The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-08-27

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got to do is to trust him long enough
and you'll ind It out. Well. we're hep
to Mr.. Aragon, all right"
II never seen one of these polite,
palavering Mexicans yet" observed
bud sasely. that wasn't crooked. And
this Teller Aragon IL mean. to boot
But that's q game" he added. that
two can play at. don't know how you
feel. Phil, but we been kinder creeping
and slipping around so long that I'm
all cramped up inside. Never suffered
more In my life than the last sixty
days-being polite to that damn Mexi.
can. Now it's our turn Arc you
gamer
-Count me inis alsd Do Lanosy,
rising from his rock. WHATS the
play?"
We'll. well 60 into town pretty
soon." grinned Bud. "and II run
across old Aragon. or any one OF them
four bad Mexicans. I'm going to make
q show. And as for that big brindie
dog OF his-well. he's sure going to get
roped and drug II he don't mend
his ways. Come on. let's ketch up our
horses and go In for a little timel"
I'll 60 you'll" agreed Phil with en-
thusiasm. and half an hour later. each
on his favorite horse. they we're clat-
tering down the canyon. At the turn
Of the trail. where 1t swung into the
Arason lane. Bud took down his rope
and smiled In anticipation
You go on ahead" he said. shaking
out his loop. and III try to put the
catgut on Brindle."
"On like a FASH" answered De
Lancey. and. putting the spurs to his
hery bay. he went dashing down the
street, scattering chickens and hogs
In all directions. Behind came Bud.
rolling jovially In his saddle, and as
the dogs rushed out after his pardner
he twiried his loop once and laid It
skilfully across the big brindle's back.
But roping dogs Ii q difficult task at
best. and Bud was out OF practise. The
sudden blow struck Brindle to the
ground and the loop came away un-
filled. The Texan laughed. shifting in
his saddle.
Come again." commented Bud.
leaning sidewise as he coiled his rope.
and as the womenfolk and idlers came
rushing to see what had happened he
turned Copper Bottom In his tracks
and came back like a streak OF light.
Look out. you ugly mans dog!" he
shouted. whirling his rope as he rode;
and then. amid a chorus of indignant
protests. he chased the yelping Brindle
down the lane and through a hole in
the fence. Then. with no harm done.
he rode back up the street. smiling
amiably and looking for more dogs to
rope.
In the doc Of the store stood Ara
gon. pale with fury. but Bud appeared
not to see him. His eyes we're turned
rather toward the house where, on the
edge OF the veranda, Gracia Aragon
and her mother stood staring at his
antics.
Good morning to you. ladies'" he
saluted. taking OF his sombrero with
flourish: lovely weather. amt IT."
And with his tongue In his cheek and
a roguish glance at Aragon. who was
struck dumb by this last effrontery, he
went rollicking after his pardner. send
ing back a series OF joyous yips.
Now that sure does me good" he
confded to Phil. as they rode down
between csftonwoods and struck into
the muddy creek. mo sense In II. but
Il gets something out of my system
that has kept me from feeling glad.
Did you see me bowling to the ladiesf
Some class to that bow-nof You
want to look out got my eye on that
gal. and I'm sure q hard one to head.
Only thing is. l wouldn't like the old
man for a fatherin-law the way mat
tiers stand between US now"
He laughed bolsterously at this wit
ticism. and the little Mexican chill
dren. playing among the willows.
crouched and lay quiet like rabbits.
Along the sides OF the rocky hills.
where the poems had their midland
rock houses. mothers came anxiously
to open doors; and as they logged
along up the river the Chinese gar
deners. working In each separate nook
and eddy OF the storm washed creek
bed. stopped grubbing to gaze at them
wonder what's the matter with
them chinksi" observed Bud. when his
had ceased to effervesce;
they sit up like village of prairie
dogsl Whole country seems TO be on
the rubber neck. Must DO something
doing"
That's right" agreed Phil: did you
notice how those poems scattered when
! rode down the street, Maybe there's
been some insurrectos through. But
He stopped his horse. and In the
silence q buglecall came down the
wind from the direction Of Fortuna
"Soldierui" he said. Nov where
did they come FRONT was In Fortuna
day before yesterday. and-wsll. look
~ fnafls