Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-10-31
CHAPTER !
Old Friends.

Old Friends.
Richard Gale reflected that his So
journ in the West had been what his
disgusted father had predicted
idling here and dreaming there, with
no objective point or purpose.
It was reflection such as this, only
more Sc, ,ious 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.
1t was after dark one evening In
early October when Richard arrived
in Casita. There was jostling, jab-
bering sombreroed crowd of Mexicans
around the railroad station. he felt
as IL he were In a foreign country.
After while he saw several men OF
his nationality, one Of whom he en-
gagged to carry his luggage to a 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.
ctemeut.
Gale was almost at the end Of his
financial resources, which fact occa-
stoned him 10 turn away from'a pre-
tentious hotel and ask his guide for
a cheaper lodging house. When this
was found, sight Of the loungers In
the office, and also desire for com.
fort, persuaded Gale to change his
travelling clothes for rough outing
garb 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. Ana he said I'd be
coming home beaten. There he's
wrong. I've got a hunch that some
thing II happen to me III this Greaser
town."
He went oIt into the wld,, white.
washed, high-ceiled corridor, and
from that into an immense room
which, but for pool tables, bar and
benches, would have been like
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 u. six men round a little table
fcur Of wrom were seated, the other
two standing. These last two drew
a second glance from Gale. The
sharp-featured br0nzed faces and
piercing eyes, the tall, slender. loosely
tointed 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
0red scarfs the high-topped, high
heeled boots with great Sllver-r0weled
spurs.
He satisfied his hunger in restau-
rant adjoining, and as he stepped
back into the saloon man wearing
q military cape jostled him. Apollo
gies from both were instant. Gale was
moving on when the other stopped
short as If startled, and, leaning for
ward, exclaimed:
"Dick Gale? If this isn't great!
Don't you know mef"
'Ive 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
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. 81 must not he
recognized here. There are reasons.
I'll explain in minute. Say, but it's
fine to see you! Five years. Dick, five
years since 1 saw you run down Uni
verSity field and spread-eagle the
whole Wisconsin football team"
"Don't recollect that replied Dick,
laughing. George, III bet you I'm
gladder to see you than you are to
see me. 1t seems so long. You went
into the army. didn't you?"