Jackson County journal. (Sylva, N.C.) 19??-19??, 1914-05-22

and Phil, he's q mining engineer"
"Um-m," grunted Kruger, tugging at
his beard, but he did not come out
with his proposal
1 tell YOU" he said at last. I'm
not doing much talking about this
proposition of mine. It's big thing,
and somebody might beat me to it.
You know what I am, / guess. I've
pulled OF some Of the biggest deals In
this country for poor man, and /
don't make many mistakes-not about |
mineral, anyway. And when tell you |
that this is rich-you're talking with |
man that knows"
He fixed his shrewd, blue eyes on
the young mans open countenance
and waited for him to speak.
That's right" he continued, as Bud
nnally 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 I need is the man. It
ain't dangerous undertaking least
wise don't think it is-but got to
have somebody can trust I'm willing
to pay you good wages. or I'll let you
In on the dealEbut 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.
Must have had a little trouble,
then?"
well, you might call it that" agreed
Bud. 1--WE 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 Sonors
= Mexicans amt like them chihuahua
fellers-they're Americanized. I'll tel
. you, If it wasn't that the people woult
know me I'd go down after this min'
myself. The country's perfectly quiet
There's lots of Americans down Their
,, yet, and they don't even know there i
a revolution. It amt far from the raj
road, you see, and that makes a lot O
difference"
!, He lowered his voice TO a conf
Dental whisper as he revealed the al
proximate locality OF his bonanza, bu
Bud remained unimpressed.
YES" he said, 1--WE was near raj
road-the Northwestern-and SCENE
like them red-faggers did nothing els
% but burn bridges and ditch suppl
trains. When they finally whipped 'el
y off the whole bunch took to the hill
~ That's where we got it again.
- WELL" argued Kruger, "this raj
l., road of ours is all right, and they ru
:. - a train over it every day. The COZ
centrator at Fortunate. lowered h
voice again-"hasn't been shut down
~, day, and you'll be within fifteen mile
- of that town. No." he whispered;
,, could get hundred Americans to 6
-. !, in on this tomorrow, as fairs the rev
~ lution's concerned. 1t amt dangerou
=. but / want somebody / can trust"
~ Nope" pronounced Bud, rising po
- derously to his feet; ''if it was tn
~ side the line I'd stay with you till tt
~ hair slipped, on anything, but
~ well, let's talk it over again son
30 time," urged Kruger, following hi
20 along out. ct amt often get TOT
~ with a young teller the way was wi
you, and believe we can make it "
81, Where are you staying i'll town."
ch up at the Cochise," said Blu
IN Come on with mel told my pardn
o. I'd meet him there"
They turned up the broad ma
~ street and passed in through the p
Ith ished stone portals of the Cochise,
q hotel so spacious in it's interior and
wa richly appointed in its furnishings tn
on New Yorker, waking up there, mig
easily imagine himself on Fifth az
nd nue..
Me It was hardly a place to be look
ON for in the West, and as Bud led t
ne. way across the echoing lobby to p'
we of stuffed chairs he had a vague fe
ing of being In church. Stained-gla
of windows above the winding stairwa
vlv let in a soft light, and on the tow
Ing ing pillars OF marble were emDiazon
,re. prickly-pears as an emblem OF
md West. From the darkened balloon