St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-11-04
HARPER
CHAPTER 1
Old Friends.

Old Friends. 49, .....-
Richard Gale reflected that his 10
1ourn in the West had been what his
disguised father had predicted
idling here and dreaming there, with
no objective point or purpose.
Il was reflection such as this, only
more serious and perhaps somewhat
desperate, that had brought Gale down
to the border. For some time the
newspapers had been printing news
Of the Mexican revolution, guerrilla
warfare, United States cavalry pa
trolling the International line, Ameri-
can cowboys fighting with the rebels,
and Wild stories Of bold raiders and
bandits. Regarding these rumors Gale
was skeptical. But as opportunity,
and adventure, too, had apparently
given him a wide berth in Montana,
Wyoming, Colorado, he had struck
southwest for the Arizona border,
where he hoped to see some stirring
life.
It was after dark one evening in
early October when Richard arrived
In Caslta. There was jostling, jab-
bering, sombreroed crowd Of Mexicans
around the railroad station. He felt
as If he we're In a foreign country.
After while he saw several men Of
his nationality, one Of whom he en-
gagged to carry his luggage to hotel.
OF the many people encountered by
Gale most were Mexicans. His guide
explained that the smaller half of
!, Casita lay in Arizona, the other half
In Mexico, and Of several thousand
inhabitants the majority belonged on
the southern side Of the street, which
was the boundary line. He also
said that rebels had entered the town
that day, causing a good deal of ex-
citement.
Gale was almost at the end Of his
financial resources, which fact occa-
stoned him to turn away from pre-
tentious hotel and ask his guide for
4 cheaper lodging house. When this
was found, sight Of the loungers In
the office, and also a desire for COM
fort, persuaded Gale to change his
travelling clothes for rough outing
sgarb and boots
''Well, I'm almost broke" he solilo-
quized, thoughtfully. 1.-THE governor
said wouldn't make any money. He's
right-so far. And he said I'd be
coming home beaten. There he's
wrong. I've got bunch that some
thing III happen to me In this Greaser
town."
He went out into the wide, white
washed, high-ceiled corridor, and
from that into an immense room
which, but for pool tables bar and
benches, would have been like a.
courtyard. Bare-legged, sandal footed
$Mexicans in white. rubbed shoulders
with Mexicans mantled in black and
red. There were black-bearded,
coarse-visaged Americans, some gam
bling round the little tables, others
drinking. There were khaki-clad cav
alrymen strutting in ana out.
At one end Of the room, somewhat
apart from the general melee, was a
group ~ six men round little table,
fur of wrC ON were seated, the other
two standing. These last two drew
second glance from Gale. The
sharp-featured bronzed faces and
piercing eyes, the tall, slender. loosely
3ointed bodies, the quiet, easy, reck.
less air that seemed to be part OF
the men-these things would plainly
have stamped them as cowboys with
out the buckled sombreros, the col
ored scarfs the high-topped, high
heeled boots with great silver-roweled
spurs.
He satisfied his hunger in a restau-
rant adjoining, and as he stepped
back into the saloon a man wearing
q military cape jostled him. Apollo
gies from both were instant. Gale was
moving on when the other stopped
short as II startled. and, leaning for
ward, exclaimed:
"Dick Gale9 II this isn't greatl
Don't you know mel"
"Tve heard your voice somewhere,
Replied Gale. maybe I'll recognize
you If you came out from under that
bonnet"
For answer the man, suddenly mani
Testing thought Of himself, hurriedly
drew Gale into the restaurant, where
he thrust back his hat to disclose Q
handsome, sunburned face.
'George Thorne! So help me"
"'S-s-ssh. You needn't YELL" inter.
rupted the other, as he met Gales
outstretched hand. There was close,
hard, straining grip. Il must not be
recognized here There are reasons.
I'll explain in minute. Say, but It's
fine to see you! Five years, Dick, ffve
years since saw you run down uni
versity field and spread-eagle the
whole Wisconsin football team"
''Don't recollect that replied Dick,
laughing. George, I'll bet you Tn
gladder to see you than you are to
see me. 1t seems so long. You went
Into the army, didn't your"
II did. I'm here now with the
Ninth cavalry. But-never mind me.
What'rc you doing way down here?' :
ION the square, George, don't
know any more why I'm here than
than you know"
"Well, that beats mel" CALCULATED
Thorne, sitting back in his chair,
amaze and concern in his expression.
"What the DEVILS wrong? Your old