The Elbert County tribune., 1914-07-10

cantiy this job I've got calls for a
man like that"
Well. Phils all right" spoke up
Bud. with sudden warmth. I'VE been
paroners for two years now and he
never give nothing away yeti He
talks. but he don't forget himself. And
the way he can palaver them Mexicaus
Is a wonder"
Very likely. very likely" agreed
Kruger, and then he sat a while In
silence.
we got few thousand dollars with
~. TOO" volunteered Bud at last I'm
good worker. II that's what you want
AND Phil, he's mining engineer"
um-m," grunted Kruger, tugging at
his beard, but he did not come oyt
With his proposal.
i tell you." he said at last. I'm
not doing much talking about this
proposition of mine. It's big thing,
and somebody might beat me to it.
You know what | am, l guess. I've
pulled on some OF the biggest deals in
this country for poor man. and
don't make many mistakes-not about
mineral, anyway. And when tell you
that this s rich--you're talking with a
man that knows"
he fixed his shrewd, blue eyes on
the young mans open countenance
and waited for him to speak.
That's right" he continued. as Bud
finally nodded non-commlttally; she's
sure rich. I've had an eye on this
proposition for years-just waiting for
the right time to come. And now It's
come! All need is the man. 1t
amt dangerous undertaking-leas
wise / don't think 1t is-brt l got to
have somebody can trust. I'm willing
to pay you good wages. or I'll let you
In on the deal-but you'll have to go
down into Mexico"
"Nothin' doing!" responded Bud
with instant decision. "If it's In Ari-
zona I'll talk to you. but no more Mex
leo for me. I've got something pretty
good down there myself, as far as that
goes"
Whats the matter7" inquired Kru-
ger. set back by the abrupt refusal I;
"scared?"
Yes. I'm scared" admitted Bud,
and he challenged the old man with
his eyes
Must have had little trouble
them"
We'll. you might call 1t that" agreed
Bud. I'VE been on the dodge for O
month. A bunch of revoltosos tried to
get our treasure, and when we skipped
out on 'em they tried to get u.s."
Well" continued Kruger, this
proposition of mine Is different You
was over in the Sierra Madres. where
the natives are bad. These Sonora
Mexicans amt like them Chihuahua
fellers-they're Americanized. I'll tell
you. If 1t wasn't that the people would
myself. The country's perfectly quiet
There's lots of Americans down there
yet. and they don't even know there is
revolution. 1t amt far from the rail
road. you see, and that makes lot oi
difference"
He lowered his voice to a conf
Dental whisper ae he revealed the ap
proximate locality OF his bonanza, but
Bud remained unimpressed.
CO. hG bhiQt we WAS near u Idll
road-the Northwestern-and seemed
like them red-faggers did nothing else
but burn bridges and ditch supply
trains When they finally whipped 'em
OF the whole bunch took to the hills
That's where we got 1t again"
Well" argued Kruger, this rail
road of ours is all right. and they run
train over 1t every day. The con
contractor at Fortuna"-he lowered his
voice again-"hasn't been shut down q
day, and you'll be within fifteen miles
of that town. No." he whispered; "a
could get a hundred Americans to &c
m on this tomorrow, as fairs the revo
lutfon's concerned. II amt dangerous
but want somebody ! can trust"
Nope" pronounced Bud, rising pom
derously to his feet; 'if 1t was this
side the line I'd stay with you till the
hair slipped. on anything. but"
We'll, let's talk It over again some
time" urged Kruger. following him
along out. 1T amt often | get took
with a young feller the way was with
you. and believe we can make 1t yet
Where are you staying in town."
up at the Cochise." said Bud
Come on with mel told my pardner
I'd meet him there
They turned up the broad main
street and passed in through the pol.
ished stone portals Of the Cochise. q
hotel SO spacious in its interior and SO
richly appointed in its furnishings that
New Yorker, waking up there. might
easily imagine himself on Fifth ave.
nue..
1t was hardly a place to be looked
for in the West, and as Bud led the
way across the echoing lobby to a pair
OF stuffed chairs he had vague feel
ing of being In church. Stained-glass
windows above the winding stairways
let In 9 soft light. and on the tower