The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-05-30

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
on his corduroys and the intelligence
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 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 a
presumptuous optimist and the little
man nodded approvingly 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
have your gun with you--they'll shoot
you from behind rock-and if they
can't git you that way, they'll knife
you in your sleep.
tive 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 If
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 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 l tell you it's entirely diff
ferent over there now"
Sure! That's right" spoke up the
little man, with spirit. you're talk
ing more sense than any man on the
street. l guess ought to know-Ive
been down there and through 1t all
and it's got SO now that you can't trust
any of 'em. 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 a reminiscent grin, 81
begin to think them fellers would get
US, for 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
while, can tell you'll"
Here, too," agreed the big man
turning to go. 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 ge
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. 1.-THE hotel
all right, and maybe that was a break
fast we got, but l get hungry waiting
that way. Gimme lunch-counter
where l can wrop my legs around
stool and watch the cook turn 'en
over. Come OIL been there before.
An expression of plying toleranc
came over the little mans face as h
listened to this rhapsody on the quic
lunch, but he drew away reluctantly.
cav, come on, Bud" he pleaded
"Have a little class! What's the us
Of winning a stake If you've got to ca
at dog-joint? And besides-say, tina
was a peach of a girl that waited O.
US this morning! Did you notice he
hair? She was a pippin!"
The big man waggled his hand RI
signedly and started on his way.
"All right, pardner," he observed
''if that's the deal she's probably lool
ing for you. I'll meet you In the room.
Jaw, come on" urged the other, bu
his heart was not in it, and he turne
: gaily away up the main street.
Left to himself, the big man went o
to his lunch-counter, where he ordere
oysters, "A dozen in the milk" The
he ordered a beefsteak, to make u
for several he had missed, and aske
the cook to fry it rare. He was JUS
negotiating for can of pears that ha
caught his eye when an old man cam
in and took the stool beside him, picl