Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-13

1nats 1t, returned Kruger signiE-
cantly; this job I've got calls for o
man like that"
We'll, Pills all right" spoke up
Bud, with sudden warmth. I'VE been
PARTNERS for two years now and he
never give nothing away yet! He
talks, but he don't forget himself. And
the way he can palaver them Mexicans
is wonder"
Very likely, very likely" agreed
Kruger, and then he sat while in
silence.
I'VE got few thousand dollars with
US, too" volunteered Bud at last. I'm
a good worker, if that's what you want
and Phil, he's mining engineer"
"Um-m," grunted Kruger, Juggling at
his beard, but he did not come out
with his proposal.
Il tell you" he said at last. I'm
not doing much talking about this
proposition of mine. It's a big thing,
and somebody might beat me to it.
You know what / am, ] guess. I've
pulled off some of the biggest deals in
this country for poor man, and |
don't make many mistakes-not about
mineral anyway. And when l tell, you
that this is 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-committally 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. It
amt dangerous undertaking least
wise / don't think it is-but | got to
have somebody l 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' doingi" responded Bud
with instant decision. IF it's In Ari-
iona I'll talk to you, but no more Mex
ico for me. I've got something pretty
esood down there myself. as far as that
goes.
What's the matter?p inquired Kru-
ger, set back by the abrupt refusal;
"scared?"
Yes. I'm scared" admitted Bud
and he challenged the old man with
his eyes.
Must have had little trouble,
then?"
well, you might call it that" agreed
Bud. 1--WE been on the dodge for a
month. A bunch of revoltosos tried to
get our treasure, and when we skipped
out on 'em they tried to get us"
Well" continued Kruger, this
proposition of mine is different. You
was over in the Sierra Madres, where
Mexicans amt like them Chihuahua
fellers-they're Americanized. I'll tell
you, if it wasn't that the people would
know me I'd go down after this mine
| myself. The country's perfectly quiet
| There's lots of Americans down there
yet and they don't even know there is
a revolution. 1t amt far from the rail-
road, you see, and that makes a lot Of
difference
4 He lowered his voice to conf
Dental whisper as he revealed the ap-
proximate locality of his bonanza, but
Bud remained unimpressed.
YES" he said, I'VE was near rail-
road-the Northwestern-an seemed
like them red-faggers did nothing else
but burn bridges and ditch supply
trains. When they finally whipped 'em
off the whole bunch took to the hills.
That's where we got it again"
i We'll" argued Kruger, this rail-
road of ours is all right, and they run
a train over it every day The con-
centrator at Fortuna he lowered his
voice again--"hasn't been shut down a
day, and you'll be within fifteen miles
of that town. No." he whispered; 81
could get hundred Americans to go
in on this tomorrow. as fairs the revo-
lution's concerned. 1t amt dangerous,
but want somebody can trust"
i Nope, pronounced Bud, rising pom
j derously to his feet; "if it was this
side the hAe I'd stay with you till the
hair slipped on anything, but
/ well, let's talk it over again some
| time" urged Kruger, following him
along out. 1T amt often / get took
with a young Teller the way was with
you, and believe we can make it 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, a
hotel so spacious in it's 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 place to be looked
for in the West, and as Bud led the
way across the echoing lobby to pair
of stuffed chairs he had a vague feel
ing Of being in church. Stained-glass
windows above the winding stairways
let in soft light, and on the tower
ing pillars OF marble were emblazoned
nrickly-pears as an emblem. of the