The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1922-11-23

mans got too much money Tor yo
ever to be up against 1t. Dick. yoV
couldn't have gone to the bad9
| A tide Of emotion surged over Gale
How good It was to meet a friend
someone to whom to talk! He hat
never appreciated his loneliness unit
that moment.
"George, how I ever drifted dow
here I don't know. l didn't exactl!
quarrel with the governor. But
d--n It, Dad hurt me-shamed me
| and | dug out for the West. 1t wa!
this way. After leaving college I trlet
to please him by tackllng one thinl
after another that he set me to do
On the square, had no head fol
business. l made a mess Of every
thing. The governor got sore. When
I quit-when I told him straight Out
that l was going west t. fare for my
self, why, It wouldn't have been So
tough if he hadn't laughed at me. He
said i couldn't earn a dollar-that I'd
starye out west, and couldn't get back
home unless | sent to him for money
He said he didn't believe l could
fght-could really make fight for
anything under the sun Oh-he--he
shot it into me all right"
Dick dropped his head upon his
hands, somewhat ashamed Of the
smarting dimness in his eyes.
Eight" cried Thorne. hotly.
whats ailing him? Didn't they call
you Biff Gale in college7 Dick, you
were one of the best men Stagg ever
developed"
1.-THE governor didn't count foot
ball." said Dick. HE didn't mean that
kind Of a fight. When | left home I
don't think | had an Idea what was
wrong Of me. But, George, I think
know now. was rich mans son
spoiled, dependent, absolutely igno.
rant Of the value Of money. l haven't
yet discovered any earning capacity in
me. I seem to be unable to do any.
thing with my hands. That's the
trouble. But I'm at the end Of my
tether now. And I'm going to punch
cattle or be a miner, or do some real
stunt-llke Joining the rebels"
"Aha! | thought you'd spring that
last one on me-" declared Thorne,
waggfng his head. well, you Just
forget 1t. Say, old boy, there's some.
thing doing in Mexico. The United
States In general doesn't realize It.
But across that line there are crazy
revolutionists, ill.paid soldiers, guer.
rllla leaders, raiders, robbers, outlaws,
bandits galore, starving poems by the
thousand, girls and women In terror.
Mexico Is like some Of her volcanoes
ready to erupt fire and he'll! Don't
make the awful mistake Of joining fine
rebel forces. II you didn't starve or
get shot in ambush, or die of thirst,
some Greaser would knife you in the
back for your belt buckle or boots.
There are a good many Americans
with the rebels eastward toward Aqua
Prieta and Juarez. Orozco is Operat.
Ing in Chihuahua, and l guess he has
some idea of warfare. But this Is So.
nora, a mountainous desert, the home
Of the slave and the Yaqui. There's
unorganized revolt everywhere. We're
patrolling the boundary line. We're
making grand bluff. l could tell you
of a dozen instances where cavalry
should have pursued raiders on the
other side of the line. But we won't |
do 1t. The officers are a grouchy lot
these days. You see, Of course, what !
significance would attach to United |
States cavalry going into Mexican ter.
ritory. There would simply be he'll. |
My own colonel IS the sorest man on |
the job. We're all sore. It's like sit.
thing on powder magazine. We can't |
keep the rebels and raiders from cross. |
Ing the line. Yet we don't fight. NV
commission expires soon, I'll be dis.
charged in three months. You can !
bet I'm glad for more reasons than
I've mentioned"
Thorne was evldentl, laboring IN.
her strong. suppressed excitement,
His face showed pale under the tan,
and his eyes cleaned with a dark fire.
lie had seated himself at table near
me OF the doorlike windows leading
INTO the street, and every little while
'e would glance sharply out. Also he
;ept consulting his watch.
These details gradually grew upon
iale as ThOrna talked
George, it strikes me that you're
pset,' said Dick, presently. II seem
0 remember you as a cool.headed
elbow whom nothing could disturb.
las the army changed you"
Thorne laughed. II was 4 laugh
nth a strange, high note. II was
eckless-it limited Of exaltation. He
eered out one window, then another.
lis actions we're rapid. Returning to
ne table, he put bis hands upon Il
nd leaned over to look closely into |
ale's face. Il
I'm away from camp without
ave- he said.
isn't that 4 serious oitensep
,ked Dick.
Serious? For me. II I'm discov.
ed. 1t means ruin. There are rebels
town. Any moment we might have
'uble. l ought to Be ready for duty
within call. II I'm discovered Il
'ans arrest. That means delay
failure Of my plans-ruin."
ChoynA hAn< nxn. nIn.n~ ,,,Al L.