The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1915-03-13


TO be outdone, looked them over curl
ously and wondered whence they had
come.
The bunch Of cowboys, still lettering
on the corner, glanced scornfully at
the smaller man, who sported pa,r
OF puttees-and then at the big mans
feet. Finding them encased In pros
pector's shoes they stared dumbly at
his wind-burned face and muttered
among themselves.
He was tall. and broad across the
shoulders, with farseeing blue eyes
and mop Of light hair; and he walked
on his toes, stiff-legged, swaying from
his hips like a man on horseback. The
rumble Of comment rose up again as
he racked past and then a cowboy
voice observed:
I'll bet We he's cow-punch!"
The big man looked back at them
mockingly out of the corner of his eye
and went on without word.
1t is the boast of cowboys that they
can tell another puncher at a 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
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 it 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 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
have your gun with you-they1l shoot
you from behind a rock-and II they
can't git you that way, they'll knife
you in your sleep.
1--WE noticed q big change in them
paisanos since this war come On. Be-
fore Madero made his break they used
to be scared of Americans-thOught IL
! they killed one Of US the rest would
cross the border and eat EN- up. What
few times they did tackle q white man
he generally give 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 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-4'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 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 a while!"
mining men" inquired the old
prospector politely.
working on 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, 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 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 off down a
side street, and once more they came
| to q halt.
"Jim's place-it's lunch-counter,'
he explained laconically. 1.-THE hotels