Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

NOT SO GOOD. Pete grabbed the door-knob, and turned it hurriedly; it was caught in some way, and he gave a lunge against the door. The jar knocked the horseshoe loose, and it fell, striking Pete on the shoulder. It bounced off and struck Bones on the back. Bones jumped up and gave Pete a quick bite on the leg. This was too much. Pete turned and kicked Bones about ten feet. Then he picked up the horseshoe and threw it at him. Saturday afternoon came, bringing with it many misgivings for Pete. The lodge members were going to insist at the meet- ing that night that.the money in the treas- ury be paid over to Mr. Hooper as initial payment for the promised lodge uni- forms. About three o’clock Pete slipped down to a little saloon on a back street to get a drink. He was afraid to go to his favor- ite hangout, the Railroad Saleon, for the reason that Big Gun was usually to be found there. Just as he started to enter the place he heard a voice that he recog- nized. ‘“T’s bad medicine, dat’s whut I is. I’s bad medicine, an’ I’s gwine make anybody pow’ful sick whut. projecs’ wid me. Is anybody seed dat ol’ niggah Pete aroun’ heah? I’s gwine muss dat ol’ niggah up some fus’ thing he knows.”’ Pete’s thirst told him good-by. He al- most broke his back putting on the reverse, and brushed a squatty little negro to one side as he leaped down the steps. the squatty negro regained his balance, Pete was a block away and still accelera- ting. About five o’cleck Joe Wallace found Pete at his little home. ‘““ Mistah Pete, I’s got sumpthin’ to tell you.” _‘T Enews too much a’ready.”’ ‘‘ Dey ain’t gwine be no meetin’ o’ de ledge to-night.” Pete’s face brightened. “How come?” ‘New preacher come to town an’ ev’y- body gwine to heah him. Lodge meetin’ ws been excused till Wednesday mght. De When - 167 preacher is gwine preach ev’y night till den.” ‘‘ Preachers is good men to come along “ule limes,” said Pete sincerely. * You ain’ heerd de other news yit, is you?” ‘““What’s dat?” ‘“ Dey say Big Gun is fixin’ to git mar- ried an’ -go to det States.”* Pete turned ashy. “Who he gwine marry?” “ Rosina Hogg.” ‘“ Dat fat Jamaica gal?” ‘Dat’s de one.” “ Uhuh!” ‘Big Gun is drinkin’ pow’ful lot dese days, an’ de niggahs all says he seems mad wid you’ bout sumpthin’.” ‘* Dat’s jes’ niggah news. got no cause to be mad with me. I ain done nothin’ to him.” ‘Sho’ you ain’. You’d be daid if you had.” ; Pete wriggled around like a worm in a hot sand-pile. This news about Big Gun did not serve to set his mind at rest. He wished Joe would go away. He wanted to be alone. But Joe was not yet ready to go. ‘“Mistah Pete, whut you reckon dese niggahs would do wid you if sumpthin’ wuz to happen to de lodge money Big Gun is mindin’?”’ ‘“ Happen—auh? wh’ ‘“Dey’d jes’ ‘* Ain’ nothin’ gwine happen to dat lodge money, no suh.” ‘* Sho’, I knows dat.” ‘“ What foh you makes dem slanderin’ remarks foh, den?” ‘*°Tava’n’t no slanderin’ remarks, Mis- tah Pete. I wuz jes’ wonderin’. know how niggah’s laks to wonder. Dey’s wonderin’ people.” ‘Better wonder ‘bout sumpthin’ else. I'll do all de wonderin’ dat’s necessary ‘bout dat ledge money.” “You sho’ would do some wonderin’ ifn anythin’ wuz to happen to it. Dat you would.” ‘“"Twouldn’t be you.” Big Gun ain’ Lodge money? Uh- ‘bout kill you, wouldn’t > You - LAOO = a CO (CO)