The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-03-21
THE EVENING STORY
Two Rings.
(By Epes w. Sargent

before him There were two dol
lars Mexican, an American coin of the
same denomination and double the
value, two Mexican halves and some
copper coins. His board was paid I'M
til the end of the week at the obscure
MOTEL to which he had removed when
MS funds gave out. After the week
was ended there was a tramp of more
than two thousand miles home, and
this must be his capital.
Bert had come down to Old Mexico
to look up some mines in which his
rather was interested. II was his first
important commission, and he had
been proud indeed when he had per-
celved the clever manner in which
| the mines had been sailed. He had
| reported the fact back home; then,
still having plenty of funds, he had
renamed on in the quaint old country
| until he had met the little knot of
good fellows at the Hotel Rio Grande.
That they feeced him of every cent
ne possessed in revenge for his dis
covery of the sailing of the mines was
something that Bert did not know He
only knew that he hau peen so fool
ish as to play cards with acquaint-
ances of week, and that it had
served him right to be stripped of all
his possessions.
Alvarez one of the band, had felt
some pity for the victim, and had
tossed him ten-dollar gold piece as
the session broke up. Bert had made
certain Of board and meals for a week
at less expensive hotel and then be-
gun to plan to get back to the states.
He knew better than to write ask
ing his father for assistance. 1t
would only aggravate his offenSe that
he had sought help to extricate him
self from his dilemma. Daniel Burn
side was of the self-made ranks, and
it was his theory that it was well for
youth to take the bull by the horns.
Bert was too familiar with the favor
lite quotation to write for money.
He did write Jessie Picard, the
daughter of his fathers partner, and
confessed freely his foolishness. To
his father he wrote only that he
would not be home as soon as he
anticipated, and he could see with his
mental vision the grim smile that
as he read the bald statement and
guessed the rest. He would not care
about the loss Of the money so long
as Bert showed skill in getting out of
the scrape unaided.
In the long run, the incident might
be to his advantage. Both his father
and Henry Picard were of the opinion
that the young people should wait at
least five years before being married.
If Bert should prove his ability to
take care Of himself. it might shorten
the period of probation.
With shrug of his shoulders he
dropped the coins back into his
pocket and descended TO the lobby of
the hotel; a greasy and smoke-stained
apartment which had been the parlor
of private residence before the quar-
ter fell into disrepute and the fine old
mansions were turned over to COM
MERGE.
A new bill on the dingy wall at
tracted his attention. several men
were gathered about it, discussing the
announcement in animated tones.
There had been a bull fight the prev
ious Sunday, at which a new mata-
dore had gained especial favor, and
the bill announced his retention for
a second Sunday.
Bert half turned away. He could
grandstand, or even the lesser price
for that part Of the stand not shielded
from the sun. Then an announce
ment near the bottom of the bill
caught his eye.
Beneath the announcement that
four black bulls from Tayagua would
be fought to the death. and that
Corcita Chico would receive the
charge of the bull kneeling, came the
lines:
"a fifth bull for the volunteers.
with $40 on his horns. will be turned
into the ring. The manager refuses
to be responsible for any injuries to
amateurs"
'.Rather dangerous" he suggested
to one Of the bystanders. The Mexi-
can shrugged his shoulders.
mot so much as is supposed,
senor," he denied. 1.-THE fifth bull he
is what you call-more polite"
"Gentle?' suggested Bert The
Mexican nodded.
Even so," he agreed. 1.-THE bull he
is more gentleman. He is not minded
to be so wild. Horses? They are cheap,
but even amateurs-it is not to kill, but
to laugh at their awkward"
Bert nodded Understandings. He was
not unfamiliar with the amateur
nights" in the vaudeville theaters. This,
no doubt, was the Mexican equivalent.
That pet phrase of his fathers kept
ringing in his ears: Take the bull by
the horns"
Chico had received the charge OF the
fourth bull lightly poised upon one
knee and the dead bull had been drag
ged from the ring, the arena was turn
ed over to score of young Mexicans-
A. the trumpet's blare the gate was
opened and the fifth bull bounded Into
the ring. Like his predecessor he was
a black bull from Tayagua, but he was
no fighter Twice on other Gays ne
had been sent into the ring. to be Kissed
ont again because he provided SUCH
tame sport against the trained ngnters'
hut he was lively enough for the anna
ta,,rs and was less likely to fnf11ct ser
ious injury.
Corcita's staff lounged about the
arena with their capes over their arms
ready to rush In and distract the aften-
tion of the bull from prostrate anna
teur. but most OF the young men were