The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-11
KID HORTON'S ROLE
"A s THE gathering dusk dlmmed th N K i

A $ THE gathering dusk dimmed the A outlines of the Texas prairies, Kid
 Horton rapped loudly on the ranch-house door, In view of his mis- sion. knocking was perhaps useless formality but the Kid was not without his ideas of decorum. A white-aproned, white-haired old lady answered hls lm- petuous summons and stood in the door way. only faintly distinguishabls ln the ebbing light.
 Madam" explained the Kid, remov- ing his hat, you are listening to COT lector of the excess-profits tax. These three gentlemen with me are my depu- ties. We hear that the head of this establishment don't trust the banks ana that he keeps the royalty from thirty. seven. or maybe it's sixty-seven. oil wells tide up in a pillow case behind the pantry door. We want to snare I~1r good fortune. Now. will you show us the long green without argument or will you force us to insist!
 "Then you ain't the doctor?' the old lady gasped.
 "Only the doctor of finances" re- turned the Kid, pushing past her into the darkness of the room. Lets hgnt up and have look. It's the money we're after. see? The money"
 He struck a match and applied it to a lamp. In the flickering light the old lady pazed upon him with terror-round- ed eyes. Robbers !" she gasped.
 "We never use that term, laughed the Kid tightly, Ut ain't aesthetic, as they say. Now trot out the old wool sock with the filthy lucre. You've got more coming in and we'll put this Into circulation"
 'The money!" the old lady gasped. ''You can't have it! He's watching! He cant last! The doctor ought to De here."
 "Say," demanded the Kid impatiently. "what kind of drammer stuff you glv- ing me-" raised q cautioning finger. "Please, Mr. Robber, don't talk so loud. He's dan gerous. The money-it's i'll there with him. It'd kill him. No excitement the doctor said. He's saving the money to hunt for Sammy. Advertise III all the papers, he says. Sammy Il come home when he reads it.. You mustn you can't disturb him."
 Do I gather from your talk that the old mans sick and it'd upset him tt fork over the kale?" asked the Kid.
 Its under the mattress, MT. Rob ber," she continued tensely. And ltc kill him. That's all he lives for-te find Sammy"
 well, now, people that keep moneI in he'd instead of the bank have funny ideas" declared the Kid. Lets take look at the old gent Maybe l can joll! him into the notion of giving it up"
 In the lamplight of the adjoinini room the Kid scrutinized the pallid fac' on the pillow moment, then tlptoe( back to his comrades. :.
 "Boys." he said, "the old mans abou to cash in. We'll not pull this dea tonight"
 A mumbled chorus of protest greeted his words.
 Whats eatin' on ye, Kid? neve seen you show no sentiment before.
 Say" retorted the Kid, who's pi lotin' these fnaneuvers, anyhow! We'r not going to pull this deal tonight get that''
 A hand touched his coat sleeve light ly. The white-haired old lady stoo' beside him. Il heard" she said, "and I know why You'ye been sent in answer to m l prayer. Ile tdH IlNc 'llI N' he calls for Sammy. I've prayed am prayed that Sammy'd come. But h won't now. Will you do it? Tell hin you're Sammy. It's deceit but Go will forgive. And every cent in tn bag" she touched his arm appealngly "every cent is yours if he dies happy
 Kid turned to his companions.
 Ed, come in with me. You other ,roit in thp car
 Kid drew a chair to the bedside an took the shriveled hand in his. Blu there was defiance in the old man eyes.
 II heard it all bit ago" he sait unsteadily. You're thief come t steal the money. Now if Sammy wa here"
 Say, now," interrupted the Kid dis paragingly, we didn't know you wa sick"
 You knowed you hadn't ought t steal" accused the voice weakly.
 We didn't know you was going t use the money" insisted the kid, Wv thought you was just common misel