The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-05-07

"lla, you are q faithful agent,
Scraggs. Always got my interests in
mind, and forever studying out some
plan for advancing them. What new
scheme are you working up now?"
Il am not working up any scheme,
Mr.. Pearson"
Yet you were thinking of me. How
does that ccmc?"
Il was thinking of you in an entirely
different connection"
What connection, then?"
why, in connection with those
Greens. 1t has come across nv mind
hat there is some deep purpose in your
action"
''ila, ha! Is it possible that Scraggs
has got his mind off financial matters
long enough to let thought of some
thing so foreign creep in? Come,
Scraggs, stick to the per cent. and the
commissions, and don't go to muddling
your brain about things that don't
N'Al1N- "a y va tiiiNl tAittI w III utNtI pun a
dollar in your pocket. 1t amt in your
line, Scraggs, and you'd better let it
alone"
Ordinarily, Pearson, l don't meddle
much with things that don't directly,
concern me- | am counted hcartless
and unfeeling, and have been cursed,
from Dan TO Beersheba by everybody
who has had any dealings with me, and
as general thing people are not to
blame. They have had room for swear
ing, and not knowing that there was a
monkey in the case are not to blame
for swearing at the cat whose paw has
been used to rake the chestnuts from
the fire. But suppose / ought not to
complain. am paid for my work, and
it is my duty to shoulder the blame that
attaches to it and take the curses it
brings down on my head. Anyhow, 1
am willing to go on with that; but am
not willing to be a party to a worse
crime, and, by George, l won't be. !
say, won't be, and | mean it,"
"Are you through with your sermon,
Scraggs?"
''For the present, yes"
"Then may ask what deep crime you
refuse to be party TOP"
Eyes, you may. It's the crime you
contemplate against those Greens; or
rather against Green's girl"
Pearson's face flushed and spark Of
anger lighted his eyes. For an instant
he gazed steadily at Scraggs, then slow
ly let his glance fall to the floor 1t was
some time before he spoke, and when he
did he said:
"Mr. Scraggs, are you aware what
your words imply?"
"a am, most certainly" replied
Scraggs, "and they imply nothing but
the truth. l am not fool enough to
think that your actions towards Green
mean anything good. 1t would be
hard enough to believe that if your con-
duet in his presence was the only thing
to go by. 1t is not likely that you
would interest yourself IN anyone's be-
half, unless you had a selfish motive be-
hind it. 1t is not in your nature. But
what makes your purpose more APP
parent is the fact that while you are
making pretense of fevoring Green,
you are coming in here and command
ing me to bear down on him. At my
expense you are working yourself into
his good graces, and at the same time
getting him deeper and deeper into your
tolls. | know you, and | know your
purpose, Pearson, and | denounce it,
Furthur, refuse to be party to it. 1t
is all right to rob and plumber these
people with eXorbitant interest, and to
break them up with wild speculations,
and so long as it stops at that, | will go
with you; but when it comes to an at
tempt to trap that innocent girl I'm out"
The young mans face changed color
alternately as he listened to this speech.
One moment it was livid with anger
and the next flushed with a sense of
shame. Once or twice he made gestures
for Scraggs to stop, but the agent went
on to the end
"Well, Mr.. Scraggs," Harry replied
after a short silence, 81 don't admit
anything you have charged, but say you
are correct, and it must be acllnowl-
edged that you are not above reproach
Your virtuous Indignation don't com
mence quite soon enough. 1t begins
where the profits leave off. In other
words you are willing to condone my
crimes, as you choose to call them, and
even assist me in executing them, as
long as there is money in it to you. But
the moment they cease to bring a inan-
cial return to your pocket you get ter
ribly down on them. You are willing
to help rob and plundcr' the settlers
because it pays yoa, but there is no
profit in trapping the girl, so your vir-
tuous soul revolts at the idea. That is
the size Of your honor, Scraggs."
81 admit that appearances do seem
against me, Pearson, for after being a
tool in your hands so long" said
Scraggs with emphasis, sit would be a
miracle if had an honorable impulse
left in my bosom. But miracle as it is,
bouo 4, e,,o ~ oF