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

the old man nodded 70 Bud and went
over to speak to the clerk.
who was 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 it 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 Mexico!"
"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 think about Mexico"
Sure; but what was his PROPOSE
ton? What did he want you to do?"
Search me! He was mighty mys-
IeIlOUS dDOuI IL. odAu uc W oAISA -
man he could trust"
We'll, holy Moses, Bud!" cried Phil.
wake up! Didn't you get his PROPOSE
tion?"
mo, he wasn't talking about 1t. Said
it was good thing and he'd pay me
well, or let me in on the deal; but
when he hollered Mexico quit. I've
got plenty"
"Yes, but" the little man chOked
and could say no more. well. 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 detiantly. DO you want to
60 back into Mexico? Nor me. neither!
What you kicking about?"
You might have red him on and
got the scheme. anyway. Maybe
there's million in it. Come on. let's
| 20 over and talk to him. I'd take a
chance, If it was good enough"
| Jaw, don't be fool. Phil" urged
the cowboy plaintively. We've got no
call to hear his scheme unless we want
to go In on it. 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 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, I'll 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 rather crusty nod as
he spoke, but De Lancey was dragging
I'D 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"
1.-THE country's perfectly quiet" put
in Kruger-"perfectly quiet"
well. maybe So" qualified De Lam
cey; but when it comes to getting IN
supplies"
mot a bit of trouble in the world"
said the old man crabbedly. mot
bit"
WELL" came back De Lancey.
what's the matter, then? What Is
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.
well, yes. l guess it 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 smart man you've got for
pardner," 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 do. He's straight as 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 If we
strike it I'll make you rich man.
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 it u.s.