Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-08-21

hUu OLuST men dS buT6Wu. "A BIOuP vi
mining men took one look at the
smaller man, noting the candle grease
on his o~orduroys and the intelligence
In his eyes; and to them the big man
was no more than a laborer-or a
shift boss at most-and the lit1le man
was one of their kind. Every line In
his mobile face spoke of intellect and
decision, and as they walked it was he
who did the talking while the big man
only nodded and smiled.
They took a turn or two up the
street, 10Y drifting into some clamor-
GUS saloon, now standing at gaze on
the sidewalk; and az the drinks began
to work, the little man became more
and more animated, the big man more
and more amiable In his assent and
silence.
Then they passed the crowd Of refu-
gees they stopped and listened, com
menting on the various opinions by an
exchange of knowing smiles. An old
prospector. white-haired and tanned to
a tropic brown, finally turned upon a
presumptuous optimlst and the little
nan nodded %approvingly as he heard
him express his views.
you can say what you please" the
prospector ended, "but I'm going to
keep out Of that country, I've knowed
them Mexicans for thirty years now
and I'm telling you they're Citing
treacherous. 1t don't do no good to
have your gun with ~you-theyT shoot
you from behind a rock-and II they
can't git you that way, they'll knife
you In your sleep.
1--WE noticed a big change in them
~paisanos since this wal come IN. Be-
fore Madero made his break they used
to be scared of Americans-thought II
they killed one of US the rest would
cross the border and eat 'em up. What
few times they did tackle a white man
he generally give a good account OF
himself, too, and I've travelled them
trails for years without hardly know
ing what 1t was to be afraid of any
body; but | tell you It's entirely DIFF
ferent owe there now"
Sure! That's right" spoke up the
little man, with spirit. You're talk
ing more sense than any man on the
street, guess l ought to know-I've
been down there and through 1t all
and It's got SO now that you can't trust
any Of 'em. My pardner and l came
clear from the Sierra Madres. riding
nights, and we come-pretty near know
lng-hey, Bud?'
That's right observed Bud, the
big man, with a reminiscent grin. II
begin to think them fellers would get
US. for a while!"
Mining mem" inquired the old
prospector politely.
Working on a lease" said the little
man briefly. Owner got scared out
and let us In on shares. But no more
for muh--this will hold me for quite
a while, | car tell you!"
Here, too" agreed the big man.
turning to so. Arizona Is good enough
for income. on, Phil"
Where tor The little man drew
back half resentfully, and then he
changed his mind. "All right" he said,
falling into step. "a gin fizz for mine!"
mot on an empty stomach" ad-
monished his pardner; you might get
lit up and tell somebody all you know
How about something to eat?"
Good! But where re you going?"
The big mar was leading off down a
side street, and once more they came
to a halt.
"Jim's place-it's a lunch-counter,"
he explained lac~onically. The hotels
all right, and maybe that was a break
fast we got. but l get hungry waiting
that way, Gimme q lu~nchcounter,
where | can wrop my legs around a
stool and watch the cook turn EN-
over. Come OIL been there before"
An expression of plying tolerance
came over the little mans face as he
listened to this rhapsody on the quick
lunch. but he drew away reluctantly.
"Aw, come on, Bud" he pleaded.
Have a little class! What's the use
of winning a stake If you've got to eat
at a dog-joint2 And besides-say. that
was a peach Of a girl that waited on
us this morning! Did you notice her
hair? She was n pippin!"
The big mar waggled his hand re-
signedly and started on his way.
"All right, pardner," he observed:
III that's the deal she's probably look.
ing for you. I'll meet you in the room"
"Aw. come on" urged the other. but
his heart was not In 1t, and he turned
gaily away up the main street.
Left to himself, the big man went on
to hts lunch-counter. where he ordered
oysters, "A dozen in the milk" Then
he ordered a beefsteak, to make up
for several he had missed, and asked
the cook to fry 1t ire. He was Just
negotiating for a cal Of pears that had
caught his eye when an old man came
In and took the stool beside him. pick.
ing up the menu with trembling hand.
Give me a cup OF coffee" he said to
the waiter, "and'-he gazed at the bill
of fare carefully-"and a roast-beef
sandwich. No, just the cofree!" he
corrected, and at that Bud gave him a
look. He was a small man, stability