The Washington times., 1938-01-27

O-~-b
falls in the class everybody else
is in. To be tolerated, not liked"
POGO just looked at the noun
tains and said nothing and the
silence dragged. Finally Kate
said. I'm sorry I said that. It
was none Of my business. ]
hardly know you"
POGO said sardonically, without
looking at her, Go on. It sounds
like we're married"
Instead of getting angry, Kate
did not speak, and POGO looked
at her, puzzled.
Kate said, what has happened
to you?"
Nothing" POGO still regarded
her with his insolent stare
whats happened to you? ]
thought I was minding my own
business until you came along.
KATE NEEDS LOVE
Kate laughed uneasily. Moth
ing, I guess. Only I'VE been up
here all winter, seeing the same
faces, getting to know these men.
And then you come up from be,
low. You've been with people,
lots of people. and you moved
around through lots Of country
But Shelton is close-mouthed
never speaks unless to answer a
question. And you"
"What about me?"
"I've watched YOU since you first
came up. You built up a wall OF
reserve every time I tried to talk
to you. I like laughter and fun
and people my own age and
and consideration. She paused.
"I wonder. Is the whole world
getting like this? Surly and I'M
likable?"
"It always has been," POGO said
"Have you ever stopped to think
that people like you on first
sight?" Kate asked. "You could
make friends, lots Of them, if you
weren't like a porcupiner"
1--WE got a job, enough money,
what it takes to live" POGO replied.
What else do I need?"
What do you?" Kate echoed.
II know what L need. I need love
and-and respect, and affection
and some one to lean on"
you're a woman"
dad does, too. He pays it back,
though. He helps people, tries to
be kind and tolerant and just. He's
kept these men in harmony all
winter. He saw what temptation
it was for them to be mining a
fortune every week and only draw
ing wages for it, just because
somebody else had luck. Do you
know what he did?"
mo"
"He fought for a thousand dol
lar bonus for every man. He got 1t
for them from Abe McCandleSs
These men would die for him
now."
IOLERAl1ON
POGO said, "Give one of them a
gun, enough shells. a key to your
door, the keys to the chest and a
chance to make a getaway, then
see. They might die for him if he
shot them. That's ALL"
Kate did not move, did not say
anything, but POGO had the feeling
that he was being reproved.
"I don't understand how you've
worked for this company as long
as you have" Kate said at last,
and there was no reproof in her
voice.
"I'm tough" POGO said tone
lessly. II earn my pay. I can
fight, I've got brains. I've got
CUTS"
isn't that what you said about
st. Vrain tonight?" Kate asked.
When POGO only shifted uncom.
fortably, she continued. II think
you admire him."
"I do" G
can outlaw?"
"That's chance" POGO said care
lessly. IF he'd been treated with
kindness and decency and"
"Toleration," Kate put in. "All
those things you were ridiculing
minute ago. If he'd had all
that when he needed it, he'd have
been a fine, strong, silent law
abiding man like you. Is that it?"
She turned and paused long
enough to say, maybe so. But if
he turned out like you, perhaps
he's better off where he Is. Good
night"
TAKE IT EASY. POGO
POGO felt his face hot as he
bade her good night. When she
was gone his lips lifted in a
soundleSS oath. A preacher-a
woman preacher who looked like
an angel and talked like a pious
circuit rider. What did she know
about men, about man that was
thrown on his own when he was
~ = l.