The Lamar register., 1918-11-13
Copyright, by W. @. Chapman

can get the nhgpOle painted, AL
nounced John Birdsall.
That's right, dad, don't stir up these
treacherous greasers, but show your
colors every time"
Thus, the patriotic mail-route rider
and his no less loyal daughter. His
chest expanded and his eye glowed
with enthusiasm, while Inez waved him
adieu as he started away on horse
back, as was his wont each morning.
She proceeded to the barn to hitch up
old Roger, the family pet horse. to the
light-covered wagon with which her
father made his sheltered rounds dur
ing the wet season. Then she locked
up the house and started on her way
for the nearest neighbor, Nellie Whit
ney, five miles away.
Nellie was a captivating little miss,
but Inez was radiantly beautiful. They
were close chums and hailed one an
other with warm sisterly greetings.
Its DONE" announced Nellie. con-
Quoting her visitor In the house. II
got up before daylight. There was fac
ing at the staff end and had to hem
II all around. There 1t is, Inez, dear,
and behold Old Glory. homemade.
but neat and new. and large enough to
be viewed from its destined stan well
down the distance In the valley.
Its time TO show our colors." OBJ
served Inez. ''These border greasers
are getting more than insolent lately.
They usually have respect for our
government. though, after the last visit
OF our troops"
81 don't know" returned Nellie seri-
ously. Father says they were massed
up at the old settlement yesterday and
quite owned the town. Said they were
looking for a spy and that there would
be a hanging II they succeeded"
Inez complimented her friend on her
neat task In finishing up the flag upon
which they had been mutually working
Internationally for over a week. She
spread II open and viewed IL admiring
ly. folded 1t up again. carried 1t out to
the wagon and placed 1t under the seat.
Then she took up the lines. kissed her
hand In tender adieu to her friend and
rode homewards.
There was n roadhouse halfway and
It's proprietor stood in the middle of
the road viewing a dissipating cloud
OF dust in the distance as Inez came
up. He looked very much disturbed.
Don't know about your going on,
MISS" he remarked grayely.
"why, what's the troublef" ques-
toned Inez.
"A crowd Of those pesky greasers
just left here. don't like the breed
and locked up when l saw them COM
Ing. They hammered mt the door and
finally burst II In. Then they pro-
ceeded to help themselves to what was
In the bar. couldn't object very well,
for they paid for what they got.
They're up TO some mischief, l war
rant; said they were after IA spy pro-
scribed across the border. Bound to
go on alonel" asked the boniface quite
anxiOusly.
Think I am afraid of that brood ~
challenged Inez scornfully. They
don't dare come out openly In the face
of this, do you thinkT'
Quite confidently Inez took up the
flag and waved Its folds almost grandi-
loquently. Then she prodded up Dob
on the alert for providers as she struck
the narrow bush-llned trail in the
woods. Emerging thence she brought
Dobbin to sharp halt with fer
vent:
Mercy"
Inez stared In excitement and dis
may across the open stretch. Not five
hundred yards away her home. or rath'
er what was left of 1t. greeted her
view. The house, nearly burned down
was a mass of ruins. Outside, feast.
ing on provisions they had secured in
the house, were some twenty men. all
Mexlcans, their horses tethered neal
by. They were drinking from a bot
tie they had obtained at the roadhouse
and were staggering about, palpably
drunk and reckless.
Inez was appalled, at the destruction
already wrought, and, not inclined &c
proceed further, she started to turf
Dobbin about to hastily retrace hel
way to the home of Nellie and give q
warning along the line. when there was
shout from the group about the
house. II was repeated and half q
dozen of the crowd mounted theli
horses and started across the interven
ing space between themselves and the
timber.
"You have come too opportunely,'
IA In