Gilpin observer., 1914-08-13

attend to their shipping; mining men,
Just as they had como from the hills:
and others more elegantly dressed
but they all had = nod for Henry Kru-
ger He was a man OF mark, as Bud
could $50 in minute; bat II he had
other b4sfness with those who hailed
him he tst It pass and took ost rank
bsasr pipe. which he pu1ed vAfls Bad
smOhsd . cigarette.
Thsg were Att1ng together In q
friendly stlsoos when Phil came out Of
The dining room. bst - be drew near
the Cd man noo6ed 10 Bud and went
ovse to speak 10 he olsrk.
WAo vas that o2d-timer yua weeO
talking tor inquired Phil. a. hs sank
down In tie vacant chair. Looks Ike
the-morntns-aftsr with him, don't Mf'
"Um." srunted Bud: reckon It -
Namsb Kruger"
"WhaA-the mining msnf
That's right"
Well" exclaimed Phil, what in the
world was he talking to you about?"
~Oh. some kind of mining daal."
grumbled Bud. Wanted me 10 60
down into Mexico!"
"What'd you tell himf" challenged
tho little man, sitting up suddenly In
his chair. Say. that old boys got
rocks!"
He can keep 'em for all of ma" OBJ
served Bud comfortably You know
what i think about Mexico"
Sure: but what was his PROPOSE
ton! What did he want you to dot"
Search me! He was mighty mye
man he could trust"
We'll. holy Moses. Bud!- cried Phil.
wake up! Didn't you get his proposa-
tion?"
No. he wasn't talking about it Said
1t was a good thing and he'd pay me-
well, or let me In on the deal; but
when he hollered Mexico l quit I've
got a plenty"
Yes, but" the little man choksd
one Jim dandy business man, Bud
Hooker!" he burst out at last You'd
let"
We'll, what's the matter?" demand
ed Hooker defiantly. DO you want to
60 back into Mexico? Nor me. neither! /!
What you kicking aboutr'
You might have led him on and
got the scheme, anyway. Maybe
there's a million in It Come ON, lets
go over and talk to him. I'd take .
chance, II II was good enough"
"Aw. don't be a fool. Phil urged
the cowboy piainively. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to go in on it. Leave him alone and
he'll do something for US on this side.
Oh. cripes, what's the matter with
your"
He heaved himself reluctantly up
out of his chair and moved over to
where Kruger was sitting.
"Mr. Kruger" he said. as the Old
man turned to meet him, -I1l make
you acquainted with Mr.. De Lancey.
my pardner. My names Hooker"
Glad to know you. Hooker" re
sponded Kruger. shaking him by tho
hand. "How'do, Mr.. De Lancey."
He gave Phil q rather crusty nod a.
he spoke. but De Lancey was dragging
up another chair and failed to notice.
Mr.. Hooker was telling me about
some proposition you had. to go down
into Mexico" he began. drawing up
closer while the old man watched him
from under his eyebrows That's one
tough country to do business in right
now. but at the same time"
The country's perfectly quiet" put
in Kruger@-perfecuy quiet"
Well. maybe So" qualified Do Ian
cey; but when 1t comes TO getting in
supplies"
Not a bit Of trouble in the void. :"
bit"
We'll" came back Do Lancsy.
what's the matter. then! What -
the proposition. anyway"
Henry Kruger blinked and eyed htn
intently.
i've stated the proposition to Hook
err" he said. "and he refused It. That's
enough. amt IT."
De Lancey laughed and turned avay.
Well. yes, l guess 1t n" Then. In
passing. he said TO Bud 60 ahead
and talk to him"
He walked away, lighting . cigarette
and smiling Sood-nAturedly, ana n
old-timer turned to Bud.
That's a smart man you've got Tor
pardner." he remarked. "A smart
man. You want to look out." hs addsA.
"or he'll get away with you"
Nope said Bud. You don't know
him like do. He's straight AZ q die.
"A man can be straight and stn 81
away with you," observed the veteran
shrewdly. Yes, indeed" He paused
to let this bit of wisdom sink IN, and
then he spoke again.
You'd better qutt-whils you're
lucky he suggested. -You quit an1
come with me-" he urged. and II W
strike 1t I'll make you . rich man.
don't need your pardnar on this deal
| 7 naAd tliaf OnA man that can ka0o -