The Elbert County tribune., 1914-07-10

and other more elegantly dressed
but they all had . nod for Henry Kru-
ger. He was man OF mark, a. Bud
could see In minute; but II he had
other buaAness with those who hailed
him he let 1t pass and took out q rank
brier pips. which he puffsd while Bud
smoked . cigarette.
They were sitting together in a
friendly silence when Phil came out Of
the dining room. but a. he drew near
the old man nodded to Bud and went
over to speak to the clerk.
who was that old-timer you were
talking tor" inquired Phil. as he sank
down In the vacant chair Looks like
the-morning- after with him. don't itf"
"Um." grunted Bud; reckon It Is
Names Kruger"
'What-the mining manY''
That's right"
Well" exclaimed Phil, what In the
world was he talking to you about?"
"Oh. some kind OF a mining DEAL"
grumbied Bud. Wanted me to go
down into Mexicoi"
"Whatd you tell him3" challenged
the little man. sitting up suddenly in
his chair. Say, that old boys got
rocksl"
/, He can keep 'em for all of me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. You know
what think about Mexico"
Sure; but what was his PROPOSE
ton? What did he want you to dor"
Search mel He was mighty mys-
terious about It. Said he wanted a
man he could trust"
We'll. holy Moses, Budi" cried Phil,
wake up! Didn't you get his PROPOSE
tion7"
No. he wasn't talking about it. Said
1t was a good thing and he'd pay me
when he hollered Mexico / quit I've
| got a plenty"
Yes. but" the little man choked
and could say no more. We'll, you're
one Jim dandy business man, Bud
Hookeri" he burst out at last You'd
let"
We'll. what's the matter7" demand
ed Hooker defantly. DO you want to
| go back into Mexico7 Nor me, peitherl
What you kicking about?"
You might have led him on and
got the scheme. anyway. Maybe
there's a million In It. Come on, let's
go over and talk to him. I'd take a
chance. II It was good enough"
"Aw. don't be fool. Phil" urged
the cowboy plaintively. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to go in on 1t. Leave him alone and
he'll do something for us on this side.
oh. cripes. what's the matter with
you ~
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, "I'll make
you acquainted with Mr.. De LAncey.
my pardner. My names Hooker"
Glad to know you. Hooker" re-
sponded Kruger. shaking him by the
hand. "How'do. Mr.. De Lancey."
He gave Phil a 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 60 down
into Mexico" he began. drawing ap
closer while the old man watched him
from under his eyebrows. That's ono
tough country to do business in right
now. but at the same time"
THE country's perfectly quiet" put
In Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
We'll. maybe So" qualified Dc Lam
cey; but when 1t comes to getting in
supplies"
said the old man crabbedly. mot q
bit"
WELL" came back De Lancsy,
what's the matter. thenf What u
the proposition. anywayT
: Henry Kruger blinked and eyed him
intently.
i've stated the proposition to Hook.
err" he said. "and he refused 1t. ThatAu
enough, amt itf"
De Lancey laughed and turned away.
We'll. yes. / guess 1t ia." Then. in
passing. he said to Bud: go ahead
and talk to him."
He walked away. lighting q cigarette
and smiling good-naturedly, and the
old-timer turned to Bod.
That's q smart man you've got for
Partner" he remarked "A smart
man. You want to look out" be added.
"or he'll get away with you"
Nope, said Bud You don't know
him like do. He's straight as q disl
"A man can be straight and still get
away with you," observed the veteran
shrewdly. Yes, indeed" He paused
to let this bit OF wisdom sink TN, and
then he spoke again
You'd better quit-while you're
lucky" he suggested. You quit and
come with me-" he urged. and II we
strike 1t I'll make you q rich man. !
don't need your pardnsr on this deal.
need Just one man that can keep his
head shut. Listen now; I'll tel you