Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1914-08-13
A Stirring Story of the
Mexican Revolution

~ II IM9 DOeSb Oh COWDOyb LQdL lQSy
can tell another puncher at glance,
but they are not alone In this--there
are other crafts that leave their mark
| and other men as shrewd. A group of
| mining men took one look at the
smaller man, noting the candle-grease
In his eyes; and to them the big man
was no more than a laborer-or a
shift-boss at most-and the little man
was one of their kind. Every line in
his mobile face spoke of intellect and
decision, and as they walked 1t was he
who did the talking while the big man
only nodded and smiled.
They took a turn or two up the
street, now drifting into some clamor-
Gus saloon, now standing at gaze on
the sidewalk; and as the drinks began
to work, the little man became more
and more animated, the big man more
and more amiable in his assent and
silence
Then they passed the crowd Of refu-
gees they stopped and listened, COM
| menting on the various opinions by an
exchange of knowing smiles. An old
prospector, white-haired and tanned to
tropic brown. finally turned upon
presumptuous optimist and the little
man nodded approyingly as he heard
him express his views.
You can say what you please" the
prospector ended, "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 Citing
treacherous. 1t don't do no good to
you from behind a rock-and If 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 us the rest would
cross the border and eat EN- up What
few times they did tackle white man
he generally give a good account of
himself, too, and I've travelled them
trails for years without hardly know
ing what it was to be afraid of any
body; but tell you it's entirely diff
ferent over there now"
"Surel That's right" spoke up the
little man, with spirit. You're talk
ing more sense than any man on the
street. ] guess | ought to know-I've
been down there and through it all
and it's got so now that you can't trust
any Of 'em. My pardner and 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 a reminiscent grin, Il
begin to think them fellers would get
US, for q 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
q while, can tell you'll"
Here. too" agreed the big man,
turning to go. Arizona is good enough
for income on, Phil"
Where tor" 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-
moniehed his pardner; you might gel
Lit up and tell somebody all you know
How about something to eat?"
Good! But where re you going?"
The big man was leading off down
side street, and once more they came
to halt
"Jim's place-it's a lunch-counter,"
he explained laconically. THE hotels
fast we got, but | get hungry waiting
that way. Gimme a lunch-counter,
where can wrop my legs around a
stool and watch the cook turn em
over. Come OIL 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.
Jaw, come on. Bud" he pleaded
Have q little class! What's the use
of winning stake If you've got to eat
at og-joint? And besides-say, that
was peach of girl that waited on
us this morning! Did you notice her
hair? She was a pippinl"
The big man waggled his hand re-
signedly and started on his way.
"All right, pardner," he observed;
'1f that's the deal she's probably look
| ing for you III meet you in the room. !"
Jaw, come on!" urged the other, but
his heart was not in it, 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 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
caught ais eye when an old man came
In and took the stool beside him, pick
ing up the menu with trembling hand.
Give me cup of Coffee" he said to