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

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Just as they had come from the hills;
and others more elegantly dressed
but they all had a nod for Henry Kru.
ger. He was a man Of mark, as Bud
could e in q minute; but If be had
other business with those who hailed
him he let it pass and took out a rank
brier pipe, which he pulled while Bud
smoked a cigarette.
They were sitting together in q
friendly silence when Phil came out OF
the dining room, but as he drew near
the old man nodded to Bud and went
over to speak to the clerk.
Who raj that old-timer you were
talking to?" inquired Phil. as he sank
down in the vacant chair. Looks like
the-morning-after with him, don't it,"
"Um," grunted Bud; reckon 1t is
Names Kruger"
"What-the mining mani"
That's right"
WELL" exclaimed Phil, what In the
world was he talking to you about?"
oh, some kind of a mining deal"
grumbled Bud. Wanted me to 60
down into Mexico!"
"What'd you tell him?" challenged
the little man. sitting up suddenly IL
his chair. Say. that old boys got
rocks!"
He can keep 'em for all Of me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. you know
what think about Mexico"
Sure; but what was his PROPOSE.
tion3 What did he want you to dol"
Search me! He was mighty mys
FERROUS about 1t. Said he wanted a
man he could trust"
well, holy Moses, Bud!" cried Phil,
wake up! Didn't you get his PROPOSE
tion?"
mo, he wasn't talking about it. Said
it was a good thing and he'd pay me
well. or let me In On the deal; but
when he hollered Mexico l quit. I've
got a plenty"
Yes, but" the little man choked
and could say no more. We'll. you're
one Jim dandy business man, Bud
Hooker!" he burst out at last. YOU'D
let"
We'll, what's the matter?' demand.
ed Hooker defiantly. do you want to
go back into Mexico? Nor me. neither!
What you kicking about?
you might have led him ON and
got the scheme, anyway. Maybe
there's a million in it. Come on, let's
go over and talk to him. I'd take q
chance, II it was good enough"
Jaw, don't be a fool, Phil" urged
the cowboy plaintively. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to 60 in on 1t. Leave him alone and
he'll do something for US on this side,
Oh, cripes. what's the matter with
your"
He heaved himself reluctantly ny
out of his chair and moved over to
where Kruger was sitting.
Mr.. Kruger" he said, as the old
turned to meet him, "I1l make
you acquainted with Mr.. De Lancey.
my pardner. My names Hooker"
Glad to know you. Hooker" %
sponded Kruger. shaking him by the
hand. "How'do, Mr.. De Lancey."
He gave Phil a rather crusty nod -
he spoke, but De Lancey was dragging
up another chair and failed to notice.
mi. Hooker was telling me about
some proposition you had. to go down
into Mexico" he began, drawing up
closer while the old man watched him
from under his eyebrows. That's n
tough country to do business in right
now, but at the same time"
The country's perfectly quiet" put
In Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
well, maybe So" qualified De Ian
cey; but when 1t comes to getting In
supplies"
"Not a bit of trouble In the world"
said the old man csabbedly. mot q
bit"
WELL" came back De Lancey,
what's the matter, then? What 10
the proposition. anyway"
Henry Kruger blinked and eyed him
intently.
i've stated the proposition to HOOK
err" he said, land he refused it. That's
enough, amt it,"
De Lancey laughed and turned away.
We'll. yes. / guess 1t Is" Then. In
passing. he said to Bud: go ahead
and talk to him."
He walked away. lighting a cigarette
and smiling good-naturedly. and the
old-timer turned to Bud.
That's a smart man you've got for
a pardner." he remarked. "a smart
man. You want to look out" he added.
cor he'll get away with you"
Nope said Bud. "You don't know
him like l do. He's straight as q die"
"A man can be straight and Still get
away with you," observed the veteran
shrewdly. "Yes, indeed" He paused
to let this bit of wisdom sink in, and
then he spoke again.
you'd better ~Quit-while you're
lucky" he suggested. you quit and
come with me-" he urged. "and II we
strike it I'll make You q rich man. I
don't need your pardner on this deal.
/ need Just one man that can keep his
head shut. Listen now: I'll tell you
what II In