Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-05-21
HEART OF THE WORLD.
BY H. RIDER HAGGARD.
a Strange Story, Taken From Manuscript Be-
Queattcd by an Old Mexican Indian to His
Friend and CoE,rade, English.
man Named Jones.
COPYRIGHTED. 1894. By H Rider Haggard
CHAPTER II.-CoNTINUEn

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'Don Ignatio. hardly like to ask
you, and 1 daresay that you will think
the offer beneath contempt, but are you
willing to accept an engagement? I
am sadly in need of submanager here,
3ne who could control the Indians, and
70 such a man I am prepared to pay one
hundred dollars a month; the funds of
the company / represent will not allow
me to offer MORE
thought for awhile, and answered:
Senor, the money is not enough to
tempt me, though it will serve to buy
food, lodging and cigars, but 1 accept
your offer for the same reason that I
Fought your battles this morning, be-
cause like you, and will gladly do nv
best to serve you and your interests.
Still must warn you that, for
aught L know, l may have to leave
your service at short notice, for nv
time Is not altogether my own. I also am
the servant of a great company, senior,
and though now l am on leave, as it
years, may be required at any mo-
ment.'
Thus it was that I entered the serv-
dee OF Senior James Strickland, or rather
of his company, in which I continued
for something more than a year, work.
1ng very hard, for the senior did not
spare either me or himself.
smelling works to the house, found
Se1or Strickland, with his chin rest
ing on his hand and an unlighted
cigar in his mouth, seated at table on
which lay an open letter. 1 asked him
what evil thing had happened.
Nothing particular, Ignatio," he an
Swered, 'but listen here" And he read
the letter aloud.
It was from the owners of the mine,
and this was the purport of it; that
the shaft had become choked with
wafer because of the incompetence and
neglect of the senior; that they, the
owners, hereby dismissed him sum
due, and, lastly, that they held him re-
sponsible in his own person for such
money as they had lost.
s'Surely," cried in wrath, when he
had finished. 'this letter was written
by a man without shame, and 1 pray
that he may find his grave in the stom-
Rchs of hogs and vultures!"
"DO not trouble, Ignatio," he said,
with a little smile, sit is the way of the
world. / have failed, and must take
the consequences. Had 1 succeeded
there would have been a different
story. Still I think that, if I ever meet
this man again, will kick him for tell
ing lies about me- Do you know, Ig-
natio, that, with the exception of one
thousand dollars which remain to my
credit in Mexico, have spent all my
own money that had saved upon this
mine, and of that one thousand dollars,
eight hundred dollars are due to you
for back pay, so whatever trade take
TO next I shall not begin as a rich
man."
t-Be silent, beg of you, senor," an
swered, 'sfor such words make my ears
burn. What am 1 also thief that
should rob you. you who have already
been plucked like fowl for the good
of others? Insult me once more by
such thoughts and will never forgive
you"
And left the house TO calm myself
by walking among the mountains, lit
tie knowing what 1 should hear before
entered it again.