The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-02-18

them; something to make people no
tice you"
Sure. but what?"
That" replied Pedro. ~is Just what
I can tell you. have proposition to
make"
The man scowled at him for . mo-
ment, as though wondering at the i'm
prudence Of this whippersnapper's Of
fering to deal with HIN, Then Pedro
looked at him, and smiled one of those
vivid, startling smiles that were Pc
culiar to him. and usually took people
unawares, making them smile back at
him before they really knew what they
were doing. Nor did 1t fail this time
The naccid face of the lunch-wagon
man expanded into a broad grin.
That's it," exclaimed Pedro.
That's what?" asked the man. grgly-
ing serious again
"oh. don't spoil it," cried the lad.
that smile is just what you need
to attract customers"
This time the man laughed.
Well" said he. what is your prop
osition, young one?"
Il have some friends with me-" be-
gan Pedro; all those over there and
the bears. We are all hungry, see?
Now will paint you a picture on the
side OF your wagon, and also ! will
paint for you new sign; and II, when
l have finished. you agree that the
sign and the picture will bring you
customers in the future, you will feed
us all. not forgetting the bears, eh?''
The fat man considered a long time
before replying. and Pedro watched
him anxiously.
We'll" he said at last, "the old dog
wagon couldn't look no worse'n It do
now: an my stock what have laid in
will get spoiled II 1t don't get eat
You can have a try, young one, II you
like"
"Hurrah!" said Pedro, and hurried
over to tell Nita and the others.
A musty hardware store that also
sold grain and lumber. furnished
few crude materials. The fat man
paid for them, and Pedro carried them
over to the cart and set to work.
please, one thing" he begged OF
its proprietor, don't you look till all
is finished"
All right" agreed the man. 'Il sit
here. just inside the door, and read
outer the paper till you're done"
Pedro answered nothing, but gave a
glance at little mirror that hung
just opposite to where the uncon-
scious Mr.. Lovejoy sat, whipped of
the old green coat and began working
frantically.
The proprietor settled himself ON
the little stool near the door, and,
faithful to his promise, unfolded
pink evening paper. Cautiously, and
speaking not at all, Old Nita drew
near. leading Mr.. Jones. They sat
down in the dust beside the step and
watched Rdro in silence. Then came
Beau-Jean and Koko. followed by
Gunny, who settled themselves beside
the old woman. Before half an hour
was gone all the town. for the first
time in the lunch wagons history. hadS
clustered before its door. As for Pc
dro. he had forgotten that there wal
world which might come to gapt
and criticize. He was working.
of the crowd. the proprietor was not
Twice he wanted to move. but dared
not; and as the crowd increased. 50 :
did his Impotence.
For half an hour longer or more Pc
dro worked, glancing now and then at
the little mirror just inside the door,
in which Mr.. Lovejoy's unconscious
face was reflected. There, began to
be an occasional tittering from the
crowd. and then, later. spontaneous
bursts Of laughter.
When kin l come QUIT" cried Mr..
Lovejoy at intervals, and
Wait" commanded Pedro. Fever
ishly he added the finishing touches to
his production, and then at length
stood back and invited his patron to
descend. As the fat man came down
the steps there was a little burst Of
applause which he was at a loss to
understand until he stood before his
transformed place Of business.
All the old lettering. already faint,
had been obliterated, and in the CEN
ter of the largest space was a portrait
head of himself-a large, laughing por-
trait just like him, yet irresistibly
merry. 1t was face at which one in
stantly smiled in sympathy; indeed it
wore the very smile to attract Gus
TONER'S" as Pedro had said. Over this
extraordinary production Pedro hac
painted in neat. black letters:
!. Lovejoy
Eating 10 Joyful
Come In and Eat