The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-07-09

smoked cigarette.
They we're sitting together In a
friendly silence when Phil came out OF
the dining room, but as 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 itr
"Um," grunted Bud: reckon II Is.
Names Kruger"
"What-the mining man7"
That's right"
world was he talking to you about'"
"Oh, some kind Of a mining deal"
grumbled Bud Wanted me TO go
down into Mexicoi"
"What'd you tell him1" challenged
the little man, sitting up suddenly In
his chair. Say. that old boys got
rocksl"
HE can keep EN- for all OF me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. You know
what I think about Mexico"
Sure: but what was his PROPOSE.
tionl What did he want you to dol"
Search me! lie was mighty mys
FERROUS about H. Said he wanted q
man he could trust"
We'll. holy Moses, Budl" cried Phil.
wake up! Didn't you get his PROPOSE
tom"
No. he wasn't talking about II. Said
II was a good thing and he'd pay me
well. or let me In on the deal: but
when he hollered Mexico I quit I've
got plenty"
Yes. 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 matterf" demand
ed Hooker defiantly. DO you want to
go back into Mexicof Nor me, neitherl
What you kicking aboutf"
You might have led him on and
got the scheme. anyway. Maybe
there's q million In II. Come on. let's
60 over and talk to him. I'D take q
chance. II 1t was good enough"
"Aw. don't be q fool. Phil" urged
the cowboy plaintively. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless We want
to 90 in on II. 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 the
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 20 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, Dut ~ tue Same tImt-
The country's perfectly quiet" put
In Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
We'll. maybe So" qualified De Lam
cey; but when II comes to getting In
supplies"
Not bit Of trouble In the world"
said the old man crabbedly. mot q
bit"
WELL" came back Dc Lancey.
what's the matter. then? What 10
the proposition. anyway"
Henry Kruger blinked and eyed him
intently.
I've stated the proposition to Hook.
err" he said. "snd he refused It. That's
enough. amt III"
De Lancey laughed and turned away.
We'll, yes. I guess II Is" 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 Bud.
That's q smart man you've got for
a pardner." he remarked. "A smart
man. You want to look out" he added.
''or he'll get away with you"
Nope. said Bud. you don't know
him like I do. He's straight AZ die"
"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 In. 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 II I'll make you a rich man.
don't need your pardner on this deal.
! need Just one man that can keep his
head shut. Listen now; I'll tell you
what II 10.
Il know where there's q lost mine
down In Mexico. II I'D tell you the
name you'd know It In a minute. and
It's free gold. too. Now there's fell
low that had that land located for ten
years, but he couldn't find the lead.
Dye see? And when this second revo-
luton came on he let II go-he neg
lected to pay his mining taxes and let