Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-10-17

to be eighty years old. If I'd had a CUR
ON me, I'd have busted him for some
of the things he said. "A dark lady !
That's his wife. l give you warnin'
Paloma, don't you ask her to stay fol
meals. People like them are danger
ous."
you're too sillyi" said Paloma
"NobOdy believes in such things"
"They don't, eh2 Well, he's got
all Jonesville walkin' around ladders
and spittin' through crossed fingers
and countin' the spots on their nails
He interprets their dreams and locates
lost articles"
maybe he can tell me where to find
Adolfo UrbinaT" Dave suggested.
"Humph! If he can't, Tad Lewis
can. Say, Dave, this case of yours
has stirred up a lot of feelin' 'gainst
Tad. The prosecutin' attorney says
he'll sure cinch him and Urbina both
One of Lewis men got on a bender
the other night and declared Adolfo
would never come to trial."
"What did he mean?"
at may have been mescal talk, but
witnesses sometimes have a way OF
disappearin'. l wouldn't put anything
past that gang"
Not long after breakfast Don Ricar-
do Guzman appeared at the Jones
house and warmly greeted his two
friends. To Dave he explained:
Last night I came to town, and this
morning l heard you had returned, SO
I rode out at once. You were unsuc-
cessful?"
"Our man never went to Pueblo"
EXACTLY. thought as much. How
ever, I 20 to meet Blanco today. and
perhaps shall discover something
.What takes you over thereY Blaze
"Wait until l tell you. Senior David.
here, brings me good fortune at every
turn. He honors my poor, thirsty
rancho with visit and brings glori-
Gus rain; then he destroys my enemies
like a thunderbolt. No sooner Is this
done than l receive from the Federals
an offer for fifty Of my best horses.
Caramba! Such price, too. They
are in a great hurry, which looks as
II they expected an attack from the
Candeleristas at Matamoros. l nope
so. God grant these traitors are de-
feated. Anyhow, the horses have gone,
and today I go to get my money IN
gold"
"Who's going with your" asked Law.
Ricardo shrugged. Nobody. There
Is no danger"
Blaze shook his head. ''They know
you are a red-hot rebel. I wouldn't
trust them"
'They know, Also that am an
American, like you gentlemen" proud
ly asserted Guzman. "That makes
difference. supported the Liberator
God rest his soul land l secretly
assist those who fight his assassins,
but SO does everybody else. l am re-
ceiving a fine price for those horses.
so 1t is worth little risk. Now. Sc
nor" he addressed himself to the
Ranger II have brought you a little
present. Day and night my boys and
have worked upon it, for we know
the good heart you have. 1t was fin
ished yesterday. See!" Ricardo I'M
wrapped bundle he had fetched, dis
playing a magnificent bride of plait-
ed hOrsehair. 1t was cunningly
wrought, and lavishly decorated with
silver fittings. you recognize those
hairs?" he queried. "They came from
the name and tail of your bonita"
Bessie Belief" Law accepted the
handsome token, then held out his
hand to the Mexican. "That was
mighty fine of you. Ricardo. / You
have pleased me more. We're
going to be friends"
Guzman's delight was keen, his
grizzled face beamed, and he showed
his white teeth in smile. "Say no
more. What is mine is yours-my
house, my cattle, my right hand. l
and my sons will serve you, and you
must come often to see us. Now !
must co." He shook hands heartily
and rode away. waving his hat.
There's good Greaser," Blaze said
with conviction, and Dave agreed feel
Ingly.
"Yes! I'd about do anything for
him. after this"
CHAPTER XII.