The Argosy, August 1905 — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

* oo > ¥ _ = ing seemed to be from an outer view. In this room there was a bed and two wooden chairs and a small table. On this table there were a few old papers on agriculture and grazing. In a corner there was a mesquite bush eut to form a sort of hall-tree, and on this there hung a coat, a sombrero, an old rifle, and a pistol. Near the tree stood a pair of heavy boots. The next room was about the same in size, and in this there was a table and two wooden chairs of the same make as those in the first room. Around the walls were pegs on which hung sides of bacon, a couple of hams, bunches of sage, dried apples, and other things I did not recognize. : In one corner of this room, the kitchen, a erude attempt had been made to build a closet in a corner. This was a triangular affair, with a door. On opening this, I discovered some dishes, knives, forks, and spoons. A few pots and pans were hanging near the old cook-stove that stood at one side, its chimney being a hole in the roof through which the stove-pipe went up straight. The spirit of adventure that seemed to go with the rest of my experience now settled upon me and I began to relish the joke my uncle had played on me. I had gone to a terrific lot of trouble to reach that ranch. I had worked like a slave on a ship; had smothered in cotton; had led; owed Vidal three weeks’ board; and now that I was here I determined to make the best of it. “ At any rate,’ I said, “‘1 must have some cattle and sheep. If the worst comes, I can eat them.” What bothered me was I saw no men. I wondered where Miguel, my superin- tendent, was. l was hungry. I hustled around, and back of the house found a small pile of gnarled pine sticks unfit for anything but firewood. I took some of these and found an old paper, and soon had a roar- ing fire. I sliced some bacon, and found some potatoes and cooked a couple of them. I found coffee, tea, and sugar. Half a ean of condensed milk was also in the a i boa rd. 1 to a room larger than the’ Cam myself. Supper over, it was growing dark and I began to feel rather lonesome. I lit my pipe, for with all my poverty I was never without a little tobacco, and went outside to smoke. I took a chair with me, and tilting against the adobe wall, leaned back and contemplated my future life. “It isn’t going to be the most hila- rious in the world,” I said to myself. “ But it is a living, and I'll wring some- thing from this old grass bakery before Iam through with it.” I heard the soft patter of an unshod horse, and turning saw a dark-featured fellow, apparently about my own age, galloping toward me. “You take him senor,” he said. “T feel as if I could take anybody’s life without any trouble at all,’ I re- plied. “ Live around here?” He laughed, showing two rows of white teeth. * Yes, I live here. you make free.” * Well, confound it, the thing is mine, so {[ suppose I can lean against it. Kyerything seems to be lean around here.” “Ho! lace!” * Well, I suppose I am a sefior to you. I own this blooming ranch, any way.” “Good! Ver’ good. I am Miguel Sebastian. I was superintendent for the old man.” ““Oh, you are Miguel, eh? Well, let me congratulate you on the faet that you speak English a heap better than you write it.” “St, senor. I talk with men and learn, but I never went to school.” “So that’s it. Well, Miguel, get off that horse, get a chair, and let’s con- verse happily upon the situation. Let us commune with each other about eat- tle and sheep, and sing a ditty about ‘the desert life is the life for me.’ Come, Miguel. Light upand talk.” He was applyimg a match to a cheroot. He let the horse wander where it get along, I reckon,” I said to easy, that life, But you! Senor, Then you are Senor Wal- mine. 5 re « 7 * would and got a chair, placing it near — »' 2 ’ to's comicbooks.com