Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-12-30

chances on you and all the Greasers in Me
Kavett. I'll give you silver for your gold;
and here in this sack is more money-white
and yellow-that you may have for the TAX
ing Don't be afraid of the guns-they are
never loaded-but sail in as soon as you can
raise your crowd and overtake me-"
The Mexican made no reply to this bland
bit of encouragement, but his snaky eyes
cleaned evilly from their covert of steel
gray brows, as they rested upon the plump
bucksiSin pouch nestled between the butts
of a heavy shotgun and a winchester rifle.
He was profuse in his thanks for the Amer.
leans kindness, but Wells only response
was a short grunt as be once more drew the
blankets closely around him and chirruped
to his not over-willing team.
1t was long drive to Menardville, and
longer one to the nearest railway station,
the point for which Wells was now heading.
Ever since the middle of November he had
been driving here and there among the scat
tered ranches, on a collecting trip for his
employers, prominent firm of San Antonio
merchants; and he was more than anxious
to get back to civilization once more. He
had been successful in his mission and had
RENTED several large sums by express; but
his collections had been heavy during the
last few days, and at least S, 0Oc, IN bills and
coin, were slowed away in his pockets and
in the buckskin bag at his feet. 1t was a
large sum of money and he naturally felt
the responsibility its possession involved.
John Wells was by no means a coward, but
he was perfectly acquainted with the coun-
try and its people, and knew that the chance
of acquiring one-tenth the amount he car
ried would be sufficient to prompt many Of
the latter to murder. He had been particu
larly struck with the villainous face and sus-
picious demeanor of the goat herder, and the
uneasiness aroused by the little incident of
the morning hung over him during the en-
tire day.
Without making his usual MONDAY halt,
he drove steadily on, occasionally gancing
back over the dim trail, in momentary ex-
pectation of finding himself pursued. How
ever, evening came without anything hav-
ing transpired TO increase his alarm, and an
hour before darkness closed down upon the
bleak plains he drew rein before the door
of lone ranch and, without the useless pre-
hminary of applying for accommodation,
began divesting his tired horses Of the har-
ness.
As he unlocked the tugs of the off horse,
a towbeaded urchin of eight or nine years
same strolling up from the nearby corral,
crept into the buggy seat and drew the
/. blankets over his head until only his boyish
face and sparkling eyes were visible.
What's your name, mister?" he asked,
with childlike directness.
Jack Wells. What's yoursw
Hank Grimm. I'm only Little Hank.
Old Hank is my gran paw, and he owns this
. ranch. The Mexicans call this Dos Botas
: Ranch cause gran'paw gives the two
boot brand Say, mister, do you know who
/ thought you mought be when you driv
. np?"
Couldn't guess"
81 thought mebbyit was Santa Claus, but
/. then allow he's got more whiskers'n you
have. SHn. he mought have shaved"
> Wells admitted that Santa Claus might
By. way Of change, conclude 70 make BIZ