the
boiling drink down his throat. He stood motionless for a
moment, smacking his lips and tasting the full flavor of it,
and then a startled expression spread over his face. He
swayed like a reed in the wind. He shivered from head to
foot. His teeth rattled. He batted his eyes. His mouth opened
and closed, but he could say nothing. He sank slowly into a
chair. He was no longer fit to be tied.
"He done it!"he whispered at last."Right down to my
gizzard! Yes, sir, right down to my gizzard! Yes, sir, right
down to my gizzard!"
He staggered to his feet, flung a bag of gold dust upon the
bar and wandered unsteadily into the night; and thereafter
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