Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1916-07-05

JULY 5. 1916
where old Urique keeps his stun. It's
United States currency, too; he don't
accept anything else. What's doing3
Don't say nothing this time"
''Why, sure" said the Kid, admiring
his diamond. there's plenty Of money
up there. I'm no judge Of collateral
in punches, but will undertake for to
say that I've seen the rise of $4,000 at
a time in that tin grub box that my
adopted father calls his safe. And he
lets me carry the key sometimes just
to show me that he knows I'm the real
little Francisco that strayed from the
herd long time ago.
"Well, what are you waiting forT'
asked Thacker angrily. Don't you
forget that can upset your apple cart
any day want to. If old Urique knew
you were an impostor, what sort Of
things would happen to you? Oh, you
don't know this country, Mr.. Texas
Kid. The laws here have got mustard
spread between 'em. These people
here'd stretch you out like a frog that
had been stepped on and give you
about fifty sticks at every corner Of
the plaza. And they'd wear every
stick out too. What was left Of you
they'd feed to alligators"
Il might as well tell you now, pard-
ner," said the Kid. sliding down low
on his steamer chair, 'that things are
going to stay just as they are They're
about right now"
'What do you meanT asked Thack-
er. rafting the bottom Of his glass on
his desk.
1.-The schemes off," said the Kid.
And whenever you have the pleasure
of speaking to me address me as Don
Francisco Urique. I'll guarantee I'll
answer to 1t. Well let Colonel Unique
keep his money. His little tin safe is
as good as the time locker in the First
National bank Of Laredo as far as you
and me are concerned"
You're going to throw me down,
then. are you" said the consul.
Sure" said the Kid cheerfully.
'eThrow you down. That's 1t. And
now I'll tell you why. The first night
I was up at the coloneps house they
introduced me- to bedroom. No blan-
kets on the foor-a real room, with a
bed and things In 1t. And before I
was asleep in comes this artificial
mother Of mine and tucks in the COW
ers. 'Panchito,' she says, my little
lost one, God has brought you back to
me. I bless his name forever 1t was
that Or some truck like that she said.
And down comes a drop OR two of
rain and hits me on the nose. And
all that stuck by me, Mr.. Thacker
And it's been that way ever since. And
it's got to stay that way. Don't you
think that it's for what's in it for me
either, that say so. IF you have any
such ideas keep 'em to yourself.
haven't had much truck with women ir
my life and no mothers to speak Of
but here's lady that we've got tt
keep fooled. Once she stood it; twice
she won't. I'm low down wolf, an(
the devil may have sent me on thi,
trail instead Of God, but I'll travel i
to the end. And, now, don't forget tha
I'm Don Francisco Unique whenevel
you-happen to mention my name"
"Pn expose you today, you-you dou
bic dyed traitor" stammered Thacker.
The Kid arose and without violenc,
took Thacker by the throat with
. hand Of steel and showed him slowI,
into corner. Then he drew from un
der his left arm his pearl handled a
and poked the cold muzzle Of it agains
} the consul's mouth.
II told you why I come here" b.
said, with his old freezing smile. "I
, leave here you'll be the reason. New
er forget it, pardner. Now, what i
my name?"
, "Er-Don Francisco Uriquer' gaspe,
Thacker.
From outside came sound o
wheels and the shouting Of some on
, and the sharp thwacks Of a woode,
: whipstock upon the backs Of ia
horses.
| The Kid put up his gun and wake
toward the door. But he turned agai
and came back to the trembling ThacI
er and held up his left hand with it
back toward the consul.
There's one more reason" he sal
| slowly, "why things have got to stan
| as they are. The fellow I killed i
, Laredo had one Of them same picture
on his left hand"
, Outside the ancient landau Of Do
, Santos Urique ratified to the door. Th
cOachman ceased his believing. Senior
, Urique, in voluminous gay gown o
white lace and flying ribbons, leane
, forward with happy look in her grea
soft eyes.
care you within, dear SOM" she cal
ed in the ripping Castilian.
+ "Madre mia, 70 vengo (mother,
Gomez" answered the young Don Fran
! cisco Unique.