The Argosy, August 1905 — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

I washed the two cans thoroughly, filled them with water, and journeyed on. I walked, I suppose, about four miles more, drinking from the cams when ihirsty. Then I saw ahead a shanty on the side of the track. Going some distance farther, I saw a house and a little store. “ At last’ I said to myself joyfully, “JT am in luck. I won't have to sleep out in the desert to-night. Wonder what place that is.” 7 The first building I reached was the little box-like affair near the track. The door stood open, and looking inside | saw a man of about forty sitting there with his feet on a box and a pipe in his mouth. “Do, stranger. Tramped fur?” was his greeting. “Not very far,’ I answered; “ only from the wreck.” “Holy smoke! Did they leave you behind ? ” “Yes. But I don’t mind a little thing like that.” “Come in. Tl flag a train fer ye.” “But I have lost everything. My baggage and money and ticket are all in the train.” This was a random shot, for I did not know whether it was a passenger train or another freight that hit us. “Wall, ye kin git them any time. Fil explain ter the conductor.” I began to feel as if I had been hurled into luck after all. ““ What place is this?” I asked. “This yar place? Why, this is Green’s Corners.” “ Are you the station-master ? ” “ Wall, sorter. Ye see this aim’t noth- in’ but a flag station. I’m all they is to it. “T see a store. Whose is that?” “Oh, that store over yer? That’s Green's.” ** Post office?” “Yep. Mail oncet a week.” * Who lives in that house over there on the knoll?” “Oh, that one over there? Green lives thar.” “Ts that the only house around?” “Oh, they’s some farms along ther road.” 114 THE ARGOSY. “T see. And Green keeps the store. Where do you live? ” *T live over thar in Green’s house.” He took aim at a huge fly and its life went out in a flood of tobacco juice. Oh, board with him, eh? ” “Nope. Ain't rich enough to board nowhar. I’m jest Green.” “Oh, I understand now,” I said. “ And is Green’s Corners in Texas?” “Yep. Jest a few miles this side er Hewsting.” I did not ask him which side of Hous- ton we were on, but wondered. * You look like a likely feller,” he said. “ What you carryim’ that bag fer?” *“T found it down the track. Some tramp had it, of course. I found some canned goods in it. There are cans of beef, some of salmon, and some of to- ma toes.” “Do tell! Wall, wall! Pretty good livin’? fer a tramp! Must ha’ stole em.” “Yes. The cans are not touched. They could go right on your shelves, Mr. Green.” ; “ By gol, they could! Don’t ye want em ? 29 “No. You see, I don’t know the country very well. I am going out to take a look at a big ranch I own in Ari- zona. You don’t think there will be any trouble about the train, do you, Mr. Green? ” “Naw. *Tain’t like askin’ fer a ride. You paid fer a ride, an’ ther company went an’ dumped you off m the desert. Pu fix that.” “Was the passenger engine hurt much?” “Bunged up pretty well. Yes, bunged up, but she could go on. They'll send a gang back after the cars.” “About how far is this from Ari- zona?” I asked the accommodating Mr. Green. “I dnow exact. It’s a long way.” “Will there be a passenger train to- “Not a good one. Not yourn. You Jest wait to my house over night and let me fix yer up.” I accompanied Mr. Green to his store. Apparently nothing had been disturbed in some time, for everything was covered ; te