Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-07-23


for in the. West. and as Bud led the
way across the echoing lobby to q pair
Of stuffed chairs he had q vague feel
ing of being In church. Stainedglass
windows above the winding stairways
let in a soft light, and on the tower
ing pillars Of marble were emblazonee
prickly-pears as an emblem OF the
West. From the darkened balconies
above. half-seen women looked down
curiously as they entered, and in the
broad lobby below were gathered the
prosperous citizens Of the. land.
There were cattlemen, still wearing
their boots and overalls, the better to
attend to their shipping; mining men.
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 a minute; but II he had
lother 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 a
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 was that old-timer you were
talking TOT" inquired Phil, as he sank
down in the vacant chair. Looks like
the-morning-after with him, don't lit"
"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 go
down into Mexicol"
"What'd you tell him" challenged
the little man, sitting up suddenly in
his chair. Say, that old boys got
rocks!"
He can keep 'em for all of me-" OBJ
served Bud comfortably. you know
what I think about Mexico"
Sure; but what was his PROPOSE
ton? What did he want you to dol"
Search me! He was mighty mys-
ferrous about 1t. Said he wanted a
man he could trust"
We'll, holy Moses, Bud!" cried Phil,
wake up! Didn't you get his PROPOSE
toni"
mo, he wasn't talking about 1t. Said
1t was a good thing and he'd pay me
we'll, or let me in On the deal; but
when he hollered Mexico l quit. I've
got a plenty"
Eyes, but" the little man choked
and could say no more. We'll, you're
n Jim dandy business man, Bud
Hooker!" he burst out at last. You'd
let"
well, what's the matter?" demand
ed Hooker deflantly. do you want to
go back into Mexico? Nor me, neitheri
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 " and talk to him. I'd take a
chance, If it was good enough"
Jaw, don't be a fool, Phil" urged
the cowboy plaintiyely. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to go in on 1t. Leave him alone and
he'll do something for US on this side.
oh, cripes, what's the matter with
you?"
He heaved himself reluctantly up
out of his chair and moved over to
where Kruger was sitting.
"Mr. Kruger" he said, as the old
man turned to meet him, "I1l make
you acquainted with Mr.. De Lancey.
my pardner. My names Hooker"
Glad to know you, Hooker" re-
sponded Kruger, shaking him by the
hand. "How'do, Mr.. De Lancey."
He gave Phil a rather crusty nod as
he spoke, but De Lancey was dragging
up another chair and failed to notice.
"Mr. 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 one
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 it comes to getting in
supplies"
Not a bit Of trouble In the world"
said the old man crabbedly. Not a
bit"
WELL" came back De Lancey,
whats the matter, then? What is
the proposition. anyway"
Henry Kruger blinked and eyed him
~intently.
1--WE stated the proposition to Hook
err" he said, land he refused 1t. That's
enough, amt it,"
De Lancey laughed and turned away.
We'll, yes, l guess 1t is" Then, in
passing, he said to Bud: go ahead
and talk to him."
He walked away, lighting a cigarette
and smiling goo~d-naturedly, and the
old-timer turned to Bud.
That's a smart man you've got for
a ~paidner," he remarked. "A smart
man. You want to look out" he added,
"or he'll get away with you"
Nope said Bud. "You don't know
him like l do. He's straight as a die"
"A man can be straight and still get
away with you,'' observed the veteran
shrewdly. Eyes, 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 If we
strike 1t I'll make you q rich man. /