St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1922-11-04
AND oaovheaS.

that moment.
George, how I ever drifted down
here I don't know. I didn't exactly
quarrel with the governor. But
d-n it, Dad hurt me-shamed me,
and dug out for the West. It was
this way. After leaving college tried
to please him by tackling one thing
after another that he set me to do.
On the square, 1 had no head for
business. l made a mess Of every
thing. The governor got sore. When
qult-when I told him straight out
that I was going west t. fare for my
self, why, 1t wouldn't have been SO
tough If he hadn't laughed at me. He
said l couldn't earn dollar-that I'd
starve out west, and couldn't get back
home unless sent to him for money.
He said he didn't believe I could
fght-could really make a 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 dlmness In his eyes.
"Fightl'' cried Thorne, hotly.
"What's ailing him? Didn't they call
you Biff Gale In college2 Dick, you
were one Of the best men Stage ever
developed"
1.-THE governor didn't count foot
ball." said Dick. "He didn't mean that
kind Of a fight. When 1 left home I
don't think l had an idea what was
wrong Of me- But, George, think
l know now. was rich mans SON
spoiled, dependent, absolutely igno-
rant Of the value Of money. I haven't
yet discovered any earning capacity In
me. l 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 miner, or do some real
stunt-like joining the rebels"
"Aha! thought you'd spring that
last one on me-" declared Thorne,
wagging 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
revolutlonists, ill-paid soldiers, guer-
rilla leaders, raiders, robbers, outlaws,
bandits galore, starving poems by the
thousand, girls and women I'm terror.
Mexico is like some of her volcanoes
ready to erupt fire and hell! Don't
make the awful mistake Of joining the
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 / guess he has
some idea Of warfare. But this Is So
nora, 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. 1could tell you
OF a dozen instances where cavalry
should have pursued raiders on the
other side of the line. But we won't
do it. 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 hell
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 Ny
commission expires soon. I'll be dis
charged in three months. You can
bet I'm glad for more reasons than
I'VE mentioned s
Thorne was evidently laboring un-
der strong, suppressed excitement.
His face showed pale under the tan,
and his eyes cleaned with dark fire.
He had seated himself at table near
one Of the doOrlike windows leading
into the street, and every little while
he would glance sharply out. Also ne
kept consulting his watch. II
These details gradually grew upon
Gale as Thorne talked.
George, it strikes me that you're
upset." said Dick, presently. II seem
to remember you as cool-headed
fellow whom nothing could disturb.
Has the army changed your
Thorne laughed. It was laugh
with strange, high note. 1t was
%reckless-it limited Of e1altatton. He
peered out one window, then another.
His actions were rapid. Returning to
the table, he put his hands upon 1t
and leaned over to look closely into
Gales face.
"I'm away from camp without
leave" he said.
isn't that a serious onensef'
asked Dick.
SERIOUS? For me, II I'm discov-
cred. It means ruin. There are rebels
In town. Any moment we might have
trouble. l ought to be ready for duty
within call. If I'm discovered It
means arrest. That means delay
the failure Of my plans-ruin."
Thorne bent over closer with hts
dark eyes searchingly bright.
~What would you say, Dick Gale,
IL told you that you're the one man
I'd rather have come along than any
other at this crisis Of my life 2
The earnest gaze, the passionate
voice with Its deep tremor drew Dick
upright, thrilling and eager, conscious
Of strange, unfamiliar impetuosity.