He very nearly got me, too, and right there I learned a lesson about him--became a wiser, a more skilful drinker.

I learned there were limits to my gorgeous constitution, and that there were no limits to John Barleycorn.

I learned that in a short hour or two he could master my strong head, my broad shoulders and deep chest, put me on my back, and with a devil's grip on my throat proceed to choke the life out of me.
Nelson and I were sitting in the Overland House.

It was early in the evening, and the only reason we were there was because we were broke and it was election time.

You see, in election time local politicians, aspirants for office, have a way of making the rounds of the saloons to get votes.