10-Story Book, July 1931 — page 51: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

10-STORY BEGINS ITS 30TH SUCCESSFUL YEAR! 49 about the sportiest negro in Honduras. He was always dressed in immaculate white ducks; more flashy ties, and sported many not-quite diamonds. This was a great jar to Pete’s nerves. Pete’s latest grievance against Goodtimes was due to the fact that Goodtimes had al- most done him out of some money. For a long time Pete had owned a little piece of eround on the east side of Tela, well out of town, on a little hill, back from the beach a ways. No one ever considered the land of any particular value, and no one knew or cared how Pete came in possession of it. His title, however, was perfectly clear, and the land was his. Pete had become financially embarrassed, and after trying several people for a loan without success, had secured a loan of fifty dollars from Goodtimes, putting up the land as security. Time for payment came close to hand, and Pete didn’t have the money to take up the mortgage he’d given on the land. Goodtimes had absolutely refused to give him any additional time. Then, greatly to the surprise of Goodtimes, Pete had paid him the money and taken up the mortgage, the day before it was due. And then, two days before Goodtimes’ visit to Pete, the old man had sold the land to Potlicker Dan. Apparently Goodtimes was very anxious to get in touch with the purchaser. Peter was nearing the Railroad Saloon, where, incidentally, Goodtimes Harris had long since ceased to work, when he was ac- costed by Kid Scoot, a perfect giant of a man, who had somewhat of a reputation as a prizefighter. Pete and Kid were reputed to be excellent friends. “Say, Pete, does yuh know whuh Pot- licker Dan is at?” Pete shook his head slowly. “Huh! ’Pears lak ev’ybody wants Potlicker Dan dis mawnin’. What does you want wid him?” Kid looked interested. “‘Who else wuz it wanted to see him?” Pete hesitated a moment. ‘“Goodtimes Harris.” Kid grunted. “I might a known it. I’s in trouble, Pete. You see it’s lak dis. Me an’ Goodtimes is bofe o’ us in love wid de same gal, Miss Crystal Eubanks, whut lives down de street dah, an’ cooks foh de white fo’ks on de other side o’ de river. Goodtimes ain’ hones. He done got it in his head dat Crystal is got some money saved up, an’ he done made it known dat he gwine ter marry her to git dat money. I jes’ wants de gal. Miss Crystal don’t know ’bout whut Goodtimes is said, an’ I’s skeered she'll jes’ think I's jealous if’n I tells her. She done specified dat de one o’ us whut buys dat piece o’ lan’ whut use to b’long to you, an’ buil’s a house on it, gwine have de bes’ chance wid her. I's tryin’ to fin’ Potlicker Dan. An’ so is Good- times.” Pete knew all about Goodtimes’ remark about marrying Crystal and getting her money; so did Crystal. “Uh, huh!” Pete laughed. “I hopes you wins, Kid.” “T got to. I jes’ got to have dat gal.” HE following day Goodtimes called on Pete again. “Seed Potlicker Dan yit?” he wanted to know. Pete shook his head. “Sho’ aint.” “Know whuh he is at? Pete laughed. “Mah goodness, Goodtimes, you is de most inquisitin’ man I evah seed. How come I gwine know whuh evah stragglin’ niggah is at?” Goodtimes coughed. “Miss Crystal Eu- banks is done specify to me dat she thought mebbe so you could find him. I spec’ you done heerd ’bout how ev’ything is wid me an’ Crystal, an’ Kid Scoot. I tell you whut I gwine do. Miss Crystal say dat if’n me nor Kid, one aint got de lan’ by Sat’day ebenin’ at fo’ o’clock, she aint gwine to have neider (Continued to page 51) CONMNICLOOOKS»CO mn