The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-06-03
Bv DANE COOLIDGE

PARTNERS for two years now and he
never give nothing away yet! He
talks, but he don't forget himself. And
the way he ear palaver them Mexicans
Is q wonder"
VERY likely, very likely" agreed
Kruger, and then he sat a while In
silence.
I'VE got a few thousand dollars with
US, too" volunteered Bud at, last. I'm
a good worker, If that's what you want
and Phil, he's a mining engineer"
"Um-m," grunted Kruger, Juggling at
his beard, but he did not come out
with his proposal.
II tell you," he said at last. I'm
not doing much talking about this
proposition Of mine. It's a big thing,
and somebody might beat me to it.
You know what I am, 1 guess. I've
pulled Off some Of the biggest deals in
this country for a poor man, and I
don't make many mistakes-not about
mineral, anyway. And when I tell you
that this Is rich-you're talking with a
man that knows"
He fixed his shrewd, blue eyes on
the young mans open countenance
and waited for him to speak. q
That's right" he continued, as Bud
finally nodded non-committally; she's
sure rich. I've had an eye on this
proposition for years-just waiting for
the right time to come. And now it's
come! All / need Is the man. 1t
amt a dangerous undertaking-least-
wise I don't think 1t fs-but I got to
have somebody l can trust I'm willing
to pay you good wages, or I'll let you
In on the deal-but you'll have to go
down into Mexico"
"Nothin' doing!" responded Bud
with instant decision. "If it's in Ari-
IONA I'll talk to you, but no more Mex
leo for me. I've got something pretty
good down there myself, as far as that
goes"
Whats the matter?" inquired Kru-
ger, set back by the abrupt refusal;
"scared?"
Eyes, I'm scared" admitted Bud,
and he challenged the old man with
his eyes. .a .
Must have had a little trouble,
then?">
well. you might call 1t that" agreed
Bud. I'VE been on the dodge for q
month. A bunch Of revoltosos tried to
get our treasure, and when we skipped
out on 'em they tried to get u.s."
WELL" continued Kruger, this
proposition Of mine Is different You
was over in the Sierra Madres, where
the natives are bad. These Sonora
Mexicans amt like them chihuahua
fellers-they're A~mericanized. I'll tell
you, If 1t wasn't that the people would
know me I'd 60 down after this mine
myself. The country's perfectly quiet.
There's lots of Americans down there
yet, and they don't even know there is
a revolution. 1t ain't far from the rail-
road, you see, and that makes q lot OF
difference" '.
. He lowered his voice to a conf
Dental whisper as he revealed the ap-
proximate locality Of his bonanza, but
Bud remained u~nimpressed.
Eyes," he said, I'VE was near a rail.
road-the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. seemed
like them red-iaggers did nothing else
but burn bridges, and ditch supply
trains. When they finally hipped EN-
of the whole bunch took to the hills.
That's where we got it again."
WELL" argued Kruger. this rail-
road Of ours Is all right, and they run
a train over 1t every day. The con-
c~entrator at Fortuna"-he lowered his
voice again-"hasn't been shut down a
day, and you'll be within fifteen miles
of that town. No." he whispered; Il
could get a hundred Americans to go
In on this tomorrow, as fairs the revo-
lution's concerned. 1t amt dangerous,
but I want somebody I can trust"
Nope" pronounced Bud, rising pom
derously to his feet; III it was this
side the line I'd stay with you till the
hair slipped. on anything, but"
well, let's talk 1t over again some
time" urged Kruger, following him
along out ut amt often I get took
with a young Teller the way l was with
you, and l believe we can make 1t yet.
Where are you staying in town."
up at the Cochise," said Bud.
Come on with mel told my pardner
I'd meet him there"