The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-07-11
Looking to
Moline
n q a
Copyright, 1912. by Associated Literar,
Press.)
BY Colin S. Collins

Because they are not paid for and
I'm here to get the coin," said Hartley
Marvin with emphasis. you can let
the dead revolution bury Its dead-if
your trumpery revolutions over do
have any dead-but those guns are
still live issue"
Director Balamo sighed gently. The
day was warm, as was the argument.
He disliked warmth of any sort, else
he would have risen In his wrath, and
cast this importunate collector from
the palace door.
But to do that might involve some
unpleasantness with the diplomats and
Balamo we'll knew that the presence OF
a hostile gunboat In the harbor would
be made the excuse for revolution
that would be personally unpleasant to
himself.
you yourself agree that you sold
these rifles to that Molina" he re-
minded. III this Is SO. would 1t not be
as we'll to ask of him the payment?
Shall l give out of the treasure OF the
country to pay the private debts of
q traitorous revolutionary"
you've got the guns. haven't your
demanded Marvin brusquely.
81 have some guns" admitted Ba-
lamo automatically. THAT they are
your guns I do not know. When the
country rose In Ats might against the
extravaganza of the presidente and
made me dictator 1t was found that
there were many fine rifles. With those
we armed our troops. The guns are
the spoils of war. II Molina did not
pay for them, is 1t then my fault? 1t
Is to Molina that you should look for
your money"
And your friend Molina! Where Is
hep"
"Friendl" Balamo spat viciously at
the word. HE Is no friend, senior, as
you well know. Where he is know
not, but there Is Justice In San Cristo-
bal for all who come to the tribunal.
will give you a warrant for this Mo-
lima. Bring him to the bar Of Justice
and there bring suit You shall have
ample Justice"
In spite Of his anger Marvin smiled.
Molipa, the departed ruler. was fu-
gltive In the forests.
II think III accept that suggestion"
agreed Marvin rising. II suppose that
you look on the guns as spoils OF war,
but 1t would be better to pay for them
honestly instead of referring me to
Molina.
That is a threat?" asked Balamo.
Merely advice" was the lazy re-
sponse. II bid you good day, senior"
Marvin strobe from the courtyard.
where the interview had been held, and
headed for the Plaza Cristobal. where
the inhabitants of La Rosario were
wont to congregate in cafe.
To his surprise the cafe was crowd
ed with strangers and they all were
Enthusiastically from the States.
rs there a steamer in?" demanded
Marvin as he sank into a seat In q
corner where he could have a table
to himself
ut Is circus" explained the wait
er st Is but Just arrived and the
people, they are hungry and very
thirsty, so they come to the best place
to eat and drink"
ut seems to be mostly drink" de-
clared Marvin with a laugh. That l
may be in the fashion. bring me q
highball with lots of Ice"
The waiter hurried away to give the
order and Marvin was still wondering
at the size of the party when a hand
fell upon his shoulder and he turned
to look into the face of a gigantic fell
low. For moment he stared won
deringly into the twlnkling eyes, then
with a shout he was on his feet and
pounding the newcomer on the
back.
Joe Bardeen, by all that's great"
he cried. What good fortune brings
you down here?"
at looks more like bad fortune"
said Bardeen seriously as he sank
into a chair and pounded on the table
to attract the attention of the waiter
I'm the chaperon of this bunch of
artistic talent"
Your shown" asked Marvin How
did you come to get In the show bust
ness? thon1ht that you were con-
tent to stick 70 horse-raising In Ari-
IONA"
$50 l was" admitted Bardeen, but
chap talked me into Quitting his
Wild West Show, and then when the
show did bad business l had to ad-
vance some more money to get a
chance to be paid for what had fur
nished. Well, things ran on until the
frst thing you know l owned the
show and had to run 1t In the hope
of getting out clear"
TOO much for the country" de-
clared Marvin, and Bardeen nodded
his approval OF the opinion.
He's brought his wares to bad
market here" said Marvin. I'm
down here trying to get some money
for the guns that the last administra-
ton bought-before 1t became the
administration"
Bardeen smiled. There had been a
time when his adventurous nature
had sought the excitement of Central
and South America, and he knew the
people.
The old man is pretty good at col
Iections." he declared. Lets call
him over and have a talk. He's re-
tired from business, and he travels
with fhe ahnw for tho finn NJ n That'a