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


strange faces In the vague hone 80
nnd1ng some friend; and Gadsden not
70 be outdone, looked them over curl.
ousiy and wondered whence thew had
come.
The bunch of cowboys, still loiterinp
on the corner, glanced scornfullv at
the smaller man, who spurted a nair
OF puttees--and then at the bip mans
1eet. Finding them encased in nroa.
pectcr's shoes they stared dumhlv ~
his wind-burned face and mutte,as
among themselves.
he was tall. and broad across tho
shoulders, with farseeing blue ey !, !
ana mop CT light hair; and he walked
on mis- toes, stiff-legged, swaying from |
MS nlps like man on horseback The
rumble of comment rose up again az
he racked past and then a cowhov
voice observed:
I'll bet We he's cow-punch!"
Inc big man looked back at them
mock1ngly out Of the corner of his eve
and went on without word.
1t Is the boast Of cowboys that thew
can tell another puncher at a glance.
but they are not alone in this-there
are other crafts that leave their mark
ana other men as shrewd. A group of
mining men took one look at the
smaller man. noting the candle-grease
on his corduroys and the intelligence
III Ms eyes; and to them the big man
was no more than a laborer-or q
sn1It-ooss at most-and the little 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 turn or two up the
street. now drifting into some clamor-
Gus saloon, now standing at gaze on
the sidewalk; and as 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 q
presumptuous optimist and the little
man nodded approvingly as he heard
= him express his views
You can say what you please" the
n prospector. ended, but I'm going t.
keep out of that country. I've knowe6
them Mexicans for thirty years nov
and I'm telling you they're Citing
treacherous. It don't do no good tt
have your gun with you-they'll shoe
Q you from behind rock-and if the!
8 you in your sleep.
I. i've noticed big change in then
q paisanos since this war come on. Be
% fore Madero made his break they use'
)t to be scared of Americans-thought
e they killed one of us the rest woul
le cross the border and eat 'em up. Wha
few times they did tackle white ma
e he generally give a good account Q
e himself, too, and I've travelled ther
I'd trails for years without hardly know
IS ing what it was to be afraid Of AM
er body; but l tell you it's entirely di
ly ferent over there now"
h. Sure! That's right" spoke up tn
little man, with spirit. you're tall
ed ing more sense than any man on th
n street. l guess l ought to know-I'v
I'D been down there and through it all
he and it's got so now that you can't tru'
s; any of 'em. My pardner and l cam
I'm clear from the Sierra Madres, ridin
to nights, and we come pretty near kno1
OIL ing-hey, Bud?"
ut That's right" observed Bud, tt
IS big man, with reminiscent grin,
begin to think them fellers would g
ey US. for while!"
he mining menu" inquired the o
De- prospector politely.
nd working on lease" said the lit
man briefly. Owner got scared o
en-, and let us in on shares. But no mo
q for muh-this will hold me for Qui
OF a while, can tell you'll"
of Here, too," agreed the big ma
ad turning to go. Arizona is good enou'
nd for income on, phil!
18th "Where to-" The little man DIRE
leo hack half resentfully, and then
of changed his mind. "All right" he sa
me falling into step, "a gin fizz for mine
to mot on an empty stomach"
monished his pardner; you might
on lit I'D and tell somebody all you kno
ees How about something to eat"
I'm. Good! But where re you going
I'm The big man was leading of dowr