The Lamar register., 1909-09-29
The Method of
Cross Eyed Moses
BY MARVIN DANA
(copyrlght. by J. B. Lippincott Coz

Copyright. by J. b. Lippincott Coz
had thought it hot in Missouri:
realized my mistake when | got to
Kansas, for that summer the plains
were one long torrid torment.
Besides. in Missouri / had had a
little money; in Kansas | had none.
Money will assuage, to some extent.
the sutferings of almost any situation.
and now | was without a penny.
My one relief was the distraction
offered by Moses eyes. Our mutual
misfortune as to funds drew us to-
gether the first day we met In the
rude village that afterwards developed
inio Topeka, and at once | found a
weird fascination in those eyes. Moses
was the most cross-eyed man | ever
saw His protruding blue orbs were
miracles of askewness. am thus en-
phatic in reference to Moses eyes be
cause their popularity helped to save
us in a crisis.
One day, when ! was hungry and
hopeless as usual, Moses spoke for
lornly:
It's the bones for us, Waite"
At nISt INSTRUMENTATION Hllu-
you mean. we're to go bone-gath
ering?" l asked.
That's it," Moses replied. Then
silence fell on us.
AT that period in the history of Kan
sas bones in abundance were strewr
over the prairies, relics OF herds
caught in the relentless clutch of win
ter billiards or summer drouths, and
too. OF the innumerable single vic
Tins OF the inevitable death.
Big Mike. who ran the largest
saloon In the town. was always ready
for any business venture that offered
. quick profit, and the opportunity
for traffic in these bones had an
pealed to him. Already he had dealt
I'm them. and had shipped several car
loads gathered for him by the impe-
cunious. Now. we found him ready
to make us liberal offer. He agreed
to provide us with a wagon and oxen,
and to give US board and lodging dur
ing the period of the work. with a
cash payment for the lot when we
were done. The payment. $3.50. would
be due only when we had collected
hht VI Call odab ItQulItu.
These preliminaries completed, we
began the work. For weeks we lived
through the same monotonous druid
gerry OF suffering day after day. We
drove the numbering. patient yoke OF
oxen afar over the prairie, loaded the
great wagon with a motley assert
ment Of bones; then, as evening drew
on, returned to the town. and unloaded
the mass on the ground beside the
railroad track at the freight station.
Often It was midnight before we had
finished our labors.
Another weoa'll finish it." Big Mike
had said. at last. after an inspection.
Now that week had passed. II was
eight o'clock on Saturday night. and
We had Just returned to our lodging
after unloading the last of the bones.
had completed my toilet, which
consisted Of . bath and putting on
again the clothes I had taken OF.
Moses. who had stopped for a pipe
before changing In like manner, called
70 me:
Il say. waite!-
well. what il it," I asked.
You slip over to Mikes and get our
money" Moses directed. by the
time you're back I'll be ready. and
then we can catch the train going
east"
'All right" l agreed.
There was the usual Saturday crowd
In the saloon when I entered. A long
line of thirsty men touched elbows
at the bar. behind which the pro-
prietor and his single helper we're
hurrying to and fro in anxious effort
to satisfy all demands. | made my
way to that end OF the bar nearer Big
Mike. and awaited an opportunity to
attract his attention.
Presently he came close to me, and
! spoke to him.
He turned at once. and answered
sharply:
What is Il? Hurry up. I'm busy"
I was angered at his tone, but / have
learend not to take offense needless.
E l replied quietly:
I've come for the money for the
bones. We want to get the train
east"
Big Mike came little closer to me.
There was a savage scowl on his
face.
Say that again." he cried.
grew angry at that. angry and
vaguely alarmed. But / restrained
myself from any display of emotion
and repeated my statement
I've come for the money for the
bones for Moses and me-s250"
By this time the crowd in the bar