Evening star., 1923-12-30


"Es heavy" complained the en-
sine-driver in his lugubrious English,
looking reproachfully at the clumsy
Dox. Es wort extra-to carry of
that kind between our 'ands."
Go on now, Esteban," growied
Mckeon. BE satisfied with your
graft, can't you? And get steam on
that old teakettla" He tossed a
lone, lean mail sack in before max
ing all fast.
The few ragged loungers who
squatted in the dust and rolled inter-
minable cigarettes out of newspaper
looked on with languid interest. 1t
was well known to them that the
tossing OF the mail sack was the sig
nal for departure. Senior McKeon al
ways performed the ceremony with
the mall sack when he was Just about
to abandon his duties as station
agent, shipping clerk, postmaster
and freight handler. and assume those
OF conductor, brakeman and express
messenger. And there would be no
other train for forty-e eight hours.
MeKeon walked to the forward step
and gave the signal. A doleful shrek
from the whistle responded as the
locomotive and two cars, with rattle
and clank, staggered out across the
plateau. Ticket pad and punch In
hand, McKeon stood in the doorway,
looking over his collection of passen-
gers from under bushy brows with
calculating eye.
The usual crowd, apparently. Small
planters from Buenaventura, small
tradesmen from the plateau villages,
chance workers in the mines. riff
raft of the mountains and the cattle
plains, a motley carful.
McKeon strolled down the aisle.
marking the faces. Instinctively he
graded his fares, from the coffee-eol-
ored mixtures of negro and Indian to
the lemon-hued mestizos. And as he
marked he scowled.
Tints, as racial emblems. had no
significance for McKeon. Eut in one
weighty particular he was concerned
with the complexion Of the patrons Of
the road. 1t had direct bearing upon
his profit from the trip. 1t was a
business consideration. And appar-
entity luck was not with him this day.
He noted an undue preponderance of
lighter skins. That meant, naturally,
more passengers who could not be
bluffed with safety into paying twice
the legal fare, more difficulty in fix
Ing arbitrary freight rates, and less
reward for hard-working function
ary like himself.
He was still gauging the possibili-
ties when he came to the rear of the
car and face showed out of the smoke
veil that had no part in the prevail
Ing color scheme. A young man
stood on the platform between the
cars. A little man, and white-not
only white, but pink. with a blue eye
that twinkled engagingly.
McKeon regarded him with casual
interest, noting the riding suit Of
ducks that managed to At so jauntily
and the brand-new hat that set so
snappily upon him. ~.
How're you, CONF" he inquired,
with ready address. IF it's all the
same to you, guess Til ride outside.
I'm not good on mixed f1avors, and
it's too various in there. Fine unch of
assorted ruffians you carry"
McKeon nodded. "Prospectin'?" he
inquired.
Silver" returned the other. lust
came down through the mountains.
Got through without a knife in
laughed. You don't see many Amer
leans this way. do you?"
mot dozen a year.
Like the job?"
McKeon twitched his shoulders.
Gotta like It." was his laconic
answer.
He slouched back into the car and
began to collect. The stranger lean
ed in the doorway to watch him.
4 X
IT was worthwhile to watch McKeon
In pursuit of his profession. Tall,
raw-boned, hard-eyed and bearded,
he lowered like a giant among the
natives. Money he took and money
he returned-sometimes. Tickets he
punched and distributed, to some.
But always without argument, imper-
turbable, deliberate.
Shrill protests fell to silence before
the slow glance. Expostulate hands
ceased to gesture at the shift Of those
big shoulders. There were few who
grumbled after he had dealt with
them. He proceeded by masterful
system of his own, did McKeon, based
on his knowledge of the people. And
the men who might have made diff
Guilty. recognized residents of the val
ley. had no cause to do so.
Only once was the transaction brisk
enough to interrupt the chatter and
- %af ~ =,
At the end section nearest the door
sat four men in rough mountain garb,
hardy citizens. who had numbered the
aisle with their knapsacks.
This is freight. senores," an
nounced McKeon, calmly. And he pro-
ceeded to fix price on the KNAPP
sacks.
/. One of the group. a thick, heavy
jawed individual, built like a weight
litter, objected vigorously. giving Nc
Keon eye for eye, as if testing him,
'Are you, then. sole owner of this
road?" he demanded. Must all give
money as You ask? And what II we
we will not payT'
McKeon gathered the bell rope
casually in his hand. THE senores
are at liberty to walk down with their
burdens" he answered. "I am told
the walking is excellent and very
good for the health"
The senores subsided and paid, mur-
muring one to the other.
When McKeon returned to the mid.
die platform the prospector was wait.
ing for him with gold piece. Nc
Keon took the money and returned
him the proper change on his fare
But he did not take the trouble tc
punch ticket. The prospector noted
that dAtaii with a whimsical smile