The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-02-17

~" anu u pop-eyeu TREND or his While
engaged In an attempt to aSsassinate a
white, inotfenSive stranger. The fol
lowing day, at the gangplank of the
steamer, we met again; he poked his
nose into my business, so | squeezed
MS nose until he cried; right before
everybody | did it, Don Juan, and to
add insult to injury, | plucked "A few
hairs from his rats moustache-one
hair per each pluck"
I'D a notion ye did somethin' to
him, Sor. Now, thin, listen to me:
I'm not much TO look at, but I'm white.
I'm an attaShay, as We might say, av
lgnatz Leber-him that do have the
import an export house at the ind
av the Gale San Rosario, forninst the
bay. Also he do have Charge av the
cable Office, an whin I'm sober enough,
l deliver cablegrams for Leber. Now,
then, ven recall we had a bit av a
shower to-day at noon?"
Dolores and Webster nodded. Don
Juan, after CHANGING cautiously around,
lowered his voice and continued: II
was deliyerln' IA cablegram fer Leber,
an me course took me past the palace
gate-whiCh, be the same token, has
sinthry-boXes both inside an out, wan
on each side ay the gate. The sinthry
was not visible as | came along, an
what Wit the shower comm as sud
dint as that. an me wit a wardrobe
that's not SO eXtinSive | can afford to
get ii wet, | shtepped into wan av the
outside Sintry-boXeS till the rain
should be over, an what wit a dhrink
av %aguardiente I'd took to brace me
for the "Trip, an the mimory av auld
times, | fell asleep.
Dear knows how long | sat there
mapping; all | know is that | was
awakened by the sound av three men
talkin, at the gate, an divil a word
did they say but what | heard. They
were talkin' in Spanish, but | I'M
dherShtoOd thin well enough. He's at
the Hotel Mateo,' says wan voice. an
his name is Webster-Jawn Webster.
He's an American, an a big, savage
lOOkin' lad at that, so take me advice
an be careful. DO We two keep an
eye on him wherever he goes. an II
he should shtep out at night an wan
dher trough a dark shtreet, do sc two
see to it that he's put where he'll not
interfere again in Don Felipe's affairs.
No damn gringo'-beggin' yer par
don, Miss-can interfere in the
wurrk av the intelligence bureau at q
time like this, in addition to insultin'
our honored chief, wit'out the neces-
sity av bein' measured for a coffin
Isl, mi general says another lad, an
ITO be sure, mi general says a third;
an wit that the gineral, bad cess to
him, whit back to the palace an the
other two walked on up the Gale an
away from the s%inthry-box."
"Did you come out and follow
them Webster demanded briskly.
Path, | did. Wan av them Is
Francisco A~rredondo, a young cavalry
lOotinint, an the other wan Is Captain
Jose Benevides, him that do be the
best pistol-shot an s~wordsman In the
spiggoty army"
what kind Of looking man Is this
Benevides, my friend?"
"A tall, thin young man, Wit a
dudes mOuStache an a diamond ring
on his right hand. He do be whittier
nor most. Have n care would We meet
him around the city an let him pick
a fight wit We. An have a care, sor,
would We go out av a night"
THANK you, Don Juan. You're the
soul Of kindness. What else do you
know?"
well" Don Juan replied with a
naive grin, 81 did know somethin' else,
but shure, Misther Geary advised me
to forget 1t. | was wit him in the
launch last night"
Webster stepped out Of the veranda
and laid a friendly hand on Don Juan
Cafetero's shoulder. Don Juan" he
said gently, I'm going back to the
United States very soon. Would you
ike to come with me?"
Don Juan's watery eyes grew a
shade mister, If possible. He shook
his head. "NVhln I'm dhrunk here,
sor," he replied, n var pays any at
tintion to me, but in America they'd
give me ten DAYS in the hoosegow
wanst a week. Thank you, sor, but I'll
shtay here till the finish"
He knew the strength Of the De-
mon and had long since ceased to fight
even a rear-guard action. Webster
put a hand under the stubby chin and
tilted Don Juan's head sharply. Hold
up your head" he commanded.
You're the first Of your breed | ever
saw who would admit he was whipped.
Here's five dollars for sou-ive dol
airs gold. Take il and return with the
piece intact tomorrow morning, Don
Juan CafcterO."
Don Juan C~afetero's wondering
glance met Wcbster's directly, wavered,
sought the ground, but at a jerk on
his chin zane back and-stayed.
Thus for at least ten seconds they
gazed at each other; then Webster
spoke. "Thank YOU" he said.
Sfe name is John J.. Cafferty," the
lost n quavered.