The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-09-11
IA SLIGHT
MISUNDERSTANDING
By HENRY IIUMISToN.

MANUEL, the fat bartender in
lW the Cafe Pasaje, looked sharp
ly at the two Americans leaning
against the bar, and when he was
sure that he was unobserved he called
his patron saint to witness, and then
spit viciously in the direction of the
hated Gringoes Outside the white
tropical sunlight danced in the de-
serted streets of La Sinceridad. A
soldier was sleeping in doorway,
and a small child, very airily attired,
peered curiously in at the door OF the
cafe at the two strangers. One OF the
Americans was tall and straight and
we'll groomed The other mans
clothes bore mute evidence to having
been slept in many times. The man
himself looked badly in need of a
shave; he was pale and nervous, and
smoked necessarily. lighting one
cigaret from the butt of the other.
Bob" said the tall American, Il
have heard all sorts of rumors. Did
you sell me out! AS man to man, as
fellow countrymen, beg of you to be
square with me now if you haven't
before. Let me know where / stand.
what l am to expect. Have you sold
me out?"
The man in the much worn Broad
way suit shrugged his shoulders.
Didn't you get the rifles you bought
of me?"
why, yes; my men have 1000
Mausers now. thanks to you.
But"
Didn't your gang get the cartridges
l put ashore from the fishing boat
last tuesday,"
Yes, we got the cartridges and the
two rapid fire guns that you brought
to us, too, although where you got
them 1 can't imagine" s5'z-7
you gave me an order for 1900
rifles and 100000 rounds of cartridges.
delivered the goods. You say you
got 'em What's the kick?"
Simply this" went on the other
man. Yea delivered the goods you
promised. But you are a filituster.
A filibuster / understand generally
plays fast and loose. He takes money
from all sides. l don't say you have
done this, but I've been told so. You
sold me guns. I'm told you've sold
guns and cartridges to Col Gonzales.
too Consequently he's ready to
strike a blow, and I've got to fight,
when l thought that by getting a we'll
equipped little army together Con
zales would be afraid to start any
trouble. 1 engaged you first You
were my agent. You had no right to
go into the employment of Gonzales.
But what could expect fiji"
Zone mans gold is as good as
another's, isn't it?" asked the fill
buster
Yes" answered the tail Ameri-
can, sulkily. Ito a man who doesn't
know what honor is"
I'm other words, flibAster,'' said
the short man.
Exactly
The disreputable man smiled sadly
and lit fresh cigaret.
There comes your other master. -
went on the tall American. There's
Gonzales. He doesn't know. perhaps
that you have been playing fast and
loose with us both. Why don't you
tell -hi4h? 1t will make no difference
though. If he is ready to fight, he'll
fight. l know what it means in the
end. 1t means ruin to me. that's all
If could have won out by that little
trick l was planning to turn on him
it would have settled everything. But
anyhow. played the man: wasn't
sneak and a coward that
t-Just cut that out for the time be-
ing" said the filibuster, here's Con
zales"
The colonel entered the cafe blink.
ing his eyes like an owl as he stepped
from the brilliantly lighted street into
the cool darkness of the cafe. HI
stopped in establishment when he saw
gether The filibuster called hin
over.
Colonel" said the filibuster. IN;
friend. Mr.. Martin, thought / ought tt
acquaint you with the fact that hav,
sold him 1000 stands of arms ant
cartridges to match"
The colonel shrugged his shoulders
II know it," he said briefly, For tina
am glad. He has what you cal
bluffed shall call that bluff. Their,
will be a pretty fight. am III,
stronger. / shall win. Is 1t not so9'
Colonel" said the tall American
sT am not coward. You know that
I'm willing to fight you to the las
ditch. But what's the use of KILN,
OF a lot of people? What's all tn
trouble about, anyhow? You. are go
ing to crush me because your daugh
ter loves me and l love her. You wan
to force her into marriage with