Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1908-08-20

HE SCCCEEDED IN GETTING GRIP ON THE
WICKED LOOKING SHAFTS.
only knew that he had been so foolish
as TO play cards with acQuaintances Of
week and that 1t had served him
right to be stripped of all his posses
sionS.
Alvarez, one of the band, had felt
some pity for the victim and had tossed
hin Il ten dollar gold piece rs the ses-
sion broke up. Bert had made certain
of board and meals for a week at
less expensive hotel and then began to
plan to get back to the states.
lie knew better than to write asking
his father for assistance 1t would
only aggrayate his ofeensc that he had
sought help to eXtricate himself from
his dilemma. Daniel Burnside was OF
the self made ranks. and it was his
theory that it was we'll for youth to
take the bull by the horns. Bert was
too familiar with the favorite quota
tion to wire 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 he home as soon rs he anticipated,
and he could see with his mental vision
the grim smile that would play about
the old mans mouth as lie read the
bald statement ana guessed the rest.
lie would not care about the loss of
the money SO long as Bert showed
skill in getting out Of the scrape un-
aided
In the long run tie incident might
be to his advantage. Eoth his father
and Henry Picard We're 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 pock.
ct and descended TO the lobby of the
hotel, greasy and smoke stained
apartment which had been the parlor
OF a private residence before the quar-
ter fell into disrepute and the fine old
mansions were turned over to COM
merce.
new bill on the dingy wall attract
ed his attention. Several men were
gathered about IT, discussing the an
nouncement in animated tones. There
had been bullfight the previous Sun
day at which a new matadore had
gained especial favcr, and the bill an
his retention for second
Sunday.
Bert half turned away He could
not afford the dollar charged for the
grand stand or even the lesser price
for that part of the stand not shielded
lrom tne sun. Incu an Il announcement
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
so on his horns, will be turned into
The ring. The manager refuses to be
responsible for any injuries to anna
eurs"
"Rather dangerous" he suggested to
me of the bystanders. The Mexican
shrugged his shoulders.
mot so much as Is supposed, senor,"
he denied. THE fifth bull he is what
Tou call-more polite"
Gentle" suggested Bert. The Mexl.
ran nodded.
Even so," he agreed. "The bull he
IS more a gentleman. lie is not mind
ed to be so wild. Horses? They are
cheap, but even amateurs-it is not to
Kill, but to laugh at their awkward" ,
Bert nodded understandingly. He ,
was not unfamiliar with the amateur
lights" in the vaudeville theaters. >
This, no doubt, was the Mexican equiv :
llent This pet phrase of his fathers -,
Kept ringing in his ears: Take the bull :
)y the horns" ,,
And so it fell out that when Corclta :
chico had received the charga of Tho !,