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

the old man nodded to Bud and went
over to speak to the clerk.
who was that old-timer you were
talking to-" inquired Phil, as he sank
down In the vacant chair. Looks like
the-morning-after with him, don't ftf'
"Um," grunted Bud; reckon It il.
Names Kruger"
"What-the mining mani"
That's right"
world was he talking to you about?"
"Oh, some kind OF a mining DEAL"
grumbled Bud. Wanted me to 60
down into Mexico!"
"What'd you tell him." challenged
the little man, sitting up suddenly In
his chair. Say, that old boys got
rocks!"
He can keep 'em for all of me-" OBJ
i served Bud comfortably. "You know
what think about Mexico"
Sure; but what was his PROPOSE
ton? What did he want you to do?"
Search me! He was mighty mys-
ferrous about it. Said he wanted .
man he could trust."
We'll, holy Moses, Bud!" cried Phil,
wake up! Didn't you get his PROPOSE
tion?"
mo, he wasn't talking about 1t. Said
it was good thing and he'd pay mo
WELL or let me in on the deal; but
when he hollered Mexico / quit. I've
got plenty"
Eyes, but" the little man choked
and could say no more. We'll. you're
one Jim dandy business man, Bud
Hooker!" he burst out at last You'd
let"
well. what's the matter?" demand
ed Hooker def1antly. do you want to
go back into Mexico? Nor me, neither!
; What you kicking about?"
you might have led him on and
got the scheme. anyway. Maybe
: there's million in it. Come on, let's
. go over and talk to him. I'd take a
chance, II 1t was good enough"
Jaw, don't be a fool, Phil" urged
:. the cowboy plaintively. 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"
a He heaved himself reluctantly up
q out of his chair and moved over to
!, where Kruger was sitting.
"Mr. Kruger" he said, as the old
e man turned to meet him, "I1l make
T.. you acquainted with Mr.. De Lancey.
% my pardner. My names Hooker"
- "Glad to know you. Hooker" re-
u. sponded Kruger. shaking him by the
d hand. "How'do, Mr.. De Lancey."
He gave Phil rather crusty nod "a
u he spoke, but De Lancey was dragging
p up another chair and failed to notice
Ut "Mr Hooker was telling me about
some proposition you had, to go down
IL into Mexico" he began, drawing w
cd closer while the old man watched him
Sc from under his eyebrows. That's one
ly tough country to do business in right
m now, but at the same time"
Is. 'The country's perfectly quiet" put
in Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
il well, maybe So" qualified De Lam
In cey; "but when it comes to getting In
m supplies"
lis mot a bit of trouble in the world,
a said the old man crabbedly. mot {
es Bit
~ Well" came back De Lancey
go what's the matter, then? What Il
70 the proposition, anyway"
Is, Henry Kruger blinked and eyed hin
intently.
IN 1--WE stated the proposition to Hook
lis err" he said, land he refused it. That
he enough, amt it?"
De Lancey laughed and turned away
ne well, yes, 1 guess it is" Then, Il
i'm passing, he said to Bud: go ahea
ok and talk to him.
It'll He walked away, lighting cigarett
ct. and smiling good-naturedly, and tn
old-timer turned to Bud.
I'd. That's a smart man you've got 70
Ter pardner," he remarked. "A smal
man. You want to look out" he addet
ain cor he'll get away with YOU"
,ol- Nope said Bud. "You don't kno'
q him like do. He's straight as die
81 "A man can be straight and still q
hat away with you," observed the vetera
yht shrewdly. "Yes, indeed" He pause
We to let this bit of wisdom sink In, an
then he spoke again.
rod you'd better quit-while you'l
tbe lucky" he suggested. "You quit an
or come with me-" he urged, "and If "
DOL. strike it I'll make you rich man.
oss don't need your pardner on this dec
.v. l need just one man that can keep
-. head shut. Listen now; I'll tell "