The Glenwood post., 1914-05-23
A Stirring Story of the
Mexican Revolution

can tell another puncher at Q glance,
but they are not alone In this-there
are other crafts that leave their mark
and other men - shrewd A group Of
mining men took one look at the
smaller man. noting the candle grease
o. his corduroys and the intelligence
In his eyes: and to them the big man
was no more than q labOrer-or .
shtft-eoss At most-and the little man
was one Of their kind. Every line in
his mobile face spoke of intellect and
decision. and ~ they walked 1t vas he
Who did the talking while the big man
only nodded and smiled.
They took . turn or two up the
street. nov drifting into some clamoE-
ous saloon. now standing at gass On
the Sidewalk: and as the drinks began
to work. the little man became more
and more animated. the big man more
and more amiabls in his assent and
s1laac0.
Then they passed the crowd Of refa.
gees they stopped and listened, com
menting On the various opinions BY a
exchange Of moving smiles. An old
prospsctoF. vhite-hairsA aAd tanned to
. tropic brown. finally turned upon .
prssumptuous optimist and the little
man nodded approvinSly - hs heard
him express his views.
"Yoa can say what you plsase," the
peospsctos eadsd. 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 gittins
treacherous. It don't do no good to
have your gun with you-thsy1l shoot
you from behind . rock-and II they
can't git you that way. they'll knife
you In your sleep.
I've noticed . big change in them
paisanos since this war come on Be
fore Madero made his break they used
to be scared Of Americans-thought II
they killed one Of " the rest would
cross the border and eat EN- up. What
few times they did tackle . white mar
he generally give 4 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 over there now"
Sure! That's right" spoke up tne
little man. with spirit You're talk.
ing more sense than any man on the
street. l guess ought to know-I've
been down there and through it all
and it's got 60 now that you can't trust
any Of EN-. My pardner and l came
clear from the Sierra Madres, riding
nights, and we come pretty near know.
ing-hey, Bud?"
That's right" observed Bud. the
big man, with q reminiscent grin, Il
begin to think them fellers would get
us. for a while,"
Mining men, 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, l can tell you!"
Here, too" agreed the big man,
turning to 60. Arizona is good enough
for income on, Phil"
Where to-" 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!"
Not 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 man was leading OF down a
side street, and once more they came
to halt.
"Jims place-it's a lunch-counter."
he explained laconically. The hotels
all right, and maybe that was break
fast we got, but get hungry waiting
that way. Gimme a lunch-counter
where l can wrop my legs around a
stool and watch the cook turn 'em
over. Come on-I 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 . little classi What's the use
Of winning . stake II you've got to eat
atAdog-jo And besides-say, that
was . peach Of . girl that waited on
us this morning! Did you notice her
hair? She was . pippin!"
The big man wasgled his hand re-
signedly and started on his way.
"All right. pardner." he observed;
IF 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 his 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 it rare. He was Just
negotiating for . can of pears that had
rouUbt hio ovo whov nv, old oraA